The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1881-02-23
COLLECTING TAXES.
The 10 Per Cent. Penalty Unjust, and
Should be Abolished.

Mr.. w. Cabbage, of Warrick. intro
duced bill in the House on Friday which
merits mention simply because of its novel
ty, if for nothing else. The measure pro-
poses to abolish the 10 per cent. penalty for
the non-payment Of taxes before or upon
he first of April, and in lieu thereof substi-
tuting the legal interest. 1t was voted
down, but will be called up again and sup
ported with greater force than before.
THERE Is No GOOD REASON UNDER HEAVEN"
Mr.. Cabbage says, why the State should
levy larger penalty in collecting taxes
than is allowable in the collection Of other
debts. Indeed, it should be characterized
with more leniency. As matter OF fact,
the people who have this penalty TO pay are
of all, least able Abolish the penalty, and
the prompt payment of taxes becomes at
once a debt of honor. When the use of the
lash and the cato nine-tais was forbidden
i'm the English Navy, the service became a
model of discipline. 1t was human treat
ment alone that fOstered the present efficien-
cy OF that power.
FORCE IN ANY DEPARTMENT OF LIFE Or THE
PUBLIC SERVICE BEGETs oBsrIKACY.
A large per cent. of the delinquency upon the
tax duplicate is directly traceable to the
mode OF collection. Either the payment or
nonpayment as the matter now stands does
not affect the business standing of citizen.
In some instances the delinquent replies, Il
can make more by the use of nay money
If it were a debt of honor we would cease to
hear that But. the penalty becomes usuri-
Gus ard wicked when enforced against such
persons as are delinquents because of embar-
rassment or misfortune. In those cases il is
iniquitOus and at variance with the spirit of
pie of humanity, together with public pol
lev. demands the abolition ofthis obnoxious
penalty.
AGAINST THE PROPOSITION
81 have been met with the argment that,
inasmuch as the people have been long used
to the present mode of collection, they
would respond to no other. The same ar
guments have been used to sanctify all the
Outrages that have ever existed. i, for one,
believe nothing of the kind.
IF folly, gray with ages grown, had fewer blind
men TO adore IL.
II right made might in every fight, the world
would be the better for it,
IF the Country Treasurer under the pres
ent law, l.es not sufficient power to collect
taxes without That penalty, it is the duty of
the present Legislature To promptly clothe
him with the proper authority. During my
term in the General Assembly | shall favor
all laws contemplating a reduction of col
lectable interest. believe the present value
placed upon money superstition and in
conflict with the public good.
WHAT ARE WE DOING?
at is a false theory that ascribes the cause
of the emigration from Indiana to the States
west of the Mississippi to the fact that lands
are cheaper there than here. They are not.
1t is for the reason that the moneyed class
at the West is less distinct and less powerful
than in this State. Although l ann blessed
with an abundance, have been a witness to
this great injustice all my life. 1t is this
poor class of people, the debtor class if you
will, who are driven from their homes We
speak with admiration and wonder of the
magnificent enterprises inaugurated and
triumphantly carried out at the West. This
would occur in Indiana but for the fact that
the condition of society is such as to drive
too many of our ambitious young men
away. / do not believe that in soil, miner
ais and possibilities there is a State in this
Union that can at all compare with Indiana.
But ITS DEVELOPMENT WILL NEVER COME
FROM THE CAPITALISTS.
1t is labor that opens up new farms and
explores new mines. ile muscle that
delves in a coal field or follows pillow is sa-
cred to the State, while the money that Ian
cuisines in banks, or is loaned out at extor-
possible should be done to fos.
ter not only the public, bnt indi-
vidual credit. Four-fifths of the people who
build houses, towns and railroads want
credit. If that is destroyed, there is an end
to all Improvement and material DropreSs