Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1917-03-01
n COMMUNICATION.
70 the Editor Of the ST. MARY J

To the Editor OF the ST. Mary
BEACON -
have very briefly pointed out that
the people of the City Of baltimore are
sconrged, as it we're with whips OF
scorpions, through the misuse of pow
ers of taxation, through turning over
for private exploitation public rights
and franchises, and through deliver
ing government into the hands of ma
chimes which conduct in primarily In
their own interests. Because Balti-
more Is sinner In these respects to a
degree greater than any progressive
city in the United States, because the
citizens Of Baltimore to an extent be-
yond those OF any other part of Mary
land display the unconscious cruelty
of great wealth, let 1t not be thought
that the counties are guiltiess. Their
offenses against the we'll being of their
citizens are in the matter of taxation
and this is the best that can be said
for them-not greater or different from
those of practically all other counties
in the United States.
Taxation furnishes the fife-blood OF
government. II has been said that all
the great battles for liberty have been
fought over 1t. Certain IL Is that the
struggles to do away with the feudal
system we're efforts TO deprive great
lords OF their powers OF taxation,
though not always so described. The
English revolution of 1910 was con
test ON the part of the Commons to
control taxation. The American reyo-
luton was primarily based upon the
fight OF the taxpayer 10 determine his
own taxes. The French revolution
was fight against enforced taxes.
The spring Of action in the movement
OF mankind toward q higher eiyilIza-
ton for several hundred years past,
had little basis other than the question
of taxation, and withsl We have not
get advanced much beyond careiessly
following the dictum OF the French
minister who said that the Science
OF taxation seemed 10 be TO pluck from
the goose the largest amount Of ieath-
ors with the least amount Of squaNk-
( ing
/ In some parts Of the Union the IN.
dustrious goose has commenced 10
squawk about the needless robberios
Of feathers, but has hardly pceped Ia
Maryland. baltimore kisses the hand
that plucks and the counties generally
do not know that they are robbed, a
mere discussion Of possible evils 80
taxation AFFECTS many 81 their citizons
with cold shiycrs.
Consider for a moment the asaocla-
ton between liberty and local taxa
ton Liberty means something nore
than the right 10 put a slip 81 paper
I n the ballot box IL means ihe hnoh-
slructed right to own ones self, 10 pot
ones faculties 20 iheir best uSe, 20
iercate, ~ build, to manufacture, to set
nature a, work according ~ ones vii,
without lea or hindranee ~ any point
! IN also means, Of course, freedom oi
/ speech and Of the press, freedom ot
movement and a right 70 think what
over one viii. whether It be pleasing
70 the majority OF not u am right
| LEI us scc whether ve have liberty ia
Maryland, is state or county,
n I desire to make purchase Of a
merchant or lumber dealer, ! iuay moi
do SO until be has paid largo taxes
upon his stock 10 trade and Oft times
| licenses for the privilege 10 do bust.
ness. My free right to trade with him
in respects thas might be useful To me
and bcbeiicial to him Is checked. Ills
right 10 buy and TO sell, as natural g.
4 is that Of breathing and as essential e
his liberty, Is hamperrd and almost
destroyed 10 many eases. lie would
like to do thing advantageous 10 Tbs
community and to himself, and lhs
community compels him 10 pay for she
right as II IL vert a privilege.
II having completed my purchases
from the merchant or iamberinan,
take the things so bought and frame
them into the form oi house, ms
taxes are increased not onrc but iol
rs many years as the house may stand.
! Protection against the winters cold
and the summers heat, therefore, is
not freely enjoyed as right bul
bought as a privilege. The possibiil'
/ by Of my employing my fellows under
circumstances advantageous TO botf
sides is diminished.
So II / furnish my house fnd IN,
State and county at every stage In ths
production of the furniture would
buy have levied their toll upon pro
duction and interiered by licenses and
personal taxes with the freedom Of IA,
producer 10 selling aud my freedom
In purchasing.
II / an possessed OF q tract Of lane
and piow and fertllize 1t; II ! bnilt
fences around 1t; II plant fruit treei
and develop an orchard; II iuruisl
my farm with live stock the better u
enable human beings 10 live; II ! bailt
silos; II | beautify my place by settinl
out roses and lilacs and shade trees
IN every instance my liberty to do thes'
things is restrained by taxation, ant
finally for every increased dollar o
valuation that comes from such exer
else OF my industry, the state ant
| ao,,ntv Ia la naa az, two aoY,Ae mar vaal