Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1871-01-13
Totals. .iosl7s7s "a 2nsOs2o 81 ls89Ol6495

Ills taDle SHOWS that IN ten years the stale
taxes have increased thirty three per cent, and
that local taxes have increased almost one hun
dred and seventy per cent; in other words, less
lhan one-tenth Of the increase has been in State
Ia xes and more than nine -tenths in local taxes.
The increase of local taxes has been far great
er than the growth Of the State business, popu-
laticn or wealth. 1t is not to be doubted that
this burden has grown to dimensions which Sc
riously threaten the prosperity of the State.
No full and exact statement can be made frt m
the official reports as to the amount annually
collected from the property holders Of the State
in the form Of special assessments for what are
termed local Improvements, but il is certain that
this burden is also great and rapidly growing.
The Auditor OF State reports cases in which
such assessments have been made, amounting TO
half the cash value Of the property on which
they were levied, and, in one case, which he re-
fers to, the assessment was double the value Of
the property.
In respect to these evils it is undoubtedly cas-
ler TO find fault than TO provide a remedy. No
single measure will remove them. Probably no
system Of measures which the General Assembly
can adopt will accomplish what is desired A
complete reform is impossible, unless the CITY,
county and other officers are disposed and thor
oughly competent to the work of cutting of ey-
cry unnecessary expenditure.
Much, however, can be accomplished by wise
legislation. Let the General Assembly firmly
adhere to the policy Of the Constitution, and re-
fuse to enact special laws granting powers to ia
or make assessments. Let such powers be ex-
ercised only in pursuance Of general laws. LO-
cal authorities shOnld be empowered to levy no
higher rate Of taxation than is absolutely re-
quired for practical efficiency under ordinary
circumstances. In extraordinary cases general
laws should provide for the submission of the
proposed tax or assessment to the people 10 be
affected by H. under such regulations that il
can not be levied unless at least two-thirds of
the taxpayers approve the measure.
LOCAL INBEBrEDEEss..
One Of the most valuable articles of the pres
ent State Constitution is that which prohibits the
State, save in few exceptional cases, fr m Gre
atiDg any debt, and which provides for the pay
ment at an early day Of the debt already con-
tracted. / am convinced that ii would be wise
to extend the same policy to the creation Of pub
lie debts by county, city. and other local author
tiles. The rule pay as you GO leads to econo-
my in public as well as in private affairs, while
the power TO contract debts opens the door TO
wastefnlness, extravaganza and corruption.
In the early history of the State, when capital
was scarce, and expensive public works were
required for transporting the products OF the
State tn market, public debts were probably un-
avoidable. But the time. believe, has come
when not only. tue State, but all Of its subordi-
nate divisions, ought to be forbidden to incur
debt. The same rule on this subject ought to
be applied 10 local authorities which the COnst' .
tuition applies to the State Legislature. Expert
ence has proved that the power to contract debt
is as liable 10 abuse by local boards as il is by
the General Assembly. II il is important to the
people that the State should be FREQ from debt,
It is also impOrtantthat its municipal divisions
should not have power to Oppress them with the
bur len of local Indebtedness.
PIxED SALARIES.
II would promote an economical administra-
ni ha Ia / all Offi fata 4
municipal, including the members OF the Legis-
lature, were paid fixed salaries.
Under existing laws part Of the public Off
GERS are paid by fees, and part by 4 xed annual
salaries or by per diem allowance. Many of
those who are paid by fees receive compensa-
ton out of all proportion to the services rem
dered. Others are paid salaries wholly made
quate. For example, many county officers, and
some city officers, receive greater compensate
than the Judges Of the Supreme Court of the
State. The salaries paid TO the Judges ought TO
be increased; the amount paid In many other
public officers ought to be reduced. To do JUS
tce, a system of fixed salaries, without fees OF
perquisites, should be adopted. The people of
Ohio will, without question. sustain an increase
of the salaries OF judges and Of other officers
who are now inadequatelY paid. But II can
probably best be done as part Of system
which would prevent the payment to public Off
GERS Of enormous sums by means OF fees and
perqusites. To oremore all ground of complaint,
On account of injustice to present incumbeDts,
the new system should apply only 10 those elect
ed af;er It's adoption.
BATES or TAXATION.
III addition TO considerations already present.
ed ia favor Of revision of the rates of taxation
which local officers and boards are authorized
to levy, another controlling reason is not to
be omitted. BY the recent revaluation Of
real estate the total basis Of taxation for the State
..sll Al - Al