Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-04-09
Advanced Theories of Taxation.


A Joint committee of the two houses OF
the New York Legislature made recently
report TO that body on the proposition 70
establish simpler system of taxation than
the one which now obtains in that state.
Questions Of taxation are dangerous edged
tools. and demagogues fear TO handle
them. But there are. in every community
large number of men who, seeing tho
richt. will approve it too" and seeing
the wrong, will mol the wrong pursue.
The advanced theory of taxation proposed
bv HENRY GEORGE has many thousands OF
advocates amongst intelligent people,
especially amongst those who hold tha5
taxes will adjust themselves better than
they can be adjusted by law, or, IN other
words hold that even II the government
taxed nothing but real estate the owners
of personal property would, under the
operation of natural laws be compelled 10
pay their lust proportion OF SAID taxes.
The report above mentioned was unani-
mously made, and derives additional
claims 10 consideration from that fact as
well as from the fact that it emanates from
experts. Naturally. New York state might
be expected to be ahead of the other
States in regard TO the comparative merl:s
Of proposed systems of taxation. Inc
New York Commercial and Financial Chronl-
Gle saws as TO the report:
"The features Of the report which VIII attract
most attention are: a. the discussion OF the ques-
ton Of local option 10 tax matters-that is' al
loving each county 10 choose its own inetho1 oil
Lowing taxes. 30 that tho levy may DO made on
real estate alone or on real and personal pro-
porty combined. es may be thought expedieh'
or best. on tho proposition 20 levy small tax
u,on real estate mortgages for state purposes
and exompting such mortgages from all other
tayes. local or otherwise; and 81 the further
suggestion that the method Of providing the
states revenues should be adjusted and ar
ranged with tho view Of tho ultimate abolition OF
the general property-tax for state purposes"
The committee submitted with its re-
port number of bills, thus giving the
Legislature the option of passing one bill
or proposition and rejecting another. The
committee does notrecommend the propo-
sition to EXEMPT personal property from
taxation, but saws that II has been
much impressed by the arguments adj
yanccd in favor OF 1t. We quote its Ian
Guago;
ave confess considerable change Of heart
from tho opinions at first entertained by US
when We say that the proposition TO relieve per-
sonal property from taxation presents pro
blem which We are well satisfied is worthy Of
careful study, but 10 which we DO not feel fully
warranted In giving our present assent further
than in the direction recommended"
1--WE are persuaded that che exemption OF
personal property would result In important
benefits 70 the mercantile and financial com
munity, and that the real estate owner would
receive not the least Of these benefits"
The committee manifests good sense IN
thus calling tho attention of the taxpayers
of New York to these neutrality-suspicious.,
as well az IN it's determination not to re-
commend them for adoption. If these
schemes are without merit they will soon
perish. A" campaign of education will
dislodge them from the minds OF the peo-
ple everywhere and leave the way open TO
the discovery and adoption Of newer and
better methods of taxation. HENRY
GEoAGE's proposed system has no merits
which we have ever been able to see. The
New York theories may turn out 20 be no
better. One thing is certain. and thus Is
that the existing methods Of taxation need
TO DO reformed altogether"