Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-06-30

O6bWCco A004O4ot0 8kk0 kAOo-
residents? Il 10 double TAXATION any
way, and - such 10 unjuss and unrea-
sonable, a. we'll - contrary 70 our o.
eanic Law. IL has besn admitted By
many Of oar Legislators thAt Is 10 unjust
bat they say IL must b done 90 - TO
make up for property cJuCealed from
Nov Is seems clear TO my mind that II
make Just and equitable laws and leave
much time and attention 10 this
the result has been that the only con-
plan have found to obviate
double taxation and to do justice to all
tangible property of intrinsic taxable
value wherever found and located, and
nothing more. The theory Is, that pro-
perty for the purpose Of taxation stands
independent and recognizes no owner
This position does not prevent the hold
ing Of real property responsible for
taxes on personal property controlled
capita tax. Ut course I cannot under
take 70 discuss this important subject
fully, II would take mp every column Of
your journal. and then tho subject
would only be fairly begun; but IN order
TO show for certainty that under our
present revenue Law il Ia impossible ~
avoid double taxation. / viii refer to
ono instance which has come under my
personal observation, Ia q matter Of
public record and will cover the whole
ground.
Some time in the month Of January
last A felt it TO be his interest TO invest
q certain sum Of money in your county,
and lacking four hundred dollars Of the
amount required, goes TO friend B and
asks him by way Of accommodation for
the loan Of that amount. Friend B
tells him that he has the money, but
that he had intended to invest it else
where; but, wishing TO accommodate
friend A, agrees 70 let him have the
money on condition that hs give good
security and pay 10 Der cent. interest,
and in addition agrees voluntarily TO
pay taxes thereon, or, as an alternative,
pay II per cent. interest. A gladly ac-
oopts the first proposition. and executes
the note to b secured by mortgage ON
his farm, and Immediately forwards the
money over to your county for invest
meat in real estate. On the first Mon
day Of February following, tho Assessor
g0es 10 the record and assesses tho four
hundred dollars to b, holding AS farm
responsible for the tax; then he asses
es AS farm at its rateable valuation,
allowing NO deduction for the incum-
branccs; and, at the Same time, the
assessor Of your county, az q matter of
course, Assesses the property purchased
by AZ four hundred dOllarA Now,
assert that no person Of common un-
derstanding can deny or aay that this
Ia not double taxation. A has to pay
the Territory directly 81 the rate Of Ave
mills on the dollar, and tho county at
the rate Of thirty -four mills, which 10
exactly double; and right hare this ques-
ton may properly be asked: Why
should Be money DO liable Tor taxes
here any more than Il would have been
II b had sent it directly to your county
or elsewhere? II was not here, not in
his pos 20 sion, nor under his control on
the hrst Monday In February. It 10 not
the am. IT III dollars and cents that
troubles A so much as the OhaQrin of
having 1t appear that the valuo Of his
farm has been enhanced by the eneum-
branCe, when he knows the effect is
right the reverse. But this il not the
only method By which We psrsec1te and
make capital pay double taxes. Il 10
generally admitted, and Il cannot be
otherwise, that all property except
money ID valued by the assessor at an
average Of fifty per cent. Of its real
value, or In other words, II person in
vest $1,000 a few days before assessment,
the property 10 valued at $500. Now, to
give money its Just protection, the one
who returns to the asseoDor $1,000 in
cash, should be put down at $500. This
the assessor could do now without vio-
lating tho present law.
Now let Us for q moment take glance
at the effect Of our pernicious system of
taxsti0n. Il Is not only An undeniable
wrong to the individual taxpayers, but
II 10 also great injury to our Territory
at large. We say In effect to the capital
ists who como here: II you want 10 In
vest among us you must Ray speoial or
excise tax Of about two Der can't. on
every dollar Won invest. This 10 clearly
and unmistakAbly tho effect Of our pres
eut system. Everyone With any 6usi-
neae capacity knows that thu borrowing
and lending Of money ID essential in
every pursuit Of business and industry; |
and the silly idea that we oan compel
he lender BY Law 20 pay taxes ON his |
Investment 10 moro 'boSh," a. I have
illustrated. I am aware |
hat this pernici0us system exists In tho |
States Of California and OREGON and |
perhaps elsewhere, but that ID NO ex-
,uee Tor adopting IL here. It il . veIl |
Known fast that millions Of ospitsl have |
already left California On aoooant Of |
such persecution and injustice, and nm
ess Ne take heed and encourage capital |
J similar catastrophe may befalf ua. |
bnt must ont short and will cav that |
hope that our next LeQislature
.tll adopt the principles Of my suopee-
IONS and show to the world that here Al
east capital shall DO free from peraeou-
ions; that Il shall not be oompalled n
pay double taxes. Give the systsm /
aave suQReeted fair trial, and / Vill
take INV reputation (if / have anvil
has Il will prove . complete success and
lverlasting blessing. Instead Of hum
lreds Of dollars now returned 20 The a.
'essor Tor taxation, Il will Be thousands
md tens Of Thousands. Capital Mn
low into our prosperous Tertiary. not
My from other States and Territoriea.
,ue nom every country and CLINE, and
Move all contentment viii reign su-
'rsme among all Glasses and Condition.
Z our citizens. Again ! ask, give Il .
PAcr1lc Couxrr, W. T., yune l e. lsss