The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1895-06-29
increased taxes and thus recompense
the state for the outlay in it's behalf.

increased taxes and thus recompense
the state for the outlay in its behalf.
But the federal government cannot
undertake this expense. It remains
Tor state governments to do SO. How
can it be done? The most eco.
nomical and efficient aid is found, per
haps. in the creation of a state highs
way commission Massachusetts, es-
tablished such a commission in 1892,
composed of three members, receiving
each $1,000 salary. Theft first report,
issued in 1893, is practical and valua-
BILE document for road builders and
students of the road question, and eA-
pecially is it useful for local supervise
ors of Massachusetts. Ohio and Penn
sylvanie have. also successful com mis-
sions. Indiana has already disc overed
the great value of permanent state
commissions in other fields Our stata
board OF charities and corrections has
done more than any other agency In
Improving the administration of poor
relief In the township, of jails, peni-
tentiaries and asylums, and in super
visirg the construction Of jails and
poorhouses The state board of tax
commissioners is the first successful
agency for reaching the property Of
wealthy corporations. A state high
way commission. composed of experts,
giving their entire time to their work,
assisting county and township super
visors, would do more for road Improve
ment In Indiana than any other legal
arrangement
Next the state should make appro-
priations in aid of county gravel and
mecadam roads, like the state aid In
New Jersey. 1t might not 60 SO far US
to contribute one-third. but it should
assist literally. 1t has been estimated
that Indiana spends s2,eSo, 900 yearly
for roads One-fourth or one-third of
this could bring better results il ex.
pended by the state instead OF counties
and townships, under the supervision
OF the state highway commission.
But how is the state to get the |
money? Taxes are already SO high |
that no political party can safely afford |
to increase them. Yet there is one pro-
life and painless source Of state revn-
nue. as yet overlooked by our law
makers. | mean the Inheritance tax.
Neighboring states have such tax I
Ohio taxes estates on progressive
scale of / per cent on surplus above
s., 600, and raising to per cent. on
estates of 100000 and over. New
York gets 50, OO0, 900 to 81, o00, 900 year
from this tax. II Indiana had a tax
like the one In Geneva, Switzerland, il
would yield probably 81, 900, 900 a year,
and q tax like the ono in Ohio would
yield fully 81, 000, 900. The Inheritance
tax is not tax in the ordinary
sense. 1t does not press upon
industry. 1t does not take from man
what he has earned Only a few pay
the tax. 1t comes mainly from the
cities, and from great estates which
could not have been accumulated and
devised without the fostering care of
the state government Such a tax
should be devoted to the two great pur-
poses of free schools and free roads.
These are the two ways in which the
state can best build up its citizens,
those in the poorer sections.
Both expenditures return to the state
compound interest. They make better
citizens and better taxpayers
And so, in conclusion, it seems to me-
rom a comparison with what other
'tates are doing that the lines of
harpest attack for the advocates OF ,
Dad improvement in Indiana are an
Inheritance tax for state aid to county
Dads, and highway commissioner to
administer it. In this way could the
ntire state, without adding to its pres
Mt burdens, promote the building OF !
he best roads where they are most
eeded, and thereby relieve the farmer &
a his depressed condition. stimulate I
griculture and create market for its l
manufacturers. merchants and labor 7
rs.-J. Z. Commons, of Indiana uni 4
ersity, in Good Roads ,