Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1891-03-27
TAXATION.
WHAT IT Is; AND ITS WRONGS.


Taxes are enforced contributions of
persons and property, levied by state
authority for the support of the gov
ernment and public needs.
Taxes are public revenues; and what
each person contributes of his property
in order to secure and enjoy the re-
mainder.
The justification of the levy of taxes
lies i'll the reciprocal duties of gov
ernment in the protection of persons
and property in behalf of its support.
In the exercise of the power of tax
alton the purpose always is that the
burden shall be sustained by contribu-
tions regulated by some fixed rule,
operating justly and impartially.
With the exception of corruptions,
whose favoritism will be discussed in
the next issue, the valuation of prop
erty, i'll this state, is made the basis of
taxation.
The peculiar distribution of the
agencies of government i'll this state,
viz, counties, townships, villages,
highway districts, school districts, etc.,
brings both the nature and amount of
demand home to the examination of
citizens and, in that, is all right.
As to making the burdens of state
and county tax fair, uniform and just
between the several counties for state
purposes, and several towns and wards
i'll each county for county revenues,
there Is but one general rule that can
be applied: that is, to secure fairness
in assessment of property i'll every
township and ward in the state. But
this unfortunately has not and is not
lo, tl,.a, ,l,ar -
the people, which is the larger, is COM
PEELED to suffer in consequence.
With the present and past tendencies
of combines and trusts, the known
multiplication of corporations, and the
temptations presented to men generally
to do wrong, the doors are wide open.
They are letting in a flood of favorit-
ism to the wealthy. The assessing
officers are primarily to blame. Our
present laws are sufficient, if they were
not ignored in the administration of
Office. The history of assessment in
this county, with its hideous discrim-
nations stands without parallel in any
state in the American union. The
facts are SO stubborn aS evidence that
no amount of subterfuge can cover il
up. The proofs are self-evident, and
are so plain if looked for, that convic-
ton must be the result. The combine
of Port Huron and some rural super
visors in making their wholesale dis
elimination against the townships,
must warn the people, if any thing
can, of the dangers of their oppressors.
And if they will not take warming,
they must still continue to be robbed
of their substance.
Look at the facts. Port Huron is
valued at Sl67 900 more than it assess
ed itself ten years ago. Look at the
second Ward, lowered by the ring,
$4,000, below its assessment ten years
ago. Look at the Third Ward, low
cred S44 900 below its assessment ten
years ago. Look at the growth of the
city, as Il great railroad centre, and the
substantial growth 1t now has, increas-
ing its value at least 10 millions above
what it assessed itself. Look at the
cities of Fort Gratiot and st. Clair, low
cred also by the ring. On the other
hand, look at the rural towns, except
those bordering upon the cities, and
you will find that farm property and
property in general in rural villages
has deprecated in value more than
one-third within the last ten years.
Look further, and you will find every
acre and lot in the towns and rural
villages assessed by this ring at nearly
double what can be got for it in cash.
Look still further, and you will see
another ear-mark of the plotters.
They were not satisfied at the request
of their city masters and fellow oper-
tors at taxing the towns and villages
for more than their worth, with re-
ducing the cities nearly one-half mil
lion but to cast Il still greater burden
upon the poorer taxpayers without the
assessment of the rural towns 81 ,300,- |
900, the township of Brockway having !
to stand its share at Sl24,OO0.
1t is this great wrong that must and |
shall be reformed. Men sent from |
the rural towns must be such as will |
represent truly the interests and rights |
of their constituents. And if the peo- |
pie will still slumber and follow the |
"Will o. the Wisp" of schcming po-
litical demagogues, then the infamous |
crime OF cOntiscatiOn will be main |
tanned.
1t seems the time is at hand when /
the people who are suffering from the I
wrong above referred TO, many of |
whom had to take from the substantial /
comforts of life or at least narrow
them, may take the means to requite |
this infamous wrong. 1t is a danger |
Gus expedient to varnish over the work
of wrong-dOers. IL is a leaven that cor /
rupts the whole lump. Come out I
fearlessly for reform. You know the
facts. Stand firm; and satisfy Justice. |
BE fearless both in action and discus
sion and you will sever in good time
A. ~ .