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

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,
were presented to him. There is q mystery
about it 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
the increase OF taxes upon the same. He dent
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. 1t is
time for property holders to organize
tor self protection and make the vam-
pires let GO 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 a
distinct pledge Of property, real or per-
sonal; will power on the part of the
creditor to sell in case of default. Now
a farmer ca mot borrow money without
mortgaeing real estate; and, If he
fails to pay, the mortgage sells without
cost to the county. Why not apply this
rule to everything II 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.
Ills 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 judgment 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. Amt
fain lives lite of vice and idleness,
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 70
take money out Of their pockets to sup-
port him. The criminal should can
his own living q starvs. Vice has 70
night 70 tx virtue ior T. suppprk O..
III