Connecticut western news., 1890-01-15
UNJUST TAXATION.
Massachusetts Farmers Protest Strongly
 Against It.
Farms Bear Taxation That Should Be Put
 Upon Personal Property.

The farmers meeting at the Ploughman Hall, Boston, Jan. II, was we'll attended, notwithstanding the unfavorable weather. MT: Benj. P. Ware of NIarblehead presided, and in calling the meeting to order said that the general topic for consideration was "Un- just Taxation.'' He then read the following preamble and resolution:
 Whereas, There exists among farmers general feeling of discontent. by reason of an unjust system of taxation. Dy which their for the support of public necessities.
 1st-Their property is exposed to view and assessed for it's full value, regardless of any mortgages that may cucumber their property, while fully three-fourths of the personal pro perty of the State escapes taxation, thereby unjustly increasing the tax upon real estate.
 2d-Falm property is unjustly taxed to support town or city improvements, from which f,rmers receive little or no benefit
 3d-Farm lands are frequently taxed on it's possible value for building purposes when used for such prospective purposes, a value usually about that warranted by any income that can be derived from such farm lands. thus slowly but surely robbing the farmer of his earnings, while the just basis of such valuations should be actual sales, which would prove the demand at an increased valuation.
 4th-It is believed that a Board of Tax Commissioners, composed in part of farmers,
  who should constitute the Board of Appeal from all cases of apparently unjust and un- equal taxation (tO be in accordance with the Constitution of Massachusetts, by the Board of Assessors of any town or city, and whose decision should be final, would render more independent and just judgment than is now done by the County Commissioners un- der the present law, whose tenure of office depends upon popular votes: therefore,
 Resolved, That we citizens and taxpayers a11, . %lr4 Legislature to enact such laws as shall reme- dy the injustice incurred under the present system of taxation.
 The discussion of the question was general and vigorous. O. E. Hadwen of Worcester, read paper in which he pointed out the in- equalities of the prest mt system. the over- assessment of farm property and the general crippling of the agricultural interests by the taxing power of the State. l. c. Wyman of Salem, said he had travelled through New England great deal during the past two years, and had found everywhere abandoned farms. When he asked what was the cause of this abandonment of these farms the universal cry was that it was over-taxation. They were taxed for the benefit of other in- dustries. A. P. Tapley of Revere, said that 40 years from $500 to $2,2O0, and for years he had been trying to sell part of his land and could not. Samuel Hawks of Saugus, said the real cause of the depression of farm ing in New England and Massachusetts chief underlying cause-WaS the OVerprOduc- tion of farming produce in other parts of the country, which was thrown upon our mar kets
 Benjamin P. Ware of Marblehead said: It is a fact that know, from the highest au- thority in the State, that not more than 20 per cent. of the personal property of Massa- chusetts is taxed. You will see at once that those whose farms and cattle lie outdoors and are open to the view of the Assessors when they come along have to stand the brunt of it. Within year they have passed thorough search orpersonal property, and the personal property taxed has been in- creased three-quarters under that law. Why shouldn't a similar law be enacted in Massa- chusetts? What are we going to do about it :? propose that this Legislature be flooded with petitions from all over the State, show ing the need and necessity for change.
 In Marblehead, when the Assessors and Tax Collector get through with us farmers there is absolutely nothing left of us. The tax on many of our farms is absolutely more than they would rent for; so that when we go up and pay our taxes we really go up and pay our rent to the town of Marblehead. There are farm lands in Marblehead taxed for $120O or $500 that will not be wanted for any other than agricultural purposes for 50 years to come. Now when they encroach upon the principal and go beyond the in- come it is robbery. Nathan Edson of Barns table. House Chairman of the Legislative Committee on Taxation, said that the farmers of Massachusetts had borne the tax ation that should have been put upon per sonal property.