The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-07-08
TAXES AND HOW TO REDUCE THEM.

An intelligent gentleman from Ohio, who
has large property interests in st. Paul and
vicinity, has come up to settle up his taxes,
and though possessing good deal of nerve,
he was considerable shocked when the figures
We're presented to him. There is a mystery
about II that he can scarcely comprehend, for
h. Is at a loss to see the exact relation between
a decrease in the valuation OF real estate AMI
tue increase of taxes upon the same. He don'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. 1t 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 confscation. A ring Of office
holders and contractors has got the PEG
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. 1t 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.
Howe By requiring for every debt a
distinct pied &c Of property. real or per-
sonal; wit power on the part of the
creditor TO sell in case of default. Now
farmer ca mot borrow money without
mortgaeing real estate; and, if he
fails to pay, he mortgage sells without
cost to the county. Why not apply this
rule to everything 1t 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 he 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 a rash and des-
perate proposition, but think it over, fell
low citizens. See how much You are
taxed annually to pay the cost Of John
Doe getting judgment against Richard
Roe, which judgne mt when obtained is,
nine times out Of ten, worthless. John
Doe recklessly trusts Richard Roe, and
then you are asked to take money out
OF your hard earnings TO hire Judges,
Jurymen, sheriffs, tipstaves, clerks, &c.
to enable John to collect his debt: and
oftentimes the suit costs the county more
than the amount at issue, and John
gets nothing after all
Then again; the criminal population
should be made self-supporting. Aruf-
fain lives a lite Of vice and nleness.
preying upon the community; at length
he is detected in some crime, convicted
and clapped into prison: and then the
tax collector comes around and com
pells Woodworking, industrious men to
take money ont Of their pockets to sup
port him. The criminal should earn
his own living Or starve. Vice has no
right TO tax virtue Tor it. support o.
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