The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1893-02-07
Paper Read by Barclay White
Before the taxpayers meeting, on Sat
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Mr.. CHAIRMAE:-I am an advocate for good
country roads, unobstructed by toll gates,
constructed under the direction OF competent
engineers, OF proper material, in such manner
as VIII enable two horses TO transport over
them with the same muscular power, twice or
thrice the weight that the same horses are
able to transport over common country
road ana such as can be maintained for an
indefinite period OF time with the least posi-
Bile expenditure for repairs. Such roads, so
constructed and maintained must prove to
tants of the country in which they are built,
II 1t Is possible to make them honestly and
The call for this meeting of taxpayers is to
give expression concerning the construction
roads are not always the best roads under GER
tain circumstances and are sometimes very
poor roads for wheeling. 1 have enjoyed
drives over good Telford stone roads in Penn
sylvania, and also some excellent gravel
roads in New Jersey each were best adapted
for the locality where they had been con-
structed. have travelled oyer stone roads in
the Indian Territory so very rough as to
wreck my ambulance and give me trouble.
pronounced them bad. l have driven over
the improved stone roads on Washington,
Garden and High streets in Mount Holly, N.
j., prior to the township spring election, after
the Overseer had carted away the years aceu-
mutation OF dirt from their surface, and who
ever will then attempt to spin speedy horse
gait over them, will be jolted into the remem-
brance of the tragic tate of the deacon's one
horse chaise. Those stone roads were costly
contract
ferent experts in road making ana supervis-
ed in their construction by the combined
road wisdom of the local authorities they are
failure in proper results.
1t is now proposed under an act OF the Leg
1slature Of this State, approved March 20, 1882,
and prior road acts by the same authority, to
the construction of macadamized, Telford or
other stone roads that Will at all seasons Of
the year be ia sRs, ana he for
upon the presentation to the Board OF Chosen
Freeholders of this county OF petition sign
ed by the owners Of at least two-thirds OF the
lands ana real estate bordering on any road or
section of road in the county, not less than
one mile in length. The proposed improve
ment in county roads can be extended to any
amount of expenditure not exceeding IN one
year one-h half of one percentum of the rata
bles of the county tor the last preceding year,
OF which expense OF road making the State
Treasury is to pay one-third part, not exceed
ing the sum of $4,000 for the entire State in
one year; the County Treasury two-thirds,
owners of adjoining lands to the improved
roads the balance. viz; onetenth of two
thirds of cost, to be divided and assessed up
on them according to the peculiar benefits
on their lands.
II 1 understand those laws and the result of
probable expenditures that can be made for
road building under them, l, land holder
will be compelled to pay a possible State tax
and an increased County tax of one halt OF
one per cent. for the Improvement of roads
that have never seen and which are OF no
more benefit to me, improved or untmproved,
imam L1ey WOulQ De II located IN Africa. Y0db
would not be just or equitable taxation.
The county of Burlington with the exception of
small portion Of its southwestern territory is too
far distant from Philadelphia to enable its farm
ers to profitably transport on road wagons farm
produce to that city. The county has net work
Of railroads and their stations are the points
toward which most farm carriage Of the county Is
attracted, and those railroads principally
under one management. In most cases through
Burlington county telford roads would serve only
as pleasure or business roads for the general pub
lie and feeders to increase the transportation OF
the leased lines of the Penna. h. h. Company.
Those costly county roads to be paid for by them
would not enable the majority Of its farmers to
carry their produce to the city consumer in man
ner more profitable to them than at present They
would still be at the mercy OF the railroad and
the middle man.
If good roads can be properly constructed In
this county, underjust and equitable laws regu
ating that portion of their cost which may be
necessary to Be raised by direct taxation in such
manner that all classes of the population benefited
shall be compelled to bear share of the expense
Incurred in proportion TO their income or ability
to pay, 1 should not object to the proposed i'm
pr0yement If done upon plan approved Of by
those taxed, in which plan the trunk roads, or
main avenues of the cultivated portion of the
county shall be first constructed, with lateral
roads afterwards as experience and funds applica-
BILE may determine. But II stone, or other i'm
proved roads are proposed to be constructed in
towns villages town sites or isolated places under
existing laws for special benefit to interested par
ties, the cost of which will increase our county
taxes TO be assessed upon real estate and collected
in the present oppressive manner, am decidedly
and firmly opposed to any such increase Of taxa
ton.
be adjusted upon an equitable basis founded upon
the ability of our citizens to pay them, before any
increase Is added to them. That basis should be in
come.
In 1891, citizen cultvating a farm in Spring
field township, this county, the rental Of which is
$1,000 per annum, was compelled to pay for county
and township land tax thereon S2i2 100, tax of
more than twenty-four per cent upon his income
In 1872 the tax upon the same farm was SILL 100
than twenty per cent. Of the income received.
The decrease In The latter year was in county tax,
probably caused by taxpayers meeting in this
house. That farm Ia assessed for taxation thirty
per cent. shove its present market value, and the
township authorities have refused to make any
abatement of the assessment. 1t Is now proposed
to add a possible road tax Of 0ne-half Of one per
cent. to the above burthen, making county and
township tax of nearly thirty per cent upon
the income derived from my farm with no addi-
ton of benefits received.
Why should a farmer be taxed on his income
more than an office holder, e lawyer, doctor,
other citizen2 They may have an income OF $lO,-
900 per year from their profession or trade and I'M
der existing laws be taxed less than farmer who
derives an income of $1,000 per annum from his.
The farmer pays greater tax upon his business
than the tavern keeper or saioonist, whom the
Judges of our Court in their wisdom, license to do
business whose result is to fill our jais with Grim
inals and armed tramps, our County poor house
with paupers, and creates the greater portion OF
the weighty burthen of the Court expenses OF the
county.
There probably has never been a time since the
settlement of New Jersey, not even during the re-
cent war, when the farmers of Burlington county
have been more oppfessively taxed than in the
years Of 1891 and 1892 It is tax burthen, greater
than our fathers bore when they took up arms
against the Government OF King George the 3rd.
To now increase their tax in the proposed manner,
for the general benefit OF the community, should,
ought to, and must result in New Jersey Farm
ers Alliance for political recognition Of rights and
legal preservation Of property.