The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1888-05-18
UNEQUAL TAXATION.
An Address by Ex-senator Allen. He
Intends 10 Pay His Share of Faxes and
No More

On Monday afternoon, after the adjournment
OF court, Mr.. h. NJ. Allen addressed a meeting,
In tue Court House, on his favorite topic, TAX.
alton" The meeting was ANAL but the audience
listened atteGi!vely, and while complete assent
was, perhaps, not given TO all of Mr. Aliens
arguments, set there was force in much that he
sad, and food Tor thought for those who mike
and administer the laws relating TO taxation.
MIR. Allen, Ia the first place, said his occupa-
ton had prevented him from paying much al
tention 10 the tax laws until he was accident.
ally elected To the Senate. Then he endeavor-
ed To Inform himself on the subject, and could
not express his disgust at the laws of taxation,
lie hud made an earnest endeavor to reform
those laws. The Bill Of Rights declares that
every person in the State or holding nronerty
therein ought 10 contribute his portion of pub.
Tic taxes Tor the support of the government &C.
cordlng TO his worth in real and personal pro-
perty: This principle, Mr. Allen maintained,
Is violated in existing tax laws, the poor PEG.
pie paving at least two-thirds of the taxes gath
cred Tor The support of the government Of the
STATE. 10 equalize taxation every citizen
should give in to the proper officers statement
of all his property aud the claims against him,
The diilctencc would represent the amount upon
which he ought to pay taxes
IL is not only the man in debt who is deeply
wrohSea hu' every citizen of Hartford county
to do.
The Legislature, he commended. had no right
10 exempt mortgages or any thing else from
taxation. Thy inequality is shown by the fact
Ihat from 1910 to 1850 the population of the
STATE Increased ID per cent, or about 15l 900,
WINE the assessment upon individuals has de-
creased about S30,000,0O There has been, he
admitted, an increase IN the assessments of cor
porallous by the Tax Commissioner The fail.
urc TO pass the assessment bill was to enable
certain class to cheat the people further
III new assessment were made in Hartford
county basis Wpuil In two
OF thirteen Millions and our taxes 60 cents in.
stead oil w. He claimed that IS, 000, 900 are ex.
empted III mortgages in Hartford county
None Money ought to be taxed also, and if this wore
BANKS, together with as much more in the
hands OF the people, would be added to the
basis. There Is, also, at least 81, 500 900 of per-
sohal property in the county which is not taxed
all OF which would swell the basis of taxation
to SCI 600 600
1t has been urged that if you tax mortgages
you Will raise the rate of interest. He had as
certalned that in York county, Pa, where mort
cages are taxed money can be borrowed on
such security from to per cent, the most of
1t being loaned under five per cent
Mr.. Allen thought railroads were not taxed
sufficiently. The Baltimore and Ohio, for in
stance, should pay taxes in the exact proper
ton which the length of their line in Hartford
county bears TO the entire road For instance
u the road cost ten million dollars and one
llith OF II is III harfold county, it should be as
sessed Tor one fifth of the entire cost or 81 OO0-
ooO, instead OF $500. The Maryland Central
too, he thought, should be assessed at SIS COO
mile instead $4,000
Mr.. Allen declared that lie did not intend to
pay me illegal tax any longer. He would offer
the Collector the amount justly due, and If re-
fused, 1t will be the duty of the County Com
missioners to make the Collector levy upon his
property. When that is done he would get out
an injunction and carry the matter to tie Cir