Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1893-03-10
Heavy Burdens.

Mr. Editor While awaiting the result
of the proceedings of Gov. Browns Tax
! Convention, the question naturally arises :
What will this convention do toward sOlv-
ing that most difficult of all problems, the
tax question:" With all respect for the
good Intentions OF our Governor, and the
discernment of the delegates in attendance
at the convention, it is yet very doubtful in
the mind of your correspondent whether
those well.meaning delegates will have got
ten any nearer TO the bottom of the subject
when they return TO their homes than they
were when they lett them.
There is point in the subject which |
would refer to-more for instruction than
TO instruct Gov. Brown and others have
referred TO the fifteenth article of the Bill
of Rights as being in the way of any rad
ical legislation on the subject. do not un
derstand how this can be.
| will quote a clause of the article in
question EVERY person in the State OF
person holding property therein, ought to
contribute his proportion OF public taxes
for the support of the government, Accord
ing to his worth in real or personal prop
erty."
Now, although this is stated in the usual
loose legislative way, there Ia nothing in 1t
to debar the console ntious legislator from
doing equal and exact justice TO all men
conscious though he may be that "PubliC
office is public trust" Indeed If our next
Legislature acts on the line Of that artic le-
or that clause OF il, rather-it should re-
ceive the commentator Of every just and
fair tax payer in the State.
We have too much respect for the judg.
ment Of Gov. Brown, as shown in the adj
ministration OF our State government 10 be-
lieve that he is 80 densely ignorant as not
to know what vast majority of the tax
payers of the State want in the way of legis
lation Nor do we believe that any legisa-
tor, worthy OF the name, would be so stu
pdly blind as not TO be satisfied on the same
point N, Mr. Editor, II Is not that our
legislators do not know what is right, but
it is because they have not decision and
nerve enough 10 act against the wishes Of
the political managers, who are almost in
variably controlled by the corporations and
wealth Of the country.
But legislation in the way of tax ltiOn
! should not be of that milk and water kind
that every one regards "a a legislative joke
but the penalties imposed for their lnirdc-
ton should be 80 heavy as 10 deter the bold
est and most constituencies from setting
them aside
| From time immemorial the farmer has
borne the burden OF taxation, and 1t looks
as if there were no hope Of having his bur
! dens lightened in the near future, as he has
I neither the influence nor the means to shape
! legislation. To him taxation is bu rden-
sOme for the reason that he knows tina toe
much Of the load rests upon his shout ders
Let every one contribute his share TO the
support Of the county and State, even If II
be but the widows mite, and all will be
more contente1 and happy. Every adult
who can raise dollar should contribute
that much toward the education Of the rising
generation, and every one would take more
pride 10 his manhood If he should be allowed
to contribute his mite toward so just and
glorious a purpose.
1t is TO be hoped that Gov. Brown and his
advisers will see the evil 10 our present law
and not flee from it, but devise some means
OF relief, but that the next Legislature will
act ia accordance with his or their advice is
quite another thing-we will have TO wait
full year 10 decide that point But one
thing ought 10 be clear 10 every mind, and
that is, that If no property is 10 be placed
on the tax list but that which Is there now,
the great expense Of new assessment
should not be Imposed.
Comus, Md. Y.