The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1909-04-02
Mississippi's Too Generous Offer.

generous proposition than that EN-
bodied in a Mississippi representa-
tive's bill to levy tax of 50 on pistols,
dirks, knives and brass knuckles, for
the benefit Of the national treasury.
When we reflect that the greater
part Of the National tax would come
from the representatives own part
Of the country, we can better appre-
ciate the self-sacrificing nature Of
the offer made. If there existed
even semblance of the ancient mis-
understanding between the North
and the South, the surprising will
lingness Of the southern representa-
tive to have the South assume a dis
proportionate part of the national
burdens should Danish it at once.
1t Is unnecessary to dwell upon
the revenue producing qualities Of
such tax. Estimates as to the
number of deadly weapons that a
southern colonel or major or even
untitled citizen has in his armory
vary; but it is generally admitted
that the total is tremendous from
the northern viewpoint. The col
lection intended for his own personal
use is, of course, increased by the
numerous weapons with a history
transmitted from previous genera
tions and preserved las cherished,
heirlooms.
There is, for instance, the long,
piratical looking cap-and-ball duel
ing pistol, which figured in the af-
fair between the Colonels father
and Major Blood. They were after
wards good friends, though the Ma
jor limped little on damp days.
There is another pair with ornament
ed silver handles that came from
England. Everything was ready,
but mutual friends brought about
an arrangement The lady after
ward married Henry Clondesly, of
Lebanon, Tenn, old General Clon-
desley's son by his first wife, Miss
Ann Barkletree, of the Georgia Bar
kletrees.
We may assume without question
that the tax would be popular in
the South. Southern representa-
tives are not in the habit of propos-
ing laws and taxes which are not ac-
ceptable to their constituents and
in conformity with the broader sem
timent Of the section" 1t is this
fact which makes the offer OF aid
in these days OF the treasury's en-
barrassment so touching. We're.
the idea to be taken simply as the
individual hobby of Representative
Sisson, the case would be quite
different.
Should the North accept the sac
rifice? Should 1t allow the South
on its own motion, to contribute an
annual sum to the treasury which
may place the nations revenues on
basis so stable that inheritance
taxes stamp taxes and other unusual
imposts will become superfluous?
Shall we allow our Southern breth-
rem generously to assume large
part Of the governmental burdens
which belong to us?
No! Let congress express in some
fitting way the national appreciation
Of this remarkable manifestation OF
the South's liberality and patriotism
Let the poets compare the offer with
the self-sacrifice of the Carthagen-
ian women who gave their hair tc
string the bows OF the city's defend.
ers. Let the historians remark thai
it makes the abnegation Of the Cur
thus who rode up into the chasn
and save Rome seem like cheap mel
odrama.
But while it is still possible TO,
the other sections Of the country t.
contribute their pro rata to sustain
the government, let them put asid'
the temptation which the southern
representative presents and refus'
to profit by the South's too generou