The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1882-09-02
TAX on MORTGAGES.


and Of the citizen to point out any ane
al abuses where they are known t.
EXIT and suggest measures Of reform
il order that the burden Of supporting
and the benefits derived from the gov
ernment nay be eqnal and just to 81
citizens. s,
That very grave abuse exists in
eur revenue law which operates unjust.
II against all the agricultural portion,
Of tbe State, in favor Of Portland, from
the fact that mortgages are not taxed
in the county where the land is situa-
ted and the mortgage recorded, ia 50
apparent that It needs no argumen
from US to demonstrates Whilst the
legal title remains in the mortgagor
the inortgagee owns jusrsuch an inter
est in the property as the mortgage
debt bears to the actual value of the
farm, and this is recognized BY the rev.
enue laws Of the State when it allows
the indebtedness deducted from the as
sessment. The injustice Of exempting
the land and mortgage debt IN the
county whore the land is situated, and
allowing the tax to be collected in the
cities where the banking and money
institutions are owned and operated,
becomes so apparent where large
proportion Of the land las is the case
in this county, is mortgaged to its as
sessed value, that no one can gainsay
it. An examination of the county
records will disclose the fact that here
IN Douglas county the land is mort
gagged above one-fourth the entire as
ssssed value Of all property, and the
mortgages owned by banking and
money-loan associations, controlled and
operated in the city of Portland. Here
We have, under our unjust system Of
taxation, one-fourth at least at the on
tire property paying direct tribute to
Portland, while less than three-fourths
bears the entire burden Of taxation
here. Every solvent person, whose
property is assessed for more than bis
Indebtedness, has to pay at least one
fourth mole in taxes than he would
etherwise have to do, while the farm
of his impecunious neighbor, which re-
ceives equal benefits and protection
fren the laws, is exempt from all share
In supporting the same and paws It's
tribute directly to the city Of Portland.
This system of injustice is working
great hardship on our people and
lzhsuld be remedied by the Legislature
which is soon to assemble. It is a
matter which directly effects Republi-
cans alike with Democrats. It is an
abuse which has long existed in this
6tate and would have been remedied
no doubt. long ago, had the agricultu-
rsl portions of the State been burdened
with debt TO ths same extent at at the
present time.
The Portland delegations will be ex-
'Pectsd to oppose, and as they have in
the past, prevent action on this ques-
tion; and being Republicans as they
all are, if the question is brought be-
fore the Legislature, as it undoubtedly
will be, seek to make it party issue
and thus defeat any legislation upon it.
We. In common with other members
OF our last Democratic State Conven-
tion, were instrumental in having the
declaration Incorporated in our plat
form--'That we favor the taxation Of
ell mortgages in The county where the
same are recorded" It was ratified by
she entire convention without a dis
senting voice The Republican Con-
vention, which met some weeks after.
having had ample time to consider the :
question in its bearing on the political
canvass. although recognizing the just .
cs OF the proposition, fearing that their
party would lose votes in Portland, if
hey should favor it, and not daring to 6
'fend tie agricultural portions Of the Il
state BY opposing it, passed it by in ST 6,
sncs, not having sufficient stamina or ii
honesty Of purpose to oppose the meas v
ne. lu
During the canvas we took occasion r
: talk with many Of our Republican Il
riends who are taxpayers in this B
ounty, upon this question, who with i,
Mt exception, admitted the justice Of b,
he proposition and the necessity for o.
legislative action, but claimed that It -
'as not party measure. The action cb
tie ceming Legislature will demon n
rate the fallacy Of this position. The r.
lamocracy are fully pledged to the re
and Il defeated il viii be BY gr
is united action Of the sRep,lba aican ma 70
'tity and fully demonstrate to our i
Irming community that Portland awns -