River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-01-23
FARMERS, LEGISLATION AND TAX
ALTON.

| ture, made by us some TWO weeks
since. We do not wish to be under
stood as having intimated that farm
ers have no reason to complain of leg
! islation which in many instances
seems to discriminate against the ag-
ricultural class, because we believe, on
the contrary, that they have just cause
| for complaint in this direction; but as
farmers are usually, as in 1879, well
represented in the Legislature by men
of their own avocation, the lawyers,
| doctors, merchants, manufacturers,
etc., among whom there has never ex-
listed any organized combination of
| forces as a whole, are no more respon-
| sible for the laws on our statute books
that impose unequal burdens upon
farmers than are the farmer legisla-
tors. The great discrepancy of the
relative amount of tax paid by rail-
way companies, when compared with
| that paid by other people is one OF the
most conspicuous inequalities i'll the
payment of taxes and a just cause OF
complaint by farmers who as Il rule
are in reality more heavily taxed than
any other class; farm property is WIS.,
iblc TO the assessor and a disposition
| for evasion, if it existed, would avail
nothing. We shall in future issue
undertake to show that il the tenden-
cy of the law-makiEg power of Wis
consin has not been to reduce the rev.
enue of the State from other sources
than direct taxation, such revenue
could be greatly increased without
working injustice to corporations and
| that it should be so increased, and
thus the annually levy of State tax
very materially reduced. Taxation is
always affected by legislation and it
is within the province of the Legisla-
ture to more evenly balance the bur-
den which taxation imposes. 1t can
not reasonably be expected that per-
lection will ever be attained in this
matter, but there is a wide field for
improvement and very large class of
people who Justly insist that improve
ment be made. We doubt not that
methods could be devised by which
this problem could be solved with APP
proximate accuracy if those most
deeply interested would proceed in the
right way to work them out, and while
the writer hereof does not pretend to
be an adept in the laudable work of
| initiating reforms, he will probably
do no harm and may proffer ''food for
thought" by vef1turing few thoughts
upon this subject. Assuming that this
desired reform must be accomplished
| through legislative action, If at all, the
most important factor entering into
the consideration of this question is
that of securing for members of the
legislature the proper men for carry
ing out this work. We readily con-
cede that this will be Il very difficult
thing to do, but if ventured upon by
all who are interested as being COM
mon cause, and in the same spirit that
prompts the organization of ordinary
associations of the several trades and
professions, would not be impossible.
TO labor for the improvement indicat-
ed none need forsake their political
parties or preferences; let all who ia.
vor aggressive legislation in securing
to all equal and exact justice in mat.
tiers of taxation-and there is ma.
iority of this clasS--combine, each In
their respective political organiza
lions, and secure the nomination tC
the Legislature of men of practical
common sense, sound judgment and
whose past lives would be an assurance
that they would faithfully represent
their constituents; let the men sc
nominated commit themselves to q
platform opposed to any attempt upon
their part, either directly or indirect
ly, to secure n reelection and i'll favor
of the reform demanded, and let then
be men whose word is as good as theil
bond; nominations thus made woult
secure the election of good men to The
Legislature, no matter which of the
political parties should be the success
full one; then let men thus elected turn
a cold shoulder to the Establishments
of the lobby, respectfully decline al
favors at the hands of railway, ex
! press, telegraph and other corpora
tions and men. designed to influences
their action, and under no obligation!
save to perform their whole dut.
! without fear of punishment or hope o
reward, enter upon the performance
, of their labors in behalf of JUSTICE
justice alike to corporations and thu
people. While we would not array
, one class, profession or avocatiol
against another for the purpose of un
Just oppression, we apprehend tina
the concert of action which we hav,
suggested would be both Legitimate
, and proper, though it would play sal
havoc with political estates" ant
, small-fry politicians.