Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-09-16
The School Tax Lew.

ms SuUJolHeu CONTAMINATION VI MI.
Lucas is intended to shed further light upon
the late reputation Of school-tax levies
Mr.. l.. makes out vindication of himself
by clubbing upon the word "exac ton, y
which conveys, it is true, sense somewhat
stronger than we intended. The point We
wish more particularly to allege is that, to
the best of our knowledge, taxes were
collected in no inconsiderable amount sub
sequeut to the question Of legality first be-
ing raised--whcther by compulsion or 9TH
erwiso is not at present relevant to the sub
ject. Mr.. L. virtually admits this, and it is
clear that in some way advantage has been
enjoyed from the DEVOTION of humble and
unsuspecting parties to the cause of educa
tion.-ED. JoUR
Mr.. LDIroR AS your paper of last Sat.
urday contains an editorial article which
I pronounce false, "not to use harshel
term," must claim hearing.
In this article, you attempt to lay on my
shoulders the burden attending the levy and
collection of taxes under the present Re-
publican School Law, and thus, while
screening it, blame Inc for what is in fact a
condemnation Of it by the people. Your
accusation could afford to pass by, did
you not falsily the record in epdeavo,ing to
prove it. You say that 'the burden of o
previous School-tax levy was very unequal.
ly divided, the exaction being merciless)y
made from those least able to bear it, while
others have SUCCESSFULLY evaded it, and the
funds collected have been SO invested Us to
benefit certain capitalists rather than tbe
cause of education"
Now, the facts Of the case are these -
Very soon after the tax list of 1858 came
into my haads, the question of the legality
of the School District and Sub District tax
was raised. l Immediately determined to
''exacl" it from TO one until the question
was decided, and to obtain a decision upon
it as soon as possible. With the view 81
obtaining this decision, it was ''exacted" of
but one mantle resisted the collection, and
the matter is now in court, and, with this
single exception, challenge you or any 9th
or man to bring forward single taxpayer
of whom ''exacted" this tax "mercilessly''
or in any other way. To every one l left
the option Of paying it or not, knowing full
we'll that any attempt to exact it would be
followed by lawsuit, and knowing, also,
that the matter could be as well settled by
one suit as by one thousand, and with GER
tainly far less cost and trouble to both the
taxpayer and the county.
A to the remainder of your charge about
beneftiog certain capitalists, am at loss
to know your meaning, but have only to say
that all the tax collected has been paid over
as far as called for, except that collected in
Muscatine School District. This last is now
in contest, both on account of the legality
of the law and especially of the levy, aud
it having been collected from those choos.
ing to pay with an understanding, as far as
it was possible to make one, that it should
be paid back if illegal, and having been le-
gally advised the tax is not colectable by
law, have pursued the only course left
me, namely-hsve retained it until the ques-
ton can be decided, when shall pay it to
the party entitled to receive it. This course
l believe will be satisfactory to the tax pay
ers, and by their decision l am willing to
abids. % ay lin.
In conclusion, allow me to say that while,
as a public officer, my acts lie open to pub
lie discussion, and, it worthy, of public blame,
l claim from all, and especially from one in
your position, attacking me, an eudeavor
at least to discover facts, and then truth.
ful representation Of them, neither which
have obtained ia the present instance.
Respectfully, JNo.aW. LUCAS. .
1t24 az s5l5 Treas. Mus. County.