Savannah morning news., 1885-02-19
Two Ways to Increase the States
Revenues,

Revenues.
Judge Reese, in his able letter on State
finances, which we published on Mon
day, said in substance, that the people
might as well understand at once that the
capitol cannot be built unless the rate of
taxation is increased, and he advised that
the rate be increased from 3 mills to 81
mills.
IL seems TO be pretty well understood
at Atlanta teat the present tax rate Will
not meet the requirements Of the govern
ment. The work of constructing the cap
itol is not to be stopped, of course, and
the expenses Of maintaining the govern
ment must be met promptly.
The question which the Legislature
must settle when it meets next summer,
is whether it will enact an assessment
law by which all the property of the State
can be reached and made to bear its just
burden of taxation. or increase the rate
of taxation.
We have maintained, and still main-
tain, that if the property of the State were
honestly assessed, the revenues from the
present rate of taxation would De ample
to meet all the demands upon the State
Treasury. 1t is probable, however, that
the Legislature will not attempt to give
the State an assessment law that will re-
lIeve it Of its financial difficulties, but. if
it does anything, VIII increase the rate of
taxation.
1t appears to be necessary that some
thing shall he done. Ii there isn't the
credit of the State will suffer. The men,
bers Of the Legislature might as well be-
gin to think of this matter now and pre-
pare themselves to discharge a very dis
agreeable duty. 1t is u dlsagreeable
duty to place additional burdens upon the
people.
The honest taxpayers of the State Will
never have better opportunity than that
which will be presented to them next
summer of protesting against the lnjus-
tice of the present assessment law. Let
them appoint a committee to appear be-
fore the Legislature and exhibit the in
Justice which the tax-books show. Let
them point out that there are hundreds of
thousands and, perhaps, millions of dol
lars worth of property which pays no tax
at all. and that great part of the prop
erty of the State is taxed at about one
fourth of its market value.
The Legislature will be forced TO take
notice of presentation of facts like these,
and may determine to increase the States
revenue 10y honest taxation rather than
10y increasing the rate OF taxation.
The New York Times in an interesting
editorial article calls attention TO paper
recently read before an English scientific
society, in which it was demonstrated
that for the last fifty years the human eye
has steadily and rapidly deteriorated.
Near-sighted persons are becoming more
numerous, and what Is known as the
"fiat eye" has become quite common.
The Times writer says: alarming as it
may sound, it is evident from the statis-
tics quoted in the scientific paper already
mentioned that the human race is in
fair way to lose its eyesight. If the decay
of eyesight goes on at the rate
that it has gone on for the last fifty
years civilized man will be totally blind
at the end Of another century. 1t is
time for us to take the alarm and
to endeavor if possible to save the eyes of
civilized man. 1t has been suggested
that our athletic sports, while they afford
every encouragement TO the development
of legs, arms, and chests, do nothing for
the eyes. 1t would therefore be well if we
had some form of sport which would en-
courage the improvement of eyesight.
We might nave eye matches, for example,
with prizes for those who could
see furthest and clearest. There could
he winkIng matches, open to persons
of both sexes, tor the purpose of
strengthening the muscles OF the eyelid,
and government might offer premiums to
blue-eyed babies, and thus encourage the
style of eye which, according to oculists,
is best adapted for ordinary wear and
tear. Something must be done, and that
very quickly, or our grandchildren will
be stOnc-blind, and even the certainty
that the gas companies will be ruined will
not be compensation for such terrible
evil"
D.. l,o - na ,-o Torrv ono Of