The Dickinson press., 1891-02-14
Shall the Unorganizcd Counties be
Abolishcl2

AOOllSIlCut
1t has come to that time in West.
ern North Dakota when the majority
of voters and Taxpayers demand
some legislation looking to the equit-
able taxation of property. The law
as it now stands, providing for the
assessment and collections of taxes
in the organized and unorganized
counties, does not meet the demand.
All of the large stockmen, the most
remunerative industry of any. are
ranging their herds in unorganized
territory, the managers and owners of
which usually hold a residence and
vote in some organized county adjoin.
ing, to which county they look for
protection in civil and criminal
difficulties, and all the attendant
court expenses, excepting, of course,
justice fees and sheriff charges
incurred outside of such organized
county, are charged and paid directly
out of the county funds. But these
same cattle owners are paying no
taxes to the county, and a large
number of them have never paid any
state tax, claiming that taxation
without representation is %unconstitu.
tional. But one of the most damag-
ing features of this unorganized
country, is the incentive it gives
those within organized counties for
moving out to escape taxes. Many
of the smaller owners of stock have
not got far enough along in the
business so that they IA divide up
and put their cattle out of the county
but as soon rs they do get well started
their stock is pretty sure TO be out of
the county Il sufficient portion of the
year to avoid a county tax. This
makes taxes higher on those who
remain and creates feeling of
dissatisfaction, for those who are the
best able are paying the least taxes
certainly in proportion to what they
have.
True not all are out of organized
counties for the IL purpose alone Of
getting away from taxes, for there
are large areas of fine grazing lands
outside; but what are the county
governments coming to if u large
bulk of the taxable property is kept
outside and how are those located
outside who have children and are in
meager circumstances going to get
schooling! Is it not right for all to
pay taxes. have a vote, and help
sustain the laws! If everybody
comes up and pays equally OH their
valuation, taxes need not be high,
and how is there a more equitable
way of getting at the matter, doing
the greatest good to the greatest
number, than by abolishing all the
un%organized territory in the state and
merging the same into adjoining
organized counties.
Older states have done away with
unorganized territory, deeming it
wise and just, and it is for the present
and coming welfare of this common.
wealth to do something in this direc
tion. One of the great fundamental
principles of IL government is
representation with equal taxation,
and it cannot he had in Western
North Dakota under the present
state of affairs.
If there was any probability that
the unorganiZed counties of this
section would have a sufficient mum
Der of people for organizing within a
few years, it would seem like usurp
ing the rights of the people living in
those unorganized districts to attach
them 20 organized counties; but, on
the contrary, these districts are best
adapted to grazing, consequently they
will he only sparsely settled but will
contain a great amount of wealth.