The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1894-01-13
How Relief May be Obtained.

The people of Maryland, particularly the
believe that a new assessment is essential
to relieve financial depression. The matter
has been 80 often promised, that another fail
ure to provide an assessment law will be
great disappointment.
1t is well for the people, however, to re-
member that federal taxation is much
heavier than state and county. and that the
protective system dwarls commerce and
restricts the markets for the products of
American farms.
And it is well for them to further re-
member that unless new subjects for tax
alton are listed no relief can come, but on
the contrary increased burdens, To pay the
expenses of a new assessment, I only the
same property is to lie assessed for pur-
poses of taxation as are now on the books,
the result will be an expenditure Of from
$4,000 to $4,000 in each county and the
outcome be the aseertainment that the sum
total of assessments is about the same as at
present. Ii may be true that some prop
erly is assessed too high and some too low,
but in these times of depression few will
cheerfully consent to an increase Of assess
ment. And the inequalities are tOo in
significant to warrant an expenditure Of
some $780, 00 by the counties to correct
them. Most people who are clamoring for
a new assessment are looking forward to a
reduction of assessment, but they lose sight
of the fact that IL certain amount Of money
is necessary to conduct the state and coun-
ty governments, and if the basis is reduced
the tax rate must be increased Relief
can only come by law requiring every
person to contribute to the support of gov
ernment according 70 his actual worth in
real and personal property, as the Consti-
tuition provides, and by reducing expendi-
lures to the lowest point consistent with
efficient government
The machinery Of an assessment bill
should be as inexpensive as possible, and to
that end the listing system should be made
to include real as well as personal property,
and every man be his oWp assessor, with
severe penalties for false valuations and
omissions
There should be no exemptions, except
of state. county aud municipal buildings,
cemeteries not conducted for profit, wearing
apparel, provisions and fuel, and church
buildings The land upon which churches
stand and all other improvements ought to
be taxed. There should be no other ex-
emptions, for the principle of exemptions
once admitted the end is difficult to fore
see.
The Hayes bill, about which the people
have heard So much and know so little,
provides for the expensive system of assess
ment we had in 1876, which cost this
county about $4,000, and also provides for
the exemption of churches, parsonages, the
working tools of mechanics, mot the farm
er's plows and harrows, &c, the buildings,
equipment and furniture of hospitals, asy-
lums, charitable and benevolent institu-
lions, aud land belonging to them to the
extent of forty acres, Incorporated edu-
eational aud literary institutions, mort
cages, &c, &c.
Not only are educational institutions and
hospitals and asylums exempted, but many
of them receive state aid in addition. The
ground upon which the asyluIns and hospi-
tails are given state aid is, that they take
care of patients cheaper than state insitu-
lions and the attention is heart service
rather than legal requirement. This
may be time but every one of these insti-
tutions is seclarian, and the building upof
the sects to which they belong is a part OF
the object of their establishment, and they
should receive no aid from the state. Nil
lions Of dollars are invested in them, and
many thousands in educational institutions,
which are conducted for profit just as any
other business is prosecuted.
If the people expect relief from new
assessment bill, they should protest against
exemptions, and demand that the taxes
levied shall be applied strictly to the sup
post of government. Every exemption
means a heavier burden upon the people.
And every appropriation not for the sup
port of government is q protection to some
business enterprise or a gift to some sec
tartan institution at the expense Of other
religious bodies that have none, and are
probably too poor to organize any.
Now is the time for action. The Leg
stature is in session. and an assessment bill
is to be passed. Let your wishes be known
10 your representatives upon the matter OF
assessment and expenditure Of the public
money. The representatives want to carry
out the wishes of their constituents, and if
the constituents do not let their wishes be
known they will have only themselves to
censure il matters do not turn out as they
desire.
An Income Tax.
A Republican Administration imposed