Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-02-10
TAxATIoN-TEBROR OF PROPER
TYOwyERs- HOW To CHECK.

The owners of taxable properties are
in terror, and have cause to be. The
new city rulers show no disposition to re-
duce the rate Of taxation. The rate 10
1869, including State, county and city,
was three and three-quarters per cent.
upon the value Of taxable properties,
real or personal. Real estate in Mem
Dhis. which constitutes the almost entire
taxable properly, was assessed generally
very near, and often quite up, TO IFS real
value. Indeed, there was very little real
estate in Memphis which would, if put mp
AZ public sale, bring the amount at which
il was valued for taxation.
Owners Of unimproved real estate are
now scarcely able to sell at any price.
No man will buy property, which costs
him nearly four per cent. tax annually,
and which produces no income.
Indications are pretty strong that the
new City Council are not disposed 10 re-
duee taxation. On the contrary. it stems
esif sehemeis on foot to increase them
by keeping up the old rate, and, by pre-
venting tax payers from the abatement
heretofore obtained, By paying in city
scrip under par.
The evil is this, and herein Is tie
cause of excessive taxation:
First. The public officers who levy and
expend taxes are, generally, zen with
out property, and who, therefore, pay 80
taxes. 1t matters nothing to such men
how heavy the weight of taxation. They
pey none of it, end feel none OF 1t.
Second. The men who disburse the
money are The same men who assess and
c.llectit Generally, they pay 10 taxes
consequently feel no concern on that &C
count. But they sse tie men-the pub
lie tficers-who make coStsacis for the
expenditure Of the public money. Oftea
they have 8 secret interest or share 10
such contracts, and in the profits upon
them. Often they reSsiss from the per
eons who get contracts aad Jobs, giftsr
bonuses and the like, directly o. iE9i-
rectly, as compensation for the aid rem
dored in efecting the contract or job
These gifts, and lhs ike, are really and
desiguesly brides; but sse usually put
in a shape, and, upon pretended con
pideralion, as if real and honest.
Pm, everybody Sho lives in the city
understands oil this The interesting
Question ia how to reduce the Amognl
taken from the pockets Of the people fol
corrupt pubic officers to fatien upon.
The remedy IL the question. The
thievery Of public o6eers cannot b
stopped entirely. any more tIsn individ
ral robbery or Burglary can be sntrsll
suppressed. Something can be done
however. aud that is TO separate The OH
cers who assess the rate OF taxes fscR thl
officers who sxpend the money cslleete'
BIZ taxes. Let those who determine hos
mach money shall be raised by taxes b.
dGerest, disconnected and iudepend
cot clsss Of officers freu doas who ex
pend md contract for the disbafsSssn
Of the moneys raised by taxes If to-
neu whe ore 10 assess taxes have no in
terestin the 0se to be made Sf the money
something has been done to lessSR ih'
motives to Jay bsssy taxes and collect
large amount Of public mouey.
Such 50 arrangement might BE eGecie'
LIZ a clause in The Constitution. aud "a
Convention is the proper authority 4
reeul.ie this matter. Bot the Legisla
core has Lbe power, by general statute il
Eespect TO municipal corporations, to ei