Daily Republican., 1890-01-21
Taxation.


The question of taxation Is engaging
the attention Of the people in num-
Der OF the States, aud ii we were to
say all the States we would perhaps
not be lar tfom the correct state of
affairs. But in New York and Penn
sylysnia especially is the question
attracting particular attention, and In
those powerful Sta,es OF the Union
some attempt will soon be made to
make more general equalization OF
taxation than that which has hereto
fore existed. In Delaware the bur,
/ then OF taxation las fallen heavily on
real estate, rs ii was the most easily
got at. but no allowances arc made
as to who owns the real estata. A
farmer may nominallY own farm
worth five thousand dollars, and he
may have only paid one thousand
upon II, but he has TO pay the same
taxes as tie man who owns another
iafm oi the same value clear of all M
cumberances. The owner OF the
moi,gaged farm has not only to pay
the same taxes as the man who owns
his farm clear OF debt, but he has to
pay the interest on the mortgage, be it
either four, five or six per cent.
The man who holds the mortgage
gets oil without being taxed or II by
some stretch OF the law the mortgage
is touched, the farmer IL informed that
he must in addition pay the taxes on
his mortgage, or il will BIZ ioreclosed.
Tuis makes IL extremely hard on the
poor larmer, as he has virtually two
taxes to pay On his farm and his inter-
est besides.
Another system Of taxation in which
much iayGrtisn is shown Is thst in
! vogue In the assessment Of properly al
much less than its real value. This
| system is generally more perceptible in
cities than in rural communities, and it
shows itsel! in taxing small properties
much higher than large properties.
| For instance house that cost Two
thousand dollars IN Its erection may he
assessed the whole value and more
than what II would bring at forced
sale, but q house and out buildipes
with lots which cost fifty thousand
collars ale only taxed about two thirds
thei, value.
This disermlnates against the poor
house owner and In favor Of the rich
Those who elect to indulge in The lux.
ury OF fifty thousand dollar houses
should not complain when asked 10
bear their equal burthen of taxation.
1t is not fair at least 10 ask The moor
man who 70 struggling along under
mortgage OF fifteen hundred dollars on
y two thousand dollar house. and that
house taxed to lis full value, to assist
h wealthy neighbor OF the tiltythous
and dollar house.
| II would seem but reasonable and
1 JUS thai all real estate should be taxed
to Its iull value. Ii a house cost two
thousand dollars, let that be the as.
sesssd value OF it; il fifty thousand, let
that be the rating. The poor man has
quite enon h 70 do TO pay his own
taxes and interest without paying part
OF his rich neighbours taxes.
Inc tendency OF the times in Penn.
sylyania Is 10 heavily tax corporations
and trusts, and we hope that principle
will spread TO Delaware, where there
are number Of corporations aud trusts
that seem 10 get along without much
taApaying incorporated companies
aud trust seem to he the order 81 tie
DAY Ihey sap up other Improvements
and prapefties without paying tucir
prgporiiouate share Of taxes, leaving a
still heavier buithen to lie imposed
upon the small property holders These
ihia g are all calling out Loudly for re
form.