Remonstrance against laws that allow bounties to be paid to volunteer soldiers

Mem No 26A.

Of N.H. Wood for repeal of law authorizing the payment of bounties to volunteers

24/1 Int by Mr. Peace Jud. Com, 26/1 Rep back Judef Post sec.

Com Rec on [Consideration?] of [justice?] Be indefinitely post poned

needed to pay the expenses of war, and not to interpose between the citizen, and the serves he owes to the Government; I trust that the law above referred to (whose workings [helie?] its title) will be speedily repealed and thus pray, your humble servant

N.A. Wood

Portage City Jun 18th 65

To the Honorable The Legislature of Wisconsin,

The members of your honorable Body doubtless have practical knowledge that in times of peace, our laws require that property shall be taxed, to maintain the population from infancy; to instruct growth and boyhood; to pay the expenses of Legislation for manhood; to convict, furnish, and maintain criminals; to maintain and amuse insanity; to comfort and sustain all people whose senses are imperfect; to build and maintain all edifices therefor; as well as all public edifices, for National, State, County, and Town organizations. That it shall support pamperism, inability, and old age. Moreover, it shall build all high ways, bridges, sidewalks, parks, and finally provide cemeteries for humanity.

These demands, with all the nice multiplications which by Legislative enactment, & judicial and official requirement, are added thereunto; have heretofore created taxation, fully equal to the ability of property holders; and nought but the bright and generally fancied halfes of our people, have enabled them to retain unproductive property for years past. But there is a further and more serious

demand upon property, caused by the folly, may the wanton inhabitants, of a former legislature, in enacting a law the practical working of which, requires of a property that it step in [distinct?] a mans duty as a citizen soldier; and depender of his country the Constitution;-and hire for him a substitute. This is the practical working of the law in rating taxes; all understand that the object is not to pay extra compensation to the soldier, or to his family; but solely for freeing the voter from the draft. Interposing between the demands of the government upon the services of the citizen retarding the efforts to fill quotas; and resulting in speculation and fraud in the Military departments. [Spiking?[ is the object of tax, and [shrinking?] has been the result of its operation, up to this the third time it has been tried. If your Honorable Body should repeal this law, all good citizens, all honest men, all productive classes, would thank you for it. But should you neglect its repeal, through the demagogue fears of any popular "time server", permit your petitioner, "humbly", "beseechingly", but "earnestly", to warn you; that should this [shrinking?] vote obtain for a fourth time neither "honest politicians", "scheming politicians", or "demagogues", can [aslist?] the future "aspirant for office". We will be obliged to "carry favor" of men of the Brigand and [freeloater?] order. We shall need no southern guerrillas, to complete our over

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misery.

Your petitioner would further represent that he is identified with the welfare and prosperity of the City of Portage. Said City being the centre of an open country ten miles in diameter, particularly inviting to the summer squatter; and to grazing; and well situated to gratify the hunting, and fishing, propensities of Indians.

A tax of sic percent has just been collected in said City, making every "houseowner", virtually a tenant. That under the State law referred to, the [yesterday] voted a tax of about six percent more, and should this succeed in its shrinking design; we can readily suppose ourselves willing to rate several more such taxes, should they promise the least hope of shield, or plunder.

We have many men in our community who fully comprehend the probabilities that National, State, and local indebtedness will be a mortgage upon their property, fully equal to its value and the interest thereon equal to its productiveness.

Of this they do not complain. But of the working of the "Volunteer tax law" which in every sparsely settled portion of Wisconsin, cannot but introduce Arabian morality, and Arabian propensities among our citizens, the result of which must be deterioration in the value of public indebtedness. Hoping you are already satisfied that property and all the avails of property are