Morning journal and courier., 1883-11-14
ArAxpAYERs' COMMITTEE

In an article published some time ago 1e said that few influential men acting in con cert might, by attending the town meetings, the meetings of the school district, and by appearing before the executive boards of the city government and the committees of the Common Council, accomplish a great deal towards the reduction of taxation and for the cause of good government in this city. We suggested citizens retrenchment commit tee. We are very glad to learn that our srg- gestion has been adopted, snd that a move ment among some of our heaviest taxpayers is already on foot to organize 8 taxpayers committee for these purposes. In addition to what we have already suggested this con- nnittee can examine the tax lists and ascer- tain whether the assessments are justly and impartially laid. They cen inquire how tEe money collected by taxation is expended; whether the salaries paid by the city, town and school district are proportionete to the work done by thoss who receive them; ho V many unnecessary officials there are; whether assistant clerks arc doing the work for which chief clerks are paid, and put the community in possession of good deal of information that is sorely needed. We have always thought that ''assistsnts' and assistants as- sissants presented 8 very interesting theme for investigation. We have, for instance, a city clerk and an assistant city clerk. We have judge of the City court who sits three weeks and an assistant judge who sits one week, and prosecuting attorney and assistant prosecuting attorney who divide the work between them in a similar propor- tion. We have also a clerk of the City court and an assistant clerk. These gentlemen, so far as we know, are performing the duties required of them by the law, and are dividing their work ao. cording to the salaries received. We of course intend no criticism upon them, but are these assistants needed at all Are not their positions an unnecessary leak in the treasury?
 These and hundreds of other similar questions demand investigation, and they never will be investigated until the citizens themselves undertake it. An energetic tax payers committee we have no doubt can make good many interesting and useful discoveries. It can find out where the leaks in the treasury are, and take measures to stop them, but the first and most important thing is to find them tax of two per cent. indicates good deal of leakage some. where, and the public want to know and ought to know where it is.
 While we wish in every way to encourage this movement, VIC warn those who are en gagged in it that organization alone will amount to but little. Politicians are noi apt to set very high value upon citizens movements. The taxpayers must not expec, to win the battle by merely hoisting stan. dard. Evils are not going to be reformed bJ few influential signatures signed to pro test If taxpayers committee is to accom- plish anything it must work, and if it in- tends to discover the sources of high taxa ton it will soon find that it has enough tc do. We hope this movement will succeed and believe that nothing but al ack of activ. ity can make it ursuccessful Ths expert rnent has been tried in other cities with ex cellent results.