The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1888-10-26
The Truth of the Matter
MR.. BURT AND STATE TAX.

who persistenty and continuously goes about reer
atng flaming falsehoods and basey disappearing facts
unworthy the confidence of an intelligent people.
Were not Mr. Burt candidate for the highest office within
the gift of the State and where intelligence honor and
tegrty expected his ignorance wfu deception the
case may be, might be overlooked.
But the citizens eff Michigan going be bnde by
the glamour of his gold the deceit he is pacticing
These of the statements he making, and though
he has again and again been told of his ERRORS he continues
his wild OF Misrepresentation He tells his hearers
that State taxes have increased as follows
1880 sSo4S31.91
1887 81 $50 OS5l6.
He then tells his hearers how they increased per
years and that this great increase used largely
for pin money That of S9O812O7 included in the APP
preparation bill for general purposes passed by the last egs
ature dollar of it to the State institutions etc
With these staten and figures he rings the changes with
out explanations the most of which absolutely false i'll fact
and the others distorted to his base purpose
If Mr. Burt desires to be honest and to impress his hearers
with the candor they have right demand of him. why does
he not also tell them the following truths!
l. That he has selected 1880 for the that
lower then than any year since 1875 and that he selected
1887 because in that year they the highest.
g That taxes always much higher the odd years than
in the even because of the of the Legislature and
the appropriations made and largely assessed and paid in the
firsttaxe after the legislature closes.
g. Why does he tell them that he compares odd year
with knowing it is dishonest and deceptive but
thinking his hearers will not catch him at it:
Why does he tell his hearers that the State taxes will
be $491 61912 less this year than they in 1887?
D. Why does he not tell them that the different State nst
utons well equipped that in making up their es
asking and will require less appropriations than for many
years before!
Why does he tell his hearers where there has been
any eXavagance and what items he would have cut OFF,
T. Why does he not tell them that the State has grown
in population and wealth. needs have also increased and
that the per cent of taxation has only kept pace with them
s. Why does not Mr. Burt say that of the chief
that State taxation has increased since 1880, because the
system of supporting the insane has been changed from the
counties to the State and that while the State
what higher by of the change, the county taxes
essened by much? Why does he not tell them that the
State has paid since $780, 81 O956 and the counties
have been relieved of the and that has $444 6S
% to support them during the last two years?
8. Why does he not tell them that the expense of taking
prisoners from the counties to the State prison and house of
correction is paid by the State instead of the countless
and that State have already been added by of
the 274S995, and the county lessened by
much?
TO- Why does Mr. Burt tell his hearers that since 1880
three State institutions have been erected and that in the
taxes Of 1887 the following sums were given them!
Michigan Soldiers Home $4,000
State Prison, U. P. 125,712
Michigan Mining School 1880
and other Institutions for which appropriations made
in 1880 amounting in all to S425 92164!
II. Why does not Mr. Burt el the truth and say that
every dollar of State appropriated for specific objects
the legislature except such as is in the appropriation
bill for general purposes and instead of saying that not dol
lar of that fund amounting $90312O7 in 1887 went to
the institutions tell them that $4,000 raised for insane
asyuns and PRISONS $4,000 for defayng expenses of the
legislature paying members etc., and every dollar of which
accounted for? Why does Mr. Burt continue his brazen
fasehoods?
priaon bill for general purposes, he calls pin money! re-
ceved the close attention of the house and senate and
upon passage Democrat fusion vote either house
voted against it?
49, Why does not Mr. Burt compare 1880 with 1885, when
Mr. Begoe Governor and when State taxation increased
more than $67O,OOO in three years!
H. Why does he say that the State taxes this year will
be less than they in 1883 under Begoe and with the
soldiers home and mining school, northern prison. etc. in
cuded in present taxes and that the of taxation has de-
creased during the time from 81 mills the dollar
to l $40 mills.
Either Mr. Burt does intend to tell the truth else he
bndy ignorant of State affairs and playing the role of
demagogue.