Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1895-01-04

'otai Valuation Oh tne county, II must
bear half the debt.
Bonds. Warrants Totals
county debt. 1880 $1,000 IG2 800
City debt. ........ .200OO0 $4,000 3g3 600
1t School District. 1900 $1,000 i2i,OOO
ssd,5Oo $4,000 67e,5OO
Ninety-three thousand street grade war
rants were included in above city debt
because the city may have to pay them.
The total valuation of property in the
city by the last assessment is s., 700, 900,
in round numbers, SO that the public
debt equals % per cent. or one quarter
of the value of all the property in it.
Moreover this debt is all interest bear
ing at high rates, 10 and per cent. on
warrants, and 81 per cent. on bonds, so
that the annual interest charge equals
$4,000, or nearly . per cent. of the valua-
ton. Add to this the superabundance
of public officials and the costly and
complicated methods of transacting pub
lie business enjoined by existing laws,
and it is no wonder that the current
taxes reach nearly per cent. of the
assessed valuation; that the present rate
of taxation exceeds the average income
or yield of the property taxed, and is
nothing but confiscation in reality.
The delinquent tax rolls show % per
cent for 1892, and so per cent for 1899,
still unpaid, and prove only too well
that the limit of endurance has been
passed; that the means of the people
have been exhausted, and that a COM
plete financial breakdown, involving
taxes, bonds and warrants in common
bankruptcy, and the community in last
ing disgrace, is imminent, and can be
averted only the united and well direct
ed efforts of the whole people.
And first of all the present system of
tax-levying and debt-making must be
abolished. 1t has been the chief means
OF mourning the heavy burdens now
weighing down the State and presents
an insuperable obstacle to any lasting
relief i'll the future. The system con-
sists of four separate Independent au
thorities each invested with the sover-
eign power of taxation over one and the
same community, each empowered to
incur debt, issue bonds and warrants to
be borne by one and the same commune
ity-four task.nastors and one serf!
These authorities are the Legislature, the
County Commissioners, the City Coun-
Gil and the Board of School Directors.
The Legislature cannot well be limited,
but why allow the other three boards,
each practically at its own direction, to
multiply taxes upon the same people,
and mortgage their property by triple
public debts. In other States all the
taxes are levied by single authority be.
sides the Legislature. Why not here?
The limit of Indebtedness set by the
State constitution is 5 per cent. for each
of these municipal corporations. which
allows public debt of Is per cent. on
the same property, and is too large TO af-
ford adequate protection. But large as
it is, it is too frequently ignored, and
debts are incurred and warrants issued
in utter contempt of even so lax re-
straint.
But one result could follow such a sys-
tenn and practice, and it has already ar
rived. The county has stopped issuing
warrants. The city warrants are no
longer current; the banks refuse them;
they pass only at heavy discount.
While men are working on the capitol
building for $l.25 day, the city is pay
ing workmen 81 day in its warrants,
which bear 8 per cent. interest and must
be redeemed hereafter interest and all.
by taxes wrung from an overburdened
people.
Under this system the mountain of
public debt is ever growing bigger and
bigger. The county issued $40, 7G6 and
paid only SO, 1O7 OF general fund warrants
during the year ending June 30, 1894.
The city has issued, in round numbers,
during the last year, $49, 900 in warrants
and redeemed $4,000. The school dis
trict issued $l6,37l and redeemed only
,687 in warrants in 1894.
Shall this ruinous system continue uIl-
til all is lost, or will the people break it
up with vigorous hand, and establish
system for their own benefit, and not
wholly in the interest Of tax eaters?
To this end the Association offers the
following measures, and invites all to
Join it in recommending them to the
Legislature.
l. Reasonable limits to be set to fu-
ture taxation and public debt, and the
limits to be enforced.
z. The mountain of warrant indebted
ness to be reduced as far as possible by
collection of back taxes, and the balance
to be funded in bonds at per cent in.
terest.
3. To encourage and enable the over
burdened people to pay their taxes, PEN
alties and interest to be RENTED, and 10
per cent. of taxes of 1894.
4. Warrants to be receivable in pay
ment OF delinquent taxes.
5. To reduce the tax-levying and debt
making municipal corporations from
three practically to one, SO that only one
authority besides the Legislature shall
be empowered to tax the people.
6. To simplify existing laws. and re.
duce unnecessary expenses in all
branches of the State, and municipal
governments.
No measures can be devised so perfect
as to escape criticism. The burdens and
dangers OF the present situation every
one must admit. Then let all unite in
seeking remedy. If these measures
are not satisfactory, suggest something
better. The Legislature will give ear to
all, and may be trusted to adopt what
best meets the needs and demands of
the people.