The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1874-05-08
NEW S.
FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1874.
CUT AWAY THE SUCKERS.


IS, last year, in round numbers, one
hundred aud five thousand dollars.
OF this the city of Emporia paid
nearly thirty thousand. To this
sum should be added at least ten /,
thousand dollars for poll and other
special taxes, making q total pay
ment of one hundred and fifteen
thousand dollars for the year 1873.
This amount was less, by moro than
twenty thousand dollars, the tax of
any previous year for the last four
past, and was less in proportion
than the tax OF majority of tho
counties OF the State. 1t was, in
fact, by comparison with taxes
elsewhere in the State, a low tax.
But Notwithstanding this fact this
tax was, no doubt, q larger sum
than the net profits of the entire
county for the year. Let any
citizen Of the county take his own
operations, whatever his business,
and then those OF his neighbors,
take out the necessary expenses of
the year and keeping his improve
ments insured and In repair, and see |
how the residue compare with their
several proportions of the tax levy.
OF course there are persons whose
earnings over all showed a hand
some income; but again there were
more whose operations were at
loss, so that we have no doubt of
the truth of the statement that the
tax was more than the net profit,
taking the county through.
Since the tax of last year was
paid our people have grown poorer.
Carelessness, shinlessness and the
extraordinarily backward spring,
each and ali, have caused large losses
In cattle, and have, besides, used up
the grain crop closer than 1t has been
for many years preceding. There is
absolutely no reserve OF grain, and
hardly enough to reach to another
harvest. Owing TO the losses of
cattle there will be less than usual
of this cash product to dispose of.
We are warranted, then, in stating
that proportionately, our people are
poorer :han for many years past.
The profits of the part of the year
that Is ahead cannot more than
make up the losses of that part al
ready past.
Under the circumstances, do we
state tho case too strongly when
we say that at every possible
point the taxes should be reduced
for the present yoar? Expendi-
lures, too, which in ordinary times
arc right and proper, are now the
reverse. we have clearly lived be-
yond our means, and retrenchmeni
is q matter Of necessity. Abuses
have grown up in all quarters
The county ard every subdivision
of il has too'much Como to be regard
Ell as lawful plumber. A majority
OF the men who are chosen to Office
are forthwith filled with the ides
that the Office, however trivial, mus
make them a living, or at least be {
source of profit. Large salaries
and exorbitant fees-(usuallN
growing larger, Notwithstanding
tho decreased cost in living anC
lessened profits in ordinary bust
nesa) are TOO much the rule. While
the people ut large are feeling tn
force of changed circumstances
most persons in public employment
set up as an exception TO the pre-
Willing condition which enforce
lower wages and lessened profits
and demand larger pay, Or at leas
that the receding wave shall no
strike them.
The step in the right direction
taken last year was but a step
There Is room for more. Not 1
road district, school district, town
ship, or single department of tn,
county or city governments wher'
expenses may not properly be re
trenched. We hope those in au
ihority will not hesitate TO appl!
the knife. Let's get down to hare
pan. After all the excressences are
Topped of it may be that We shai
then be obliged to cut away some
thing of shat we have heretofOr'
counted necesssries, To avoid run
ming behind. Economy now will
pay. People need the habit of 1t il
public matters. They will not Onl!
Bavemoney by II, but 1t will operate
favorably upon persons seeking fol
homes, whom high taxes hav,
heretofore driven away from us
Let us have general understand
ing that there shall be no new of
fees, no new salaries, diminu
ton of the offices we already have
and systematic Overhauling o
every appropriation, to the ent
that every abuse may be dispensed
with and necessary expenditure
brought within the smallest com
pass. This much, at least, peopl
ought to be united upon.