The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-07-08

bile Ct. OTOlA dS ueT true OutlcL 10 tue
great lakes.
TAXES AND HOW TO REDUCE THEM.
An intelligent gentleman from Ohio, who
has large property interests in st. Paul and
has come up to settle up his taxes,
and though possessing good 1eal of nerve,
he was considerabl, shocked when the figures
were presented to him. There is . mystery
about it that he can scarcely comprehend, for
a decrease in the valuation Of real estate ami
the increase of taxes upon the same. He eden't
complain. but as they do things differently in
the Buckeye state, it would be no more than
fair and courteous on the part Of somebody to
explain the matter, SO that Minnesota shall
not suffer too much in comparison with Ohio.
~ Pioneer Press.
One Of the crying evils OF our age is
excessive taxation It has got SO that
shrewd men refuse any longer to purch-
ase real property, and they will not even
lend money upon it unless the borrower
agrees to pay the taxes. Hence land,
which should be the most reliable and
valuable Of all human possessions, is de-
preciating in value and passing into the
hands of shortsighted and stupid men
who will submit patiently to being
plundered. In st. Paul taxation is al.
most confiscation. A ring of Office
holders and contractors has got the peo
pie by he throat, and the result is that
the man who owns real estate, unless it
is rented to paying tenants, is poorer
than he man who has nothing. Il is
time for property holders to organize
tor self protection and make the vam-
pires let 60 their hold on their pocket
books.
We must have Reform, and Reform
must commence with reduced taxation.
But it will be asked, how can we reduce
taxation?
One great item is the expense Of the
law courts. We are almost ready to
favor law for the abolition Of all legal
processes for the collection of debts.
How? By requiring for every debt .
distinct pledge Of property, real or per-
sonal; with power on the part Of the
creditor to sell in case Of default. Now
q farmer ca mot borrow money without
mortgaging real estate; and, If he
fails to pay, the mortgages sells without
cost to the county. Why not apply this
rule to everything? Il would almost
exterminate the credit system, but would
not that be better for all classes? Then
the credit or would be confined to the
property given in security; and be could
not, as now, sell it out for half what he
took it for, and pursue the debtor for the
balance.
THIS may seem like > rash and des-
perate proposition, but think i over, Eel-
low citizens. See how much ron are
taxed annually to pay the cost of John
Doe getting judgment against Richard
Roe. which judgment when obtained i.
uAuC t1lOSS OS81 u t6Up WVIS01SaO. 3O00
Doe recklessly trusts Richard Roe, aDd
then you are aaked to take mosey ont
Of your hard earnings to hire judges.
Jurymen, sherihs, tipstaves, clerks, &C..
to enable John TO collect his debt: and
oftentimes the suit costs the county more
than the amount 1t issue, and John
gets nothing after al.
Then again; the criminal populatiop
should Be made selfsupportng. Aruf-
fain lives : lite Of vice and idleness.
prsying upon the community; 4 lesgfb
be il detected in some crime, conyicted
and clapped into prison; and then De
tax collector comes around and cem-
pslls hard-working, indnstrious nsa .
take money ont q their poc1sls . -
post hin- The esinfnal shou11 80
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