The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-03-23
Very Wild Organ.


phenomenal tax article by an able aban-
Comment of the subject and hasty re-
trenchment in Its old position. This is
discreet, but the manner OF it is hardly
creditable TO a metropolitan newspaper.
Laying aside the personal features, in
which it may be fairly assumed the pub
lie has no absorbing interest. we implore
our contemporary either to correct its
phraseology or endeavor to inform itself
ss TO the facts involved in this subject of
taxation. In the interest OF public edu-
cation, In behalf of an economic science
struggling for recognition in our system
OF government, in the fond hope that In
diana has developed civilization which
will tolerate an expression OF the truth
even in republican newspaper, we ten
der our contemporary our accumulated
wealth of information on the following
points
l. The Journal states that under the new
law "the taxation on farm lands has been
increased 44l per cent" What it proba-
bly, means to saw, or at least what is true,
is that the assessment of real estate has
been increased Az per cent. Real estate
and farm lands are not one and the same
thing; neither are assessment and taxa
ton. No one knows TO what extent the
taxation of either farm lands or real estate
has been increased in absolute amount,
but IL is certain that real estate, exclusive
OF railroad property. bears nearly per
cent. less OF the total burden of taxation
than it did in $50 for in 1891 it forms 63.S
per cent Of the total valuation, end in 1870
it formed GU per cent.
2. The Journal saws il "ventured TO eug-
gest that the theories of Prof Ross are en-
titled to consideration" 1t did much
more. il stated that Prof. Ross criticised
"the present system OF taxation in several
states, and particularly IN Indiana" IL
also said prof Ross lecture portrayed
tho increasing inequality OF tho present
system of taxing property in sight and
letting unseen but most remunerative
property escape. Tho present tax law OF
Indiana is one OF the most pcrnicious
OF the old systems" As mat
ter OF fact, in tho synopsis OF
Prof Ross lecture, which was
given in tho Journal OF sunday last, In.
diana IL not mentioned nj ALL and we will
venture the assertion that he did not and
will not say that the present system IN
Indiana was ''one Of tho most pernicious,"
or that IT is practically bad, for tho reason
that he knows too much about taxation 10
make any such absurd statement. on the
contrary, he cited several instances in
other states that are much worse than any
thing the Journal has ever said about the
Indiana system. The principal class OF
property that has escaped taxation is
money on deposits in banks, and whether
or not the new law in Indiana will reach
that depends on tho decision OF the SUI
preme court IA to the validity OF the laws
provisions in that behalf.
8. The Journal said on Monday: "In
addition 10 the present topic OF taxation
Prof. Ross names as subjects Of assess
ment natural monopolies, corporations
incomes and inheritances." We are very
confident that Prof. Ross never said
anything about assessing any topics
OF taxation, and he certainly did
not propose assessing anything "in
addition" to what is now as
sessed. He did propose certain substi-
tutes for the general tax on personal
property, but that is proposal to restrict
taxation, not to enlarge It's scope.
4. The Journal speaks of "the George
theory OF n single land tax, which THE
SENTINEL once advocated" TnE SENTINEL
never, at any time. advocated Mr..
GEoRGE's theory of single tax on land
values, and il challenges the Journal 10
prove it's statement by quotation from its
columns. II did condemn the general per-
sonalty tax, as administered, as a failure,
system would have 10 be adopted. Prof.
Ross does the same thing.
5. The Journal says: THE point which
the Journal attempted TO make was that
there could be no reason why the people
ofthis state cannot be largely relieved OF
taxation upon real estate. as they
are in other states. Reference
was made 10 Pennsylvania, whore
no tax is i'm posed upon lands for strictly
state revenues. IL might have been added
that several states impose very little tax
upon real estate for state purposes. among
which is Wisconsin. which can scarcely
have wider range OF resources than has
Indiana Precisely. And the Journal
know that the point II was attempting to
make was not true. because THE SENTINEL
had called it's attention TO that fact several
months ago. The Pennsylvania tax com
mission OF 1889 found that real estate paid
98.5 per cent OF all local taxes. which was
equivalent TO SO per cent. OF all taxes col.
locted for state and local purposes. II
found that the total taxes paid by all
corporations, money and merchandise
would constitute about 10 per contum OF
all taxes levied on property" whiIo In In
diana, under the new law. railroads alono
pay 1919 per cent. OF all taxes. IL found
that railroads we're paying only one-hfth