The Bozeman weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1889, 1883-11-21

The Courier OF TINS morning IN long
article calls us to task for an article in
last weeks daily in regard to excessive
taxation, and while we admit that the
figures we gave upon what was our best
information at the time are erroneous it
does not lessen the fact that we are taxed
great deal more than We ought to be.
1t goes for nothing that wages are higher
or that our merchants sell for much
larger margin of profit than in the east.
The fact remains that are are taxed more
than the public needs demand. The
Courier says: "The facts we acknowlede
are bad enough, and do not in our opin-
ion reflect very creditably upon the
financial judgment of our county fathers
and again in closing says, "And further
fact that there has been no delinquent
tax list worth publishing in Gallatin
county for several years past, is strong
point in favor of the general prosperity
of our people and complete refltation
of the CHRONICLES article regarding ca
cess;re taratio,," (the italics are ours).
Now let us give little history. When
James f. Martin, J. NJ. Robinson and
Charles Anceny entered upon their
duties as County Commissioners, the
editor of this paper was County Clerk,
and that board realizing that our people
were excessively taxed reduced the tax
levy from twenty-five mills to seventeen
mills the first year. The second year
they reduced the tax levy to fourteen
mills and from our own knowledge would,
if they had remained in power, reduced
the tax this year to twelve mills on the
dollar, but new regime came in, board
consisting of two Republicans and one
Democrat, and the tax levy was raised to
seventeen mills without anv appearant
reason therefor. The CHRONICLE will az
its editor always has done, advocate the
lowering of taxes, believing it to be to
the interest of the public, tightening Of
the burdens Of our people, that it will in
vite closer assessment, that it will in
duce property to come in when higher
taxation will drive away. But another
fact which we had overlooked and it is
pertinent to ask the question. What
effect did the reductions spoken of have
upon the finances of Gallatln county ?
In both instances cited, it proved wise,
in that it showed that they we're higher
than was absolutely necessary, as the
current expenses of the county was paid
and large proportion of the debt ex-
ing,lished. Where is the necessity of
making us who are here, ray off the en-
tire indebtedness of the county? 1t is a
mere baeatelle any way, in view OF the
future growth and wealth of the county.
We could expatiate for hours on the
advantages of low levy, bringing as
much revenue as an excessive one, but
we believe the reasons would be patent
to every observing person. We have a
right to complain Of excessive taxation
and we do not intend to let this matter
rest until we secure it. In conclusion
we may say that the figures given in the
Courier are correct, and as it says are bad
enough, we think too bad: but it added
nothing to the merit Of its article, to go
out of the way and hurl a fling at one of
our enterprising real estate men, who
has invested largely here and fighting all
the time for the interest of the county,
nor to refer to those whom the railroad
has invited here as the "scum of society"
Our purpose shall have been accomplish
ed if we can make our county fathers see,
our people see, that we are taxed more
than of right or necessity we should Ike.