The burthens of the war now being waged by our people for
the preservation of our government bear heavily on us, and should be borne as
equally as possible. These burthens are of two kinds: First, that of military
duty in the field, and second, that of taxation at home. It seems to me to be
unequal and unfair that those of us who bear the first of these burthens should
be compelled to share with those of us who remain at home the second; that the
soldiers who are fighting our battles in the field should also be compelled to
pay their share of taxes equally with those who do not share their perils and
privations.
The compensation paid to those of our soldiers who hold
commissions is sufficiently liberal to enable them to pay their taxes without
inconvenience, but it is not so with their no less worthy, but less fortunate
comrades. It would be a just recognition by us of our appreciation of the
patriotism and self-sacrifice of the latter, if we were to release them during
their services from all taxes levied under State laws and it doubtless would be
news of comfort and cheer to them amid the dangers and trials by which they are
surrounded for our sakes, that we be careful that the houses that sheltered
their wives and little ones had been secured from danger of sale for taxes, by
our voluntary assumption of their share of the one burthen, while they are
bravely bearing our share of the other. I therefore recommend to you that you
pass a law exempting from all taxation under the laws of the State the real and
personal property of all non-commissioned officers and privates in the
regiments of this State in the army of the United States during their
continuance in service, and that for the current year there be added to the per
centum of taxation upon the valuation of the property of all the other tax
payers the sum of one-fourth of one mill on each dollar of such valuation to
cover the deficiency in revenue created thereby.
SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD.
SOURCE: Henry Warren Lathrop, The Life and Times of
Samuel J. Kirkwood, Iowa's War Governor, p. 224-5
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