The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1891-10-29
TAxAtIoN AMENDMENr.
written for the DEMooRAT.l

WAvNEsBURa, y Oct. 20, 81.
In response to a request, asking us
to give our views "in a we'll considered
article" on the above subject. We will
not here waste time and space by giving
the wording of said amendment. nor
the wording of the section, (Sec 2 Art.
KILL which this amendment will dis
place, IL adopted. The important
feature of this amendment is this: 1t
empowers our Legislature to tax rights,
privileges and franchises and such
other subject matter as the Legislature
may direct. This will chiefly apply to
Telephone Cos, Street Railway Cos,
Electric Light Co.'S, &c, g., in short
Corporate Capital. These corporations
now pay tax only on a small portion of
their real money value; only on their
visible property, while their charter
ed rights, privileges, franchises 81, a.
mountingto millions, ,escal 9 taxat en-
tirely, while the farmers and home own
ers who rep esent perhaps one-fourth
of the wealth of this state pay about
three. .fourths of its taxes, This measure
would bring certain relief. 1t would
also obviate the necessity Of double
taxation so much complained OF, and
so Justly denounced, viz: Whom a per
son buys home and pays for it in part
only, giving mortgage on property to
secure balance, he must pay tax on the
value of the whole property, (because
he is too poor to pay for it al, and the
man who holds the claim against him
must tax that claim, the poor debtor
must pay tax on his debts, In order
that corporate capital may escape taxa
tion. This is certainly a rank injustice
But under existing conditions, indeot.
edness cannot be exempted, without
either increasing the tax rate on other
property or reducing the tax IN the ag-
gregate. Under the proposed amend
ment these obstacles would disappear.
In the State of Pennsylvania, by the
adoption of AN amendment similar to
that now pending here, enough proper
exempt all ordinary property from tax
alton for State purposes. Again the
provision for certain exemptions, in the
proposed amendment, is ample author
ity to correct the great wrong of double
taxation above referred TO, an ac-
knowledged wrong; a wrong that has
sent thousands of our fellow citizensto
financial ruin.
From reliable source we may add an
o her strong example. Wisconsin has
constitution which permits its Legis-
lature to tax franchises, privileges, cor.
poratiOhs, incomes, etc. The result is
that all taxes on property for State
purposes, are entirely wiped out, ex-
cept one mill for educational purposes
1t paid the State debt, and up to two
years ago, had put surplus of three
million dollars into the State treasury.
1t built soldiers homes and supported
them; normal schools and supports,
them; gives the Farmers institute $l2,-
600 a year and the dairy Mems Associ-
alton $1,000, and defends the oleomar-
garine law with $4,000 year. All
this from the sources which the subject
of this article would permit our law
makers to "tap."
Is it any wonder that Eve should be
deeply concerne as to the fate of this
amendment" Is it any wonder that
all taxpayers, farmers, mechanics, mer-
chants, doctors, lawyers, editors and
citizens generally, all save stockholders
in corporate wealth, should "be deeply
cOncerned?" Is it not rather wonder
that the press has shown so little CON
cern?" 1t is certainly matter worthy
of consideration at least, that the poor
man is doubly taxed because he is poor,
while wealthy corporations to a great
extent escape, simply because they are
wealthy. We repeat, 1t is not a political
measure, but one of equity, right, and
even-handed justice, and we wish to
urge every voter to vote for said amend
ment, this XI Taxation Amendment,
Y es, bearing in mind that TO not vote
on it at all, is voting against it, because
it requires maj ority of the votes cast
to carry an amendment. If this amend.
meut were adopted it would obviate all
necessity ofa constitutional conven-
tion" which would cost the state some
100000 and perhaps be repudiated by
the people, as was the job of our last
constitutional convention.
Mobilization Amendment-Yes es
Constitutional COnventiOn-No.
u. S. SCHORY,