Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1859-08-04


responsibility for the wretched condi-
ton Of our county finances, does not,
when we declare ourselves ready. to
take up the gauntlet it threw down,
venture into the discussion, for tear
that Republican Office holders alone
will be shown to be accountable for
the depreciation Of the county's credit.
As it is so extremely nervous about
Republican county officials, We forbear
to harrass them any further, but we
have some remarks to make upon the
Republican city ADMINISTRATION which
our duty TO the public will not permit
us to withhold. We refer particularly
now to the resolutions of the City
Council, proposing to make discount
Of five per cent on taxes paid prior to
August lst. This is in effect. an offer
to pay interest at five per cent per
month. We make this statement ups
on the supposition that the taxes are
all honestly due the city.
The injustice and inequality Of this
scheme must be apparent to every one.
1t in the old game of making men Of
moderate means, who are always taxed
more heavily in proportion to their
property than men of great wealth,
pay five per cent more than those of
the better class. This financial pro
ject requires only 90 cents on the dol
lar from those whose means enable
them to pay Immediately, whilst it
compels such as have not the ready
money to meet their taxes before they
become due to pay full one hundred
cent. on the dollar. This is the injus-
tee of the thing.
II ninety five cents on the dollar is
enough to pay the expenses Of the city,
why levy more; if not enough, why
take less Either the tax levy is more
than the city's wants require, or the
city authorities are inexcusable in con-
senting to make shave Of the city
revenue, at the rate OF five per cent
per month. In either case, the city
administration deserves the severest
censure.
The object of these gentlemen is
palpablc, and we are bound to give it
the benefit Of as wide publicity as pos
sible. The inventors Of this scheme
desire to collect as much Of the tax in
money as they possibly can, and that
at the earliest moment, and with the
money thus collected, to buy up city
orders at 80 or 90 cents on the dollar,
which they will turn into the city
treasury at their par value. In the
next two months city orders will be
very plenty, and it is by no means GER
tain that they will bring even IS cents
on the dollar. II their plan succeeds,
these official gentlemen will realize
from ten to twenty cents on every dol
lar paid in. We doubt, however, if
this nice little project will succeed in
quilting money of the people. The
knowing ones are we'll aws.e that
nothing is to be made, but much will
be lost, by swallowing this bait thrown
out to the unwary. Every business
man knows that city orders can be had
at So, 80 and % cents on the dollar,
and these the NJ arshal is always bound
to receive at their par value, in pay
ment of taxes.
A man who waits until his taxes
become due, and then pay them in CT
ty orders, bought at even IS cents on
the dollar-is at least as we'll off - he
who pays his tax in cash within the
next 60 days; nay, he is better of, for
II he waits until after the crops have
began to move, he not only has the
use OF the money in the mean time,
but he can easier spare it after boun-
nul harvest has made BUSINESS brisk.
are frank to say, that We do not
e to see the game, for the benefit of
CITY officials, win. That such il their
game must be evident to every bust
ness man. 1t is notorious that althoupb
a large amount Of cash is paid into the
city Treasury, no outsider can get q
dollar in money upon city order, bu,
the holders Of city orders are COMPEL.
ed to sell them at an enormous shave
to agents Of our city officers who il
their official reports, turn them in a
cash, and represent them as having
been actually paid in fol-. From tn
j facts We have stated, the conclusion i
,~resistable that the speculating offic'
ldsrs dssign il IL apt Place 70 ~
1ss ~ city. ~ taking diseoan
pss, cant. ser caah ihnsdiaisl'
and atar ,ihak aeedees Y
i'll Sssasss ess y bssial
M sss#awAea