The Columbus journal., 1879-02-05
ssTax Payer Begins 10 Sing a
Song TO the s'JOurnat' s'
Audience.

Audience.
EDITOR JOURNAL Il am an old
man, farmer, unused to newspa-
per writing or controversy, and like
Paul, desirous of peace, but | have
always taken deep interest in pub
lie matters, and there is a subject
that, | think, at least i'm some of its
bearings, deserves more notice than
it receives in the public prints,
which, as a rule, are satisfied with
recording facts, and echoing what
their propr;etors suppose to be the
public mind. AS common-carriers
of opinions and news they are very
excellent, and l purpose, with your
permission Mr.. Editor, to give my
opinion in the JOURNAL on a matter
that concerns everybody.
1t is well known that we Ameri-
cans, as a people, have been plang-
ing headlong into debt, and that
nearly every town, county and State
is sup to the eyes" in overdue
warrants, in ten, twenty, and thirty
year bonds, i'm certificates of in
debtedness, etc. Indeed this pile is
so high in places that it threatens
the very life of the community, and
is an encouragement to dishonesty !;
and taX-ridden people are begin
ming to question whether the flood
of repudiation which would sweep
these obligations into oblivion is
not preferable to the torch of con-
fscation, which is carried farther
every year, and which threatens to
destroy our institutions themselves
in its Unsuitable flame.
Look at our county Indebtedness
(sOme $4,000 isn't it?) and what
have we to show for it? A little
Court House, bridge across the
Platte, another over the Loup (both
of which ought to nave been built
by the State) and few little bridges
through the county-a slim array
for $4,000 of debt, bearing interest
probably at ten per cent, or $4,000
a year. Where is the value receiv-
ed? Your village Of Columbus, |
beg pardon, it is called a city, how
much Indebtedness have you? and
what is there in public sight for it
all, except a fire apparatus and a
a town-hall that must be an eye-sore
to every taxpayer?
And how is it with the State? 1t
seems that there has been a consid-
cradle balance in the treasury not
withstanding the fact that, if the
Omaha Herald is correct in its fig
ures, it takes upwards of 100000
a year 10 run our State government,
while that of New York costs but
Sl:l00,O00. Why such balance in
the treasury, and still continue to
levy heavy State taxes? The late
Developments, going TO show that
the State treasurer and others have
been speculating on the funds in his
care is sufficient reason. Somebody
is interested in making a large levy,
and having a good deal of money
on hands. Wouldn't it be pretty
good thing for you, Mr.. Editor, and
for me, if we could borrow money
at three or four cent, and loan it
again at II to 30 per cent? | am
glad to see that the Columbus bank
is not in that list of State robbers.
Does any one suppose that the law
will be vigorously enforced upon
them, and upon the county treasur-
ers and school district treasurers
who have been guilty of the same
crime? The precedents are mostly
the other way. The prevalent opin-
ion has been all along that the public
is a goose-in more respects than one,
but tax-thieves will not always rest
so easy in their little feather beds,
thus acquired. The ''public" is
very singular creature when peace
able it may be likened to the gentle
fowl which allows the good wife 10
pluck its downy coat, but when
maddened it is the ungovernable
tigeJ-fierce, merciless, unreason-
ing.
l see that | have exceeded the
limit l had set for myself, but this
may serve as a prelude TO the SUBJ
ject L wish to write about, viz: The
duties of government; the obliga-
tions of citizens; the right and limit
of taxation, SC. Yours,
TAX PAYER.
81