Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1871-03-09
THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 1871.


desirable result can ever be expected. Tn
fortunately for the cause of justice in this
particular. many otherwise fair minded
men. those whom the community would
not hesitate to believe and trust. think Il
no wrong to cheat in the matter of valua-
ton. and in paving of taxes. 1t is no sin
To cheat the masses. (by the various de-
vises that have come to he so well known.
because so commonly practiced) think
some good neighbors and citizens. while
they would have a horror. These people
hide their evil. or quiet their conscience
under the belief that others do a. they are
doing. and that no one man is wronged.
II is 20 common 10 equivocate. or prevari-
cate in the matter of giving in of valuation.
that of some il will always be expected.
But the prime cause Of the trouble lieS in
the system Of lcvying taxes. which oper-
ates 50 unequally and unjn.tly. Then our
present anomalous condition offers rare
opportunities Tor the we'll to-,lo man 10
escape paving hi> just proportion ~ the
taxes Of his municipality. Government
bonds. paying good interest enough. il
such property were not specially exempt
from taxation. i the favorifc mode Of in
vestment. In addition to thi. class OF Sc
curities, many towns and cities in the state
pal taxation by vote of the people. Men
who have money, generally invest in these.
because no business operations will nav
better interest, and the bother and risk of
business is got rid of
But 10 come back to taxation Who is
the man. or who are the men that can de-
wise better system OF local taxation?
In New York. the Governor appointed
last year Commission consisting Of three.
Of which Hon. David A. Wells was the
head. or chairman. A report has been
made which is causing considerable dis
cussion. and no small amount Of condem-
nation. This was TO be expected for the
plan Is new and novel one. aud no one
can Judge accurately OF it, workings. IL
should not be CONDEMNED because Ill Is a
new thing under the sun" but let IL b.
tested. II il will work well la New Yorl
State. it will work well in Maine. Asn near
a. we can understand the plan il Is some
thing like this:
FIRST Provide for the taxation OF all
corporations created bv the state which
are IN their nature a monopoly. and the
gas company is instanced a. a tyne of
t.a,
stockholders. private bankers. the surplns
OF Savings banks. fire. marine and life in.
surance companies, TO be taxed moderate
ly. A'e
second TO tax land exclusive of build
ings, at a uniform valuation of 6f,v nov
eentum Of its true marketable yalpe
for the equitable taxation of personal
property ii is proposed to tax the house or
building, as real estate separately. at the
same rate of valuation as the land tina, i
at fifty per cent; and then ASSUMING ,ba,
the value Of the house or building. ire
spective of its contents. be such contents
furniture, machinery. or any other cha,tels
whatsoever. is the sign or index which the
owner or occupant:puts out of his person-
al property; tax the house or building on
valuation of fifty per cent, additional n
Its real estate valuation. as the represept,-
tive valuation Of such personal property.
on iuii valuation As indicated by the rent
actually paid for it. or its estimated value
Or as substitute. tax buildings con-
Jointly with land as real estate. AZ a pp;-
form valuation; and then ss an eouivalen,
ior all taxation on personal propertv ,,x
the oecupier be he owner or tenant Of .n,,
building or portion of any building used
as dwelling, or for any other purpose on
valuation of three times the rental vahue
OF the premises. Tenement houses occn.
pied by more than one family. to be taxed
10 the owner. as occupier.
a" property not embraced in the pro-
visions named as above to be entirely ex-
empt from all taxation.
The report lays down this pronos;,;on.
nat the market value Of real estate is al
ways proportional to, and depend.nt on
the amount of personal property, or rather
productive capital placed upon 1t or in its
immediate vicinity.
we nave given enough of the plan to in
dicate the idea of the Commission. hut 8,
Is so novel that but few will be ready to
ADOPT 1t at first if at all. At any rate. If
the great State of New York ha. gone
thus far in the developing of new system
Is presumable that it will not be satisfied
until the new plan is put in practice.
The generally received opinion is that
all kinds of property and all classes Of
men, should pay taxes, and thereby assist
20 keep in motion the government which
defends and protAcfs them