River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1874-01-23
River Falls, j. II, 1874.
Exemptions.

ES. emptionS.
Under the laws Of our state, as well
as all other states in the uHion, the ex-
emptions Of property from taxation are
numerous, If not enormous. But it is
the abuse of the license the law Prov.
des, Of which We complain. Here we
see verified the truth of the old adage,
Give a man an inch aud be will take
an ell" By facts that would astonish
even the dalleit moral philosopher in
existence.
In discussing this subject the first
question which naturally arises Is this:
Why should property of any kind be
exempt from taxation? And, next: If
any species OF property should be re.
lieved from taxation, what is itY
In answering these questions the law
viii be consulted to know what proper
ty is now exempt under it, since few, if
any would venture to name species or
kind, unless they would point to "pree.
edent." II JUSTICE were consulted,
any mau would be out Of luck, as we'll
as out Of argument, at the outset. We
believe, however, should JUSTICE fcst
be consulted, it would first point to the
widows bible, furniture, COW, aud all
her personal property including the
pood e, and it might Include a home
stead
Now for broad illustration Of what
JUsrIcG would or sl2nll do 10 such 0
case, let US suppose she would poiut al
oucc to the property exempt from sale
on execution. There you have it.
I is IS broad. clear aud comprehensive,
bgt If any good reason under heaven,
on earth or among men, exists Why our
present laws exempting property from
taxation should exist, Why should not
the two kiuds Of exemption be co.equal.
Where can JusrIcE make the d.sunc.
,.on? ooh, but this would create q
privileged class" you exclaim. just
SO, and what let US inquire, is the legit.
innate tendency and fiual result under
the present exemption law? Preoisel;
the same just look at tho facts
Millions Of dollars are now boarded Il
churches and their surroundings Iii
. ccmeteri.s, private and public-in IL
hraries, and various other ways, which
now escape taxation under the law
: And what is the moral, as we'll as til,
pecuniary effect upon society? What i
the natural, as well as the unavoidablo
tendency of any and Of all laws that
make iuyidiou5 distinctions in taxing
property? Is il good, or i'll? That's
the question.
We charge 40 sect Or clas', bat Sc
would arouse a spirit Of inqpiry-we
would call attention 10 the existing law,
and is legitimate tendency--to exist.
ing facts. aud their consequences
For ourselves We fail to discover
where tho distinction should begin,
and if there is no beginning there can
be no end. Should there be a begin.
ming? Ponder the question well, aud
/ if you give US an affirmative answer
tell US plainly what class Of property
you will place FIRST upon your oxenp.
ton lit. II you would exempt par.
sou-age, why not lawyer.ggey or a
doctor.lge? or profcssor.agel you
would exempt church aud its sur.
roundings, why not factory and ITS
grounds? In short, if you would eE
empt any thing from taxation, why not
exempt every thing?
And again We put the question iIirly
aud squarely; If any exemptions from
taxation should exist under our law
Why not include all property exempt
form sale on execution!
Aud now, lastly where are our IRE.
former..' Not a word has yet been
heard from them since election Have
they forgotten lhis question: Or do
they propose to fritter the entire session
Of the legislature over matters or little
or m inporisnesI