The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1884-10-24
Double Taxation.

The following communication APP
peared in the Montpelier Daily JoWnal
of Friday last:
M. E,}tOr:-I am glad to see dis
position manifested on the part of the
press of Vermont to discuss the very
important subject of double taxation, a
subject of vital Importance, not only to
the class SO uniustly treated, but 10 ev-
cry class and every citizen who feels in
his business relations that encourage
ment which general prosperity inn
parts, or the depression which general
financial disaster brings with it. The
financial prosperity of our State de-
ponds almost wholly upon her agricul-
tural resources. From this source also
must come to large extent the means
for social development. Agricultural
success in State like Vermont implies
great deal 1t carries with it not only
financial prosperity to every Legitimate
trade aud calling, but it brings high
er civilization in its train. 1t implies
better homes, better common schools,
academies and colleges. Through
these channels every social interest is
affected. The vital question is, shall
the Legislature of Vermont foster and
protect those interests upon which her
prosperity depends? Shall they be re-
lieved of unjust and oppressive bur-
dens, or shall these be continued and
multiplied? The impediments to agri-
cultural prosperity are indeed discour-
aging. They are found in a ruinous
western competition, in the fact that
the western farmer is practically near
er our eastern markets than the farm
ers of Vermont; in the increased prev
alence of drouth; in the injury to our
markets wrought by the avarice and
greed of citizens of other States; in the
dishonest aduteration of agricultural
products, as well as in unjust taxation.
Some of these drawbacks to agricul-
tural prosperity are unavoidable. The
latter, which by no means is the least
of these evils, may be remedied, and it
will be the fault the Legislature now
i'll session if the unjust burden which
double taxation now imposes, not only
upon our agriculture, but upon every
productive industry of Vermont, in
proportion to the amount of real estate
necessarily employed in its prosecu-
ton. Two bills relating to this matter
have already been introduced into the
House. They are House bills Nos. 81
and 80. While the passage of the for
mer would be a step in the right direc'
ton, it is not sufficiently well guarded
to ensure its proper execution. The
latter, though not complete in all its
details, is so well guarded that there
can be no escape from the just taxation
OF real estate because of any defect il
its provisions. While it relieves the
one party from the payment of taxes
on real estate which he practically does
not own, it firmly holds the mortgageol
TO the payment of taxes in proportion
to his interest in the real estate, while
it relieves him from taxation on the
amount remaining unpaid on the notes
described in his mortgage. 1t add
nothing directly to the burdens of TIT
MORTGAGE, while il is Just relief tC
the mortgageor. One objection raiset
by the opponents of the bill is doubles
valid one, that practically the mort
gage will in some cases compel tn,
mOrtgageOr to pay the taxes, not onl,
on his own interest in the estate bu
for both parties, and thus escape taxa
ton TO the amount unpaid on his mort
gage notes. This defect may be easil,
remedied by the addition of section
making such compulsion a usuriou
transaction, and, on conviction, com
polling the restitution of double tn
amount thus fraudulently obtained. Blu
| do not propose at this time to full
discuss the merits of any bill, or prop
osition, looking to reformation in thi
matter. The object of this communi
cation will be attained if it will be in
strumental in attracting public atter
ton to this very important subject
One may very properly ask in this con
nection whether the sons of Vernon
shall be driven from us to other States
where they will not be taxed on proI
erty which they practically do not own
Shah the leading productive industrie
of Vermont be crushed by Vermonters
Shall the best interests of our State b
disregarded by our Legislators? Wi
the owners of real estate permit tn
continuance of an unjust and ruinou
discrimination against that intere'
whereby its value is deprecated! An
finally, can the capitalist even afford {
aid in the ruin of those industries whic
should furnish him with his safest il
vestments?