Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-08-20

little more discretion than 1t has now. IL
should not seek to raise the assessments
to the full cash value, but provide as Tar
as it can for having them made on the
one third basis, which was in vogue
when the constitution was adopted eno
its limitations on taxation and indebted
ness we're agreed on.
Why not aesess at full cash value?'
Why should there be an attempt to as
sess "on the one-third basis?" Ii the
Tribune will take the trouble to lnvesti-
state the conclusions Of those who have
sudied the subject of taxation in recent
years il will find that they are unanimous
in the opinion that there is no justice or
fairness in any system Of assessment ex-
cept at full cash value. Any other sYs-
tenn invariably favors corporations AID
wealthy individuals. In fact the recent
revenue commission of Illinois added its
testimony to this effect to all those that
preceded it. It is easier to assess at full
cash value than at any percentage of full
cash value, and it necessitates no in
crease of taxation. The only question is
whether you will have small valuation
with large rate, or large valuation
with a small rate OF course, taxes will
be increased if rates are not reduced. as
is shown in the local taxes levied by re-
publican officials in this state. but that
was done intentionally and for political
purposes, and has nothing TO do with
the conditions of proper administration
of a tax law.
The Tribune is clearly right as to the
importance of giving the state board
greater power. but il is equally wrong in
proposing TO limit its changes to 20 or ~
per cent Of the original assessment. That
would be merely change of evils. lndi-
ana suffered from precisely the same evils
as Illinois. and determined to be freed
from them She therefore adopted full
cash valuation and gave her state board
absolute power, with no Limitation or re-
striction except the official oaths of the
members and the force Of public opinion.
The result was all that could be asked.
We have now the fairest equalization ever
made in the state and for the first time
in the history of any state in the union
corporations have been brought up
sqnsrely to the level of other taxpayers.
While property in general advanced only
46 per cent in assessed value, railroad
property advanced 100 per cent, and
other corporations proportionately. The
average rate of taxation in this state has
decreased from 81 10 on 800 to 81. 40.
and would have decreased to 81 81 but
for the unnecessary increase of local
taxes by republican officials for the pur-
pose of casting odium on the tax law.
Naturally the corporations have re-
sisted this Law in every way they could,
and the newspapers commonly
in the employ of the corpor-
atoms in their contests with the people
have done what they could to bring
the law in.o disrepute. But all in
vain The law is triumphant everywhere.
The people understand its advantages
and could not be induced to go back to
the old system still in use in Illinois.
The corporations have been beaten in
the courts. and are now making last
desperate effort to escape justice by
browbesting and Safeguarding the state
board of e9usliz ,,ion. They will not
succeed. We think that the present
board is composed of men who have re-
gard for their official oaths. and will
keep the corporations on level with
other taxpayers.