The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1886-02-12
Communication.
Editor of PIONEER EMPRESS.

The general question is "What makes
my taxes SO high?' This, however,
comes us often when comparatively low,
as otherwise. But on the whole, are
taxes high? AS compared with 1884
they are considerably higher. On a
valuation of about S2,7OO.OOO in 1854 we
paid $50, GOO taxes; OH u valuation of 49,
100000 in 1855 we pay nearly the same
amount, or say three cents OH the dollar.
AS to whether this is high or low, is quail
fed to Il certain extent by the direct or
indirect use or benefit of the money paid.
OF the total amount levied about sc, 900
for 1885, S29,3S9.0O is special school tux
levied directly by the people in school
meetings to which if we add the general
school tax OF 2 mills amounting to 81, 54O.-
90, and the school poll of $l.OO to each
man. amounting to s., 293.0O, which latter
are levied by statute, we have total of
$50, 1890, that is to say over AZ per
cent of the total tax levy is directly for
schools and the result of the action Tor
perhaps inaction) of the individual voter
and tax payer.
Again, the total amount of tax levied
for townships for 1885 amounts $l4,9ll 90
or over l9per cent OF the total levy, and
this tax is levy made in public town
meeting by a majority vote. Adding
this per centage to that levied by schools
We havea totalof GGs per cent, or two.
thirds, of the whole tax, the result of the
peoples opinion of what they are willing
and able to pay for their own schools and
townships. These moneys for townships
and schools are not under control of the
County Commissioners, or any body
whatever, until paid over to the respcc-
tive townships or districts to which they
belong, excepting the County Superin-
tendent's action in dividing the general
school fund, according to the number of
children i'll each district. The remaining
one third OF taxes is out of the reach of
the ordinary taxpayer; and is largely
controlled by circumstances and necessary
expenses. They are made up as follows:
Territorial fund, $4,000 County fund,
81 ,S4S.Oo; Interest, S2,95OOO Road and
bridge, 3S,404.O0. The Territorial tax is
levy sent us by the Territorial Board of
Equalization. This levy i'll past years has
been greatly criticized by the press OH
account Of its unfairness to Northern
Dakota. This money when collected is
sent to the Territorial Treasurer at Bis
marck. In the three remaining funds
the County Commissioners have to exer-
else their judgment in levying and to
some extent, at least, the expenditure, of
the same. The interest fund is to paw
the interest on the court house bonds
amounting to 10000, the interest OH
which amounted to $4,000 per year :;
and the funded debt bonds amounting
to S25,000.00 the interest OH which IS
100000 per year. This levy is q little
short of the sum needed but we had q
small surplus. last year and, if necessary,
we can draw on the county fund for
the balance. The county fund is under
the direct control Of the County Commits
sioners, and is used to pay all the gener-
al county expenses, such as court, officers,
salaries, safes stationery, Jail, etc., etc.
In addition to this sum under the present
law, the liquor licenses amounting to
from 100000 to SO 100000 !. year, and the
penalties and interest paid by delinquent
tax payers, go to the county fund. The
probability is that this levy will be re-
duced one or two mills at least for tho
next year. The other fund is a general
road and bridge fund under the control OF
the county commissioners and is given
to the various townships to helpthem out
on large and expensive bridges, etc.
The perusal ofthe head lines of your
tax receipt will show each individual
tax payer for what his money was paid,
and where it will go v; and will also show
that by attending his shortly ensuing
township and school district meetings he
can exert some influence on his own
taxes and there, after due consideration
of the needs of his township and school
district, say for himself whether his tux
be high or low for 1886. Remember that
the county commissioners cannot possibly
make the general rate meaning Territory,
county, interest, general school and
bridge funds, less than 10 mills. Re.
member not to make the township tax Sc
high, that an adequate levy for the
school district added will be exorbitant
or vice versa, think Of the needs of both
And lastly when you come to pay, first
ask yourself if you have done your duty
as citizen i'll levying these taxes, and il
you nave, then grumhIe You have earn.
ed the right TO DO SO, if you choose
Otherwise, hold Your peace. Another
paper will follow next week on the gen.
eral subject of levies for road labor, and
making returns thereof.
+. A. WAnDwELL, Co. Treas.