STATE REVENUES.
The House now took up the consideration of the Committee on Ways and Means revenue bill [H. R. 190] and read through by the Clerk.
Whereupon, the House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole - Mr. Higgins in the Chair - and took up the consideration of the bill [H. R. No. 190] to raise revenues for the years 1867 and 1868. The bill levies a tax of 20 cents on each $100, and 75 cents on each poll.
Mr. NEWCOMB said the Committee on Ways and Means, advising with the Auditor, came to the conclusion that it would be safe to make the reduction of assessments on property from 25 to 20 cents on the $100.
Mr. ROSS proposed to amend by striking out "75," and inserting "50" in lieu. The poll tax was the most distasteful and oppressive of all the powers of taxation, and he supposed it would not materially affect the revenue.
Mr. CRAIN. What amount of revenue would 20 cents raise?
Mr. NEWCOMB said a reduction of one-fifth was expected on personal property - none, of course, on real estate. It was estimated that the total revenue, deducting delinquencies, would be $1,118,968, which was $143,000 above the Auditor's estimate of expenses, leaving out the expenses of the Benevolent Institutions, &c.
Mr. KIZER commended the prudent considerations taken by the Committee; but desired, if possible, a lower rate per cent.
Mr. BIRD was in favor of the amendment. A poll tax is onerous on the poorer classes. From the statement of Mr. Newcomb, he thought the revenue would be sufficient with this reduction of the poll tax.
Mr. HARTMAN. With reference to all taxation, he said it was all in the nature of the poll tax at last: and whilst replying to objections to the poll tax, as such, he was (understood to favor the reduction.
Mr. Speaker BRANHAM hoped the amendment would not prevail. He did not think it was desired by any class of our people - even the poorer classes. How do you reach this class? Their political influence was as great - the very same - as that of the wealthiest class. And the only way they support the expenses of government was by this poll tax. His opinion was this; That the entire current expenses of the government should be met by the poll tax; and that property taxation should do the rest And this was the principle upon which the Committee on Ways and Means bad proceeded. Here was the only question with him: Was this poll tax more than this class can pay? He thought, of course, that the levy ought to be reduced to the lowest point possible. But the committee was groping in the dark somewhat, because the General Assembly had not determined whether there should be given all that the benevolent institutions ask. Neither has it been determined what shall be done with the Morgan raid claims and the military claims, which under the present system were not likely to be settled n a great number of years. With with reference to the soldiers' claims upon us, they ought to receive prompt attention. The weight of the war was a heavy burden upon the counties, and the State should relieve them as far as possible. There was hardly anything impossible to the energy of the American people; but the attempts being made in a high quarter to leap the chasm by a speedy return to a gold basis, he regarded as the course that would keep the country farthest from that result. Was there a man in the State fit to cast a ballot, who would be unwilling to pay for the policy which his votes have dictated?
Mr. STAFFORD combatted the assumption that a poor man has the same interest in the government as a rich man. The poll tax of 75 cents was a greater burden upon the poorer class than the entire tax upon the rich and well to do.
Mr. McFADIN counselled economy. But we could not legislate with reference to claims that may come in in the future. He considered that a 50 cents poll tax would be sufficient, and should be so taken. To whom little is given, but little should be required. And he eulogized their country's defenders - the bone and sinew class, upon whom the burdens of government should be made to rest as lightly as possible.
Mr. CHAMBERS demurred to the grudging remarks which might intimate that the poor man did not bear a sufficient tax burden to pay for the privilege of voting. He showed the disproportionate share of taxes which the poorer classes always pay; and while he was in favor of universal suffrage if he were to choose between the disfran- page: 147[View Page 147] chisement of the rich and the poor, he would say the former.
Mr. STEWART entertained a hope that the 20 cents could be reduced; and for that purpose he councelled sending the bill back to the Committee on Ways and Means, there to await the time when he may be able to make reliable estimates.
Mr. BAKER seemed to approve this course. The taxes were so enormous that he feared they could not be met.
Mr. NEWCOMB stated that the entire property tax would be $1,150,000.
Mr. BAKER. And add to this the sum of $30,000,000 required from the State of Indiana for federal taxation and the sum would involve a crushing burden which could hardly be borne. Taxes therefore should be raised when it would bear least heavily upon the masses. He was not prepared to vote on the amendment.
Mr. BELFORD. Would it not be better to keep this poll at 75 cents, and reduce the tax on property?
Mr. BAKER said he thought so. The producing interests of the county were taxed, especially for Federal purposes,which was a most objectionable form of taxation, and this, in fact, should be considered in making this levy.
Mr. NEWCOMB submitted a statement of figures, upon which the action of the Committee was based. The tax on property being reduced one-fifth, he would not now seriously object to the amendment offered by Mr. Ross.
The Committee then rose and the Chairman reported progress, and obtained leave to sit again.
The report was concurred in.
On motion by Mr. NEWCOMB, the further consideration of the bill was postponed, and it was made the special order for Tuesday at 11 o'clock.
