The Cairo daily bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1870-1872, 1872-03-29

taxation under present laws, so that, If a,
the auditor supposes, the property OF the
state Is assessed ut one-fourth of its actual
value, S6Vo,oo0,O00 of the property pays
no taxes.
This state of things, even If approx
mately true, makes II of the greatest inn
portance that the present general assembly
should devise some measure that provides
Tor the imposition of the public burdens
upon all property in the state, in proper
ton TO It's value, and it also appears from
the statement of the views of the auditor
that it is matter of extreme doubt
whether the changes introduced into the
system Of county government by the con-
stltution of 1870 does not, IN some inn
portant respects render the present re-
venue laws imperative. There is, no
doubt, reason to apprehend that the
| introduction of the system of county com
nissioners in counties that are not under
township organization, and the restrictions
upon the exemptions of property from
taxation contained in the I'd section Of the
9Th article of the constitution, and pro-
| visions in that article have SO dislucated
and deranged the machinery provided by
| existing revenue laws us to render their
practical enforcement IA matter of great
, uncertainty. trust in view of the pro-
liabilities of any early adjournment Of the
general assembly, that II Will not be con-
sldered improper Tor me to ask attention to
the urgent necessity tor some general law
for the incorporation of cities and towns.
The great value Of the constitution Of
Q 1870, in my judgement, is found IN the
| fact tina, 1t prohibits local and special leg
islation incorporating cities, towns, or
y villages, or changing or amending the
d charter of any town, city, or village, yet
s tina fact that many bills have been pro-
posed in both houses for that purpose, and
that the general assembly and the COVER
+. nor have been constrained, one 10 pass and
II the other to approve, some measures that
:, are special and local in their object and
spirit, and only general in their form, dem
>. onstrates that comprehensive genera
c law based upon liberal principles, embrac
ing the idea of judicious classification o
cities and towns with powers appropriate
). to each class, leaving much to the people
4 isa want not less pressing than a cleal
Just and equal revenue law. Unless som
J. such law is speedily provided, no depart
IS ment of the government will be able niue
d longer to resist the demand for laws G
doubtful constitutionality, and when eithe
department is forced to yield, it is nearl
at Impossible 10 return 10 tne riga out WIS
rules provided IN the constitution and
J. trust will be pardoned for urging after
a ton to the enactment Of laws providin
es for ascertaining compensation 10 owner ,
rs property taken for public uses. 1t
doubtful whether any law for the purpo,
is now IN force, or whether any suppose
h. law for that purpose now on the statui
books sufficiently confirms to the prcseI
'r constitution.
At The assertion of the rights of the peopl
" to their own property as against the stat
itself, to say nothing Of their rights a
against corporations and persons who al
vs sometimes intrusted by law with this attr
~ butte of sovereignty which can alone tax
private property, devolves upon the GEL
&c eral assembly. Corporations created f,
no the construction of railroads, and for 9th,
popular improvements or works, will NJ
proprate the property they need; no or
of need fear that they will be long delaye
m by any effort of a citizen to protect hin
~ self; so that the real question to be Sc
" tied is, whether any etlectual remedy ca
he lists, Under the laws now in force, for Il
ascertsinment Of damages anyone will SUI
tain by the appropriation OF his or he
III property.
" Actions ut law or in equity for the pun
poses are expensive and uncertain, so tn,
3 cheep and simple law is of the highe
importance. JOHN NJ. PALMER