Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1884-09-10
ON TAXATION.

Every laboring man, every farmer an,
every business man is interested in tb,
subject of taxation. The first great ques
ton of government is how to conduct i
economically, so as to require as little taxa
ton as possible The next great question
is how to raise the taxation required with
the least burden upon the people. Gov
ernor Cleveland was keenly alive TO the
Importance of judicious system of taxa
ton, and in all his annual messages to the
State Legislature of New York, he devoted
large portion of each to the discussion
of this question. He shows comprehen-
sive grasp of the matter, and makes val
liable and practical suggestions for re-
form, and 1t is note worthy fact that
each of these suggestions is in the direc-
ton of relieving the poor and placing
taxation where it justly belongs, upon
those who can afford TO bear it.
The imperfection of our laws touching the
matter or taxation, or the faulty execution OF
parent. e' up
=. j" The power OF the State to exact from the
cltHen a part OF his earnings and income for the
support or the Government, this obviously shouId
pc exercised with absolute fairness and iustice
When Il is not so exercised the people are on.
pressed. Inns furnishes the highest and best
reason why laws should be enacted and exN
ecuted winch viii subject all property. as all
alike need the protection Of the State TO an
equal share In the burdens of TAXATION Nv
which the Government is maintained" -
And in his second year. greatly am.
plifying the treatment of this subject he
thus expressed himself:
The tendency of our prosperity a. 4, the
direction OF the accumulation of immense For
tunes, largely Invested In personal propertt
anu si,, yet aggregate valuation, as fixed for the
purpose OF taxation, is constantly decrea sad
while that of real estate is Increased Eor ~,
year OF 1852 the valuation of personal propertv
subject TO taxation was determined at &sip oo,y
ls9 and the real estate at 81 43p e6i 40; +, ,aas
the assessed valuation Of personal properfv was
n6ed at $Slo, O5sOso, and real estate S2bS7 aIs
The present law permits, in the case ~ mar.
sonal property, the Indebtedness of its ppo o |
SCISSOR 70 be deducted from its value, and allows
no such deduction ia favor of real estate
though II be represented by MORTGAGE ,yhtoSL |
Is specific lien npon such real estate persnn
al properly, IN need more than any other of The
projection or the government, when discovarad
escapes taxation TO the extent of its o,,,nnr,
Indebtedness, though such indebtedness 10 hasa5 |
upon the ordinary credit In the TRANSACTION ~ |
the tanSro vi rs ncutlous and manufactured for
But real property, the existence of which cen.
not be concealed is, in contemplation Of the
law, taxed according TO its full Valuation
tnough the incumbrance upon Il easily diyasts |
the owner OF its title though the Interest and
perhaps part OF the principal must, as well as
the tax, annually be met and though II sold the
amount due upon this lien must always he de-. |
Of the land. "' 'he price
This statement does not necessarily laad q,
q deduction OF the amount of any inctImbrance
upon real estate from its valuation for the nur
pose or taxaton; but IL does suggest that 10Th
real and personal property should be placed
upon the same footing, by abolishing, in ali
cases any deduction for debts. This amend.
m m with some others regulating the manner
IN whlch loca! assessors should perform tbejr
1uties, would do much towards Kidding on
present system ofits imperfections '"'
TX measures more radical In their nat,,.o
having for their object the exaction Of taxes,
which are Justly due, should be deemed ,risa
nope Their passage win not be prevented nnd.r
me specious pretext that the means nronosad
are inquisitorial and contrary TO the sniff ~
our institutions. The object is to prevent The
honor OF the state in its dealings with it's citi1
ms, 10 prevent the rich, by Sinking taxation
rom adulng 10 the burdens OF the poor and fo
relieve the landhoders from unjust ,jiscrtanira
49,. he 7pirit OF our institutions dic,ates