The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-01-03
fact that small editor of a small Republi-
can paper demanded $500. The small paper
supports DoxeY
TAXATION, REVENUE AND ExPEND-
JTURE

ITURE.
The SKNTIHEL believes in honest taxation.
Probity is the cornerstone OF reform. 1t Is
supreme folly to anticipate uprightness in
fiscal affairs n unfairness permeates the
groundwork of the business. 1t is we'll
known that q vast amount of wealth is
shielded by law from taxation. OF this we
do not complain, though the fact makes it
more dIfficult for those who have not made
such investments to support Governments.
In the first place. there are outstanding
SAG. 6S1 .0l6 United States notes (greenbacks)
exempt from taxation and fully $500, 600, 900
of United States bonds held by the people,
also exempt from taxation. II, in addition
to these amounts, State securities and mu-
nicipal securities, exempt from taxation,
could be ascertained and added, the sum
total would be sufficient to staftle the most
stolid citizen. But, as such exemptions are
legal, nothing is to be said. The only thing
to be done is to honestly tax what there is
left. 1t is not difficult to illustrate our idea.
1t is a well-known fact as patent as it is
fragrant, that men of property, which can
be covered up, are ceaseleSsly on the alert
devising means to avoid taxation, ard it is
furthermore well known that, by Numerous
devices, men who otherwise stand fair in
a community do not hesitate to cheat the
State or municipality in matters of taxa
ton. Revenue once secured under such
embarrassing circumstances should be
economically husbanded. The custodians OF
the funds should be honest men. The
people, however, in matters of finance
should take nothing for granted. The &C
counts of the custodians should be fire.
quently examined to see that every
thing is square, and to prevent
deialcation. The money thus obtained
and guarded should be expended for the
public good: and it is just here that the
people have ceaseiess occasion for COM plain.
Money wrung from taxpayers is shamefully
squandered. Profigacy instead of probity
rules. Instances of robbery multiply, and
in almost every case taxpayers are confront |
ed with the fact that their money, contrib |
uted according to law, has been expended |
in direct violation OF law. De-
faulting officials who have robbed |
lshed. This condition of things prompts
officials, and newspapers which work in their
interest, to be ceaseleSsly crying down the
proper expenditure of money. Such papers |
do not demand honest taxation nor the
punishment Of Treasury robbers. They
simply cry economy" 1t is easily under
stood, il the peoples money is
stolen there is less TO be expend-
ed for the public good. whereas, if integ
rity prevailed, important advantages would |
accrue to the taxpayers, to the community |
at large. 1t Is we'll known that here in |
Marion County about $50 900 of the taxpsy-
ers' money is in the hands of four deianlt |
ing Treasures. Why not have the money |
refunded or let the people know the reason
why the laws are violated with impunity |
Fifty thousand dollars would, if properly |
expended, aid materially in carrying for
ward much needed Improvements. 1t is |
worthy Of remark that those who
are guilty of hagrant violations
of the law those who the most Justify |
cry economy" Here in Indianapolis.
urder the plea OF economy" the street
lamps are extinguished ard the city shroud |
ed in ebon blackness, because the M oon issup-
posed to be shining, though the clouds, posi- |
bly, five miles IN thickness, completely oh
scuTe its light Such economy" gives the
city to foo! pads and garroters. murder and |
not. Under the plea of "econ-
omy" the police force is reduced
to a shameful sham, and is regarded as
OF little or no value. Under the plea of
economy" the streets Of the city are filled
with filth, and the mud in the cutters is
lew with the curbstones. Under the plea
of economy" the Market Houses OF the |
city are standing disgrace. If public
spirited citizens seek to get cut of the mud
and filth they are met by the cry of |
economy" Footpads knock down and
rob. People thread their way through
streets shrouded in darkness. The police are
so few and far between as to be of little or
no service. People who come to the city to
sell their market stuff to the people SILVER
under shanties unfit for dog-kennels. Rings
rule and riot, and still the cry is econ.
omy." A ceaseless hellabaloo is kept up
about closing saloons, but little or
nothing is said about honest assess
ments, the scrutiny of official con-
duct, the punishment of defauliers,
or The honest disbursement of the
peoples money. Let us have honest taxa
ton, honest men to control the revenues,
an honest administration of the law, and an
honest disbursement of the peoples money.
These requirements secured. the cry about
economy" will cease to be the most vulgar
clsplrsp, and the people. seeing their money
ho' estly disbursed, will pay their taxes
u hout comnIainf