The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1888-10-31
The Truth Of the Matter.
What Mr.. Burt Knows But
Don't Choose to Tell.
Why State Taxes We're Higher
in 1887 Than in 1850.
State Institutions Which the
Democrats Didn't Is
tabliSh.
How the Republicans Have
Applied State Revenues.

goes about reiterating flaming fasehoods
and bosely representing facts is un-
worthy the confidence Of an intelligent
people.
Wers not Mr.. Burt candidate for the
Highest Office within the gift Of tho state
and one where intelligence, honor and
htegrtsy are expected, his ignorance or
wilful deception, as the case may be,
might be overlooked.
But the citizens of Michigan are not go
ing 10 be blinded by the glamour Of his
gold o. the deceit he is practicing.
These are some Of the statements he Is
making, and though he has again and
again been told of his errors, he continues
his Wild career OF Misrepresentation
he tells his hearers that state taxes have
increased ~ follows:
(ee1 ...--.--- ....''s..'.~s....''..S 64,Si ~
He then tells his hearers how they have
Increased l42 per cent In seven years, and
that this great increase Is used largely for
pin money. That out of S9l0,3l2.07 in
cluded In he appropriation bill for general
purposes passed by the last legislature
not . dollar OF it went TO the state institu-
uons, eto.
With these statements and figures he
rings the changes without explanation,
the most Of which are absolutely false In
fact and the others are distorted TO serve
his base purpose.
II Mr. Burt desires to be honest and
90 impress his hearers with the candor
they have right TO demand OF him why
does he not also tell them tho following
tguthsi
/. That he has selected 1880 for the
reason that taxes were lower then than in
any year since 1875, and that he selected
Is67 because In that year they were the
highest.
z. That taxes are always much higher
IN the odd years than in the even ones, be-
cause OF the expenses OF the legislature,
and the appropriations made and largely
assessed and paid in the first taxes after
the legislature Closes
B Why does he not tell them that he
compares al odd year with an even one,
knowing 1t Is dishonest and deceptive, but
thinking bis hearers will not catch him at
81
4. WHY does he not tell his hearers that
the state taxes will be S49l ,6l9. u less this
year than rhey were in 1882
o. Why does he not tell them that the
different state institutions are now SO well
equipped that In making up their esti-
mates for the next two years, as required
by law, they are asking and will require
less appropriations than for many years
beforei
O. Why does he not tell his hearers
where there has been any extravaganza,
and what items be would have cut Off
T. Why does he not tell them that, 90
the state has grown in population and
wealth, lie needs have also increased, and
that tie Fer cent of taxation has only kept
pace with themf
g. Why does not Mr. Burt say that ono
of the chief reasons that state taxation has
increased since 1850 Is because the system
OF supporting the insane has been changed
from the counties to the state, and that
while the state taxes are somewhat higher
by reason Of the change the county taxes
are lessened by so muchi Why does not
he tell them that the state has so paid since
1880 s.. 1926, 500 SO, and the counties have
been relieved Of the same, and that 1t has
cost S+43, 5S25 to support them during
g. Why does he not tel them that the
expense OF taking prisoners from the
counties to the state prison and house Of
correction 10 now paid by the state In
stead Of the counties, and that 10 state
taxes have already been added by reason
OF the same $2l7, 1895, and the county
taxes lessened by so muchf
10. Why does not Mr.. Burt tell his hear
ers that since 1880 three new state institu-
tions have been erected and that In the
taxes Of 1887 the following sums were
given thenI
Michigan Soldiers Homo. ....-...-..slle.aoo
Michigan Mining school. 1880
and other institutions for which no appro-
priRtIons were made in 1850 amounting In
IL TO s4E5, 921.642
IL. Why does not Mr.. Burt 'tell the
truth" and say that every dollar of state
taIes are appropriated for specific objects
by the legislature, except such as Is given
IN the appropriation bill for general pur-
poses, aud instead Of saying that not q
dollar OF that fund amounting to $780,
512.07 In 1877 went to the institutions,
tell them that $4,000 was raised for
insane Asylums and prisons sl30, 900 for
defraying expenses OF the legislature,
paying members, ETC., 500, 900 salaries Of
state officers and clerks, ETC., and every
dollar Of which Is accounted for? Why
does Mr. Burt continue his brazen false
hoodst
- Why does not Mr.. Burt tell his
hearers that the appropriation bill for
general purposes, he calls pin
money received the close attention
Of the house and senate, and upon it's pas
sage not Democratic or fusion vote In
either house was cast against itp
lS. Why does not Mr.. Burt compare
1880 with 1888, when Mr.. Begole was gov
ernor, and when state taxation increased
more than six hundred and seventy thou
sand dollars In three years.
IA. Why does he not say that the state
ares this year will be less than they were
IN 1888 under Begole, and with the Sol
tdiers' Home and Mining School, Northern
Prison, etc, included in present taxes.
and that the rate of taxation has decreased
during the same time from l 9-10 mills on
the dollar 10 5-l0 mills.
kither Mr. Burt does not intend TO tell
the truth, or else he is blindly ignorant OF
state Affairs and is playing the role OF
demsgogue.
Here are few other things he might
talk about In his canvass and which his
audience might be glad TO know:
1. Tell them that under Democratic rule
up 70 1850, the average state taxation wa.
1910 mills on the dollar, with nothing tC
shov for IL, aud that the average of tar
alton under Republican rule has been 6-l(
mills on the dollar with all of, our public
Institutions TO show for II. Tell them thai
the Democratic party left the state with
two nirnsy state institutions, an old wood
en- capitol building and a debt Of g., 500,
600, thai under Republican control II ha,
given Ne state free from debt, q magnif
The STATE taxes from and including 1877 70
End lsolndins 1865, have been as follows:
SIl ...........,............. Sl.07l .02l 3
~ - ...---.-........ ..-.......... bfy,Bl
bot 30. 80 ss-.......s............... l,loj,Usb y
~ -~-..s.--.............Lo Lowest oOf,s3l "
is.. '.s-.--........ ............... i,ltS.lH >