The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1864-04-26
Special Tax.

the question OF qoting TO borrow the sum
proposed. There is no great deal Of
difficulty in exciting mans apprehen-
sion, and arousing his prejudices, on this
question oftaxes; and il makes but little
difference what kind Of an argument is
used, il il is against taking money from
mans pocket, he is very apt to think
un convincing one. Men take fire i'm
mediately AT the suggestion that there is
an excuse why taxes should not be vot-
ed, and there are 10 be found not few
in every community who would run the
risk of living without any government,
could they thereby rid themselves of the
necessity Of paying taxes. This tender
ness on the subject makes it very ditfi
cul, 10 convince men Of the utility and
necessity Of such measure as that Of
voting special tax, and, as we said be
fore, makes them very susceptible 10 any
prejudice or influence arerse 10 such
voting. We are, therefore, not surpris-
ed To lea!a that ihere is some disposition
throughout the county to vote against
the tax, and shall not be surprised if tie
measure is defeated, although we cannot
conceive Of substantial argument
against The utility OF voting it,
Now the case is simply lhs. The
County has been robbed of about
ten Ga twelve thousand dollars of money
that, in he opinion Of good lawyers, il,
will be required to replace or make good
This money. 10 be sure, belonged TO va
r;ous funds, and these funds are kept
separately. and a county fund proper
cannot be used for Road or School pur,
poses, nor can the Road and School funds
be used for County or State purposes.
But if the county owes anything, the debt
must be paid out Of the county 'und, and
the county can levy nothing but county
lax to d il. II he county is to make
up ;hia loss 10 the School District and
Road Funds. il must make it up out OF
the county fund, and the Tax therefore
must be raised as county tax, and 90
INFO the county fund. Some people seem
to think that because the Board or Su.
pervisors did not levy School District
tax, that therefore the Teachers Fund is
not 10 be relieved. Why, the Board has
no right to levy such a tax TO pay the
county's Indebtedness to the School Dis
tricts. Il it pays back the School Dis
'rict money stolen, it must pay it back
out Of the county fund, AMI in voting 10
borrow so much for the relief Of the
county fund, the Board did not neglect
the schools, by any mems, as we under.
stand il. and as the county officers un
derstand it, The intention was, We
feel sure, to borrow $4,000 for the re
lief OF the more pressing necessities upon
the various funds.
Now LET Us give Dr.. BRRwER's view OF
the matter and certainly his opinion and
Judgment should have good deal oil
weight. His devotion to the county's
interests no one can question. and his
experience, clear headeduess. and thor
ough knowledge Of everything connect.
ed with county matters, ought 10 give
his views the utmost consideration. The
DR.. says that the current receipts from
taxes, into the county fund, will about
pay all the current expenses of the coun.
~ government, except the Pauper Elk.
penses, and the Relief for Soldiers Fam
lies. These will have to be provided
for. and.will amount, probably, to 81 900
for paupers. The fund appropriated for
soldiers families is $4,000, bu, il is
probable that not much more than one.
half will be drawn. This makes $4,000.
The Road districts have generally pro
vided for the loss OF their road money;
and there will be no pressing necessity
for the county 10 make provision in that
direction but the Teachers Fund should
be. and must be, made good. The
amount of tina. fund apportoned before
the robbery, and taken by the robbers,
was $4,000. Should the county borrow
The 5000 as proposed, pay out Of ii all
that ia required to be- paid out to sol.
diers' families. aud to the poor, the Or.
10 clearly OF the opinion that there would
,hen be enough left 10 fully meet all do.
msnds against the Teachers Fund
This is his view Of what tho loan ia in.
tended TO io--his view of what the Board
OF Supervisors intended by the prop.
"slton they have submitted. And we
have no doubt. that should the loan be
Se'ed, tbs = ,he way in WHICH ths