The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-03-06
A NOVEL, IDEA.
Getting Clear of Taxes-CuriOus and
Instructive Figures.


Instructive Figures.
To the Editor
I'm another column will be found the call
for Peoples party convention. An in
vtation is at the same time extended to
a variety of organizations to turn out and
help put out the ms in the outs and
regulate the eternal fitness of things gen
erally''
The above was the comment made by
the editor of the Isanti County Press on
our call for a convention last fall. And,
as Mr.. Donnelly is now writing a novel,
1 wish to tell of a novel idea that struck
the writer upon reading the said comment.
I know nothing of the trend of Mr.. Don
nelly's novel, but if it should be in the
direction of my novel idea, he is welcome
to make of it, My idea was this: If
all the offices created are mostly for some
one to get in and draw a comfortable
salary, perhaps we should try and get
along a few years without any offices.
Organize a vigilance committee in each
township and save that unnecessary ex-
pense of taxing ourselves for such luxur-
les. Isanti county pays annually tax of
from 200O0 to $25, 900, and did at the last
lection cast 1864 votes. Now, suppose, in
stead Of going to the polls, we had stayed
at home and earned enough to make up
the even $4,000, and lent it out at per
cent interest, continuing so for 10 years.
we would, by taxing ourselves as usual,
each year for 10 years, have at the end of
the first year, $4,000; second, $51 $50. 50;
third, $SO,372 fourth, $11O 99S; fifth, $l43 767;
sixth, $169,S3o; seventh, $2O6,71 eighth,
$246, 4SS; ninth, $2SS,742, and, at the end of
the 10th year, $343, 954. Now, Isanti would
be in good shape to go into the banking
business. Building bank and fixing it up
at cost of $23,579 would still have 1925, 900
of capital to let out at the rate of per
cent.
We are not going to be unreasonable or
hoggish in Isanti county, only asking legal
interest, payable semi-annually in advance,
and use the 1 per cent for expenses and
salaries. This would leave us 6 per cent
net, which, I understand will, if collected
semi-annually, in advance, double in II
years, eight months and 20 days. But we
are willing to grant three months and 10
days grace every 18th year. I told you
there are no hogs using money in Isanti
county. Then, at the end of % years, we
would be worth $6i0,00O tat the end of 81
years we would be, WORTH 81 $4,000; at the
end of 46 years, $2,5 ,000.,,I will not bother
the reader to show chow ave are going to
Prosress. we areosthehf going to build
railroads, run by electricity, in all direc-
lions through Isantt county. By this time
and at the end of ago years. Isanti county
is going to be WORTH $S3 Soc, $50 600, and will
at the same time be- paying salaries to en-
ployes and agents ito thu, amount of $685.
06o,SoO annually. And POpulism and Peo-
pies party will nota be dreamed of much
less thought of. Aloof Os will be working
for honest money and a gold basis; and
as IN the time of Solomon, silver will be
considered of little ralueg And all because
a disappointed PopIifist happened to strike
that good idea, thateeaving the taxes and
working on the election day for the short
space of 10 years. ami putting it out at
per cent interest. Figures do not lie. and
everyone can prove it if he wishes.
Yours truly
J. F. ZATTERSTROM