The Farmville herald. (Farmville, Va.) 1957-current, 1957-11-22

an November 23rd, 1866 one hundred
- and ninety years ago - the court
Of Frederick County, Maryland, ordered
that It's business should be carried on with
out the use of the stamped paper required
by the famous Stamp Act.
This day has become an annual observ-
ance in Frederick County and each year the
Daughters of the American Revolution
meet in the Court House on or about No
vember 23rd to again hear the decision read
by the Clerk of Court.
Parliament passed the Stamp Act and it
was approved by the King on March 22nd,
1865. 1t was to become effective November
lst After that date widespread protest in
the United States resulted and the Act was
printed in New York with deathshead at
the top instead Of the Royal Arms.
The tax was highly Objectionable because
it was high and because it affected SO many
items.
For example, the Act levied a tax Of
from threepence to ten shillings on legal
papers, college diplomas two pounds,
Charters issued by the Governors six
pounds, and licenses to sell wine four
pounds. Many other things We're taxed,
such as deeds, playing cards, dice, etc.
Printed papers Of single sheet had to pay
a tax Of one penny per sheet for every copy
Japs Sci
FROM Tokyo comes wire service report
that the price of real estate on Mars
has jumped five-fold since the Russians
launched their earth circling satellite
The Japan's Space Travel Association
WHICH is trying to stir up interest in trav-
cling through outer space, reports that it
has already sold more than 10000 acres on
Mars. Most of the land brought about fifty
five cents an acre.
Since the Russian satellite began circling
the earth, the sales have picked up and the
price per acre has increased ~ to about
1910.
OF course, there are few complications
in buying land on Mars and one of them is
the fact that the japanese may not get
there first. Another's the fact that some
body might be there already = although
scientists say not. Thirdly, the land will
probably not be worth anything after we
Constitution
nAN Daniel, National Commander of the
American Legion, point out very ef-
fectiyely people and organizations have
tried, over the years, to alter the Constitu-
ton Of the United States
Yet, Daniel points, the Constitution was
planned not just for the time it was drafted
Int frr oil
the system which we wish to last for ages,
we should not lose sight Of chances which
age will produce The people, through
their elected representatives, have APP
proved an average of only one amendment
to the Constitution in each seventeen and
half years, pretty convincing argument
in favor of the wisdom contained in the
Constitutions
The latest amendment was that limiting
Presidents to two four-year terms and
Nice-Presidents. who serve as President for
more than two years, to only one four-year
elected term.
Daniel points out that one of the great
est surrenders Of individual freedom came
about IN 1913. when Amendment XVI was
passed giving the Federal Government
practically absolute power over us in Civ
ing the government the power to "lay and
collect taxes on incomes from whatever
source derived Until this time the Consti
tuition did not permit Congress to lew I'M
equal taxes upon us as individual citizens.
This amendment was adopted in 1913 be-
cause it was said that the people would be
taxed only nominal one or two per cent.
There was no limitation, however, and
many corporations and some individuals
today are taxed in surprisingly high per
centage ratios.
In recent years we have seen ATTEMPTS
to circumvent the Constitution made bv
those who would pass treaties which would
supercede state and Federal laws. Also we
nave seen courts interpret the Constitution
to suit their yieWnOinfS ana act,.u ,,