Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1894-06-01
The Taxpayers' Movement.

ne meeting IN COiUmtii ha.l, last
Saturday, demonstrated that the tax
payer j. decidedly in earnest regarding
his rights, and knowing dare maintain
them. The attendance was quite
large, anil represented all parts OF the
county. ai,i the unanimity OF senti-
mcnt was remarkable.
The objects to be sought by the
state TaXpaycr-' Convention j. TO
give expression torornlar continent on
the subject oi excessive taxation, and
to formulate some plan for concert OF
action al thc polls and the election Of
men who have range OF vision that
can discern the handwriting on the
wall and provide adequate means Of
relief.
Hitherto the impression has seemed
to prevail and has been carefully in
culcated hy the otlice-holding class
that to arrive al Il roper mode OF as
c>-m,nt or IL lair ratio OF taxation,
was to ascertain how much money
was needed to dcfray al, public en-
pCnses, hich amount was con siderably
increased by anticipated delinquency
in payment, Whereby those who pay
pay more than their share. 1t was
urged that the assessment should be
at large figures to make good show
ing abroad, and justify a basis OF
credit, in many instances debt be-
ing already incurred. Here were pre-
scented two OF the elements wherefrom
much OF our past trouble has resulted.
The time comes on to fix the ratio for
taxation. 1t does not require much
argument from those who are to re-
ceive the benefits of the tax levy to
convince three Commissioners, or a
City Council, that the ratio should be
high enough to afford plenty of money
to carry out plans that promise much,
but alas! generally result in little.
Then begins the work Of collecting an
excessive tax. Many do not pay, and
penalty and costs are added to their
burdens with rate OF interest three
times as great as the State, county or
city pays to creditors. This has re-
suited in an accumulation of burdens
until, for self protection, the taxpayers
band together for relief. The precise
means they will employ will be deter
mined when they come together. In
a multitude OF counsellors there is said
to be wisdom, and it is believed that
the representative men who will as
semble the last OF this month will be
a great benefit to the citizens and
State.
All methods OF relief will of
course center in vigorous retrench-
ment. Instead of sizing up the
amount of money needed to meet
fixed charges and very liberal salaries
OF a multitude OF officers, the plan sug-
gested will doubtless be to assess
property at its selling price, and limit
the ratio of taxation to much less a
maximum figure than now. Then
the service will be cut according to
measure. 1t is not expected that
this plan will receive an up
roarious applause from those who
always have their nose in the
manger, or form the class who spec
ulate in corporate securities, but
it is expected that every man who
owns home and provides for his FAM
lily from the proceeds of long hours of
toll will give the suggestions made by
the Taxpayers convention fair hear
ing, and if he does he will give the
movement to keep a lien off his
homestead cordial support.
Politicians may fear this movement,
but it is outside the beaten track of
partyism. They will not be able to
dictate TO it or control it. Like the
torrent that flows from the mountain
top, it is irresistible, and no obstruc-
ton will stay its onward progress.
-
SENATOR L. F. Thompson, one OF
the State pioneers, and one of the
first hop-raisers on the Puyallup. died
Sunday. He was likewise logger in
1855 and later on kept a hotel at
Steilacoom, then a promising embryo
city.