The daily gazette., 1875-01-06


reduction could be more properly
effected by reducing the rate of taxa.
tion imposed for State purposes from
ten to five cents in every hundred dol
lars OF asscssable property than in any
other way. The reduction suggested
would diminish the receipts of the
Treasury about $50, 900 annually, and
to that amount would be relief to
the Taxpayers of the State, especially
to the owners of real estate who pay
an unequal share of taxcs, both for
State and local purposes. IN Penn
sylvania. and perhaps in other States,
lands are exempt from taxation inn.
posed for the use of the State; while
in Delaware, until recently, real estate
paid very large proportion Of all
taxes, and now bears an unequal share
OF the burdens imposed, both for State
and county purposes. Incomes from
lands, for several years, have, az q
general rule, been less than from the
most other property, and whatever
reduction may Hereafter be made in
the amount Of taxes collected, should
be in relief Of that species of proper
Ity which Is least renumerative.
In making this suggestion, do not
wish to be understood as favoring any
policy that would leave the State
without the means to meet current
ordinary expenses, and at the same
time provide, beyond contingency,
for the prompt liquidation Of every
liability now outstanding A wise
foresight dictates the payment of the
ipresent State debt at the earliest pos
sible moment that it can be effected
Ewithout embarrassment to the people.
| 1t Is impossible to forsee what exi-
lgencies may hereafter arise, requir-
ling every resource which the State
lean command, to protect its citizens
from ills not now anticipated, but
which may befall them hereafter.
Fortunately for us, at the commence
ment of the late civil war, the State
was free from debt and able to furnish
the means for the relief of those con-
scripted into military service. Had
the State at that time been cucumber
ed, even with tho present debt, the
relief so anxiously demanded, and 80
opportunely afforded, could moi
haye been extended. While it is to
be hoped that no similar necessity
will hereafter arise, and that our pe0
pie may long be exempt from every
affiiction that could mar their happi.
ness or retard their prosperity, still
/, wise atatemanship and prudent re-
gard for the public good demands
that the Treasury of the State be
placed as soon rs possible with con
vsnience to our citizens, in a cOndi
ti0n where aid could again be invoked
in any emergency which may hereaf
ter arise.
I'll The present revenue system of thu
! State, If undisturbed, or not seriously
| linterfered with, will extinguish ou
: present debt within the next ten OF
Ell twelve years, and leave the people
r free from any necessity for contrlbu
8 ting .by the payment Of taxes, to thu
Z. support of the State government I'm
: der which they live.
a 1t Is gratifying, In transmitting tn,
last biennial message which I shal
have the honor Of sendingte the Gen
eral Assembly, to be able to announce
4 so large reduction Of the debt ex
!. listing at the commencement Of my ad
= ministration, and that the present d
q nancial system of the State PROMISE
J an early extingiiishment Of every out
] standing obligation. ...-.,.6, - -
q coLLEcTI ON OF TAXES. bel
d The collection of county rates an(
}, levies is, in my judgment, too expen
o sive and might be reduced considera
y bly, by proper legislation. =
q There can be no good reason for tn
!, payment of so large per contage o
i the taxes levied for the collection o
q the same. Some plan ought to b
g adobted which will adequately com
y pensate the officers appointed to- re
o ceive and collect the duplicates of as
- sessment placed in their hands. and a
% the same time enable such officers t.
}, perform their duty with less labo
e than Is necessary under our presen
r lsystem.
In some States receiver of taxes
e appointed for each collection district
IS with graduated commissions upon al
# sums voluntary paid within specific,
y times, and an abatement allowed t
ir such taxables as pay within the tim
q fixed by law for such abatement.
e have not given to the subject sucl
Ie consideration as enables me to rec
- OLuLutuu Wlbn COhuAShSS ohy AS1Ahe
Is plan Of collection, but commend th
'e matter to the consideration Of .,th
3 Legislature as worthy Of their scriou
r attention. If any alteration, be mad
e. In the law relating to the collection Z
.g taxes at the present session. great cal
E. should be exercised to secure to a
a. equal facilities to comply with th
Y law. All the provisions Of the Act 9
le Assembly passed at the last session
relating to the collection Of taxes, 4
Is far as the same may be applicabl,
a. should be retained. with such furths
D. safeguards as will clearly deflns
le and limit she duties of the revenu
a. officers, and at the same time prote,
e. the right of every citizen to pay b
pt | tax with as little Inconvenience
id himself as possible ..'. ...- +.
a. SUPREME COURT DEcIsIoN.
o. Within the last year an importai
e. case, In which this State, though n,
q. Inominally, was in reality o party, hi