The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-06-26

The very excellent letter published In
the Post-intelgencer yesterday and
signed Magma Charta presents an issue
which is becoming Of constantly growing
interest. It treats Of the subject of tax
alton from two aspects: one as to the
law in this state upon the subject. and
the other as To the general law and pub
lie policy
The doctrine OF exemption IL entirely
new. and the practice has grown from "A
mere harmless evasion. If So IL may he
called Of a general principle. and as
sumed such proportions that tho people
have reheied against H. So long as the
amount of property to be exempted saved
only the very poor-and those who were
INSCRIPTIONS enough 10 take advantage
OF it--from the burden Of taxation. n
spirit of henevoience let 1t pass unaues-
toned: but when II was SO enlarged and
broadened as 10 throw the burden upon
proportion OF the people and exempt
those who were quite able 10 pay, II he
came necessary to interpose objection.
II Is very much like the old story az the
monkey and the nuts The subject has
been discussed so often In these columns
that II may seem like repetition 90 COM
moet upon the letter. hui the subject is
OF SO much Importance ard the interest
Increasing so rapidly. that it cannot he
ignored.
The courts have decided the legal ques-
ton, hu. they have not determined the
question of public policy False doctrines
must ice met with courage. or what VAS
Intended - ne a mcve contribution 10 The
general expenses OF government may
smonnt almost 10 connscatlon.
The Intention Of the constitution IS very
clear. There had been In some states
notorious .vasions ~ wealthy rroperty
owners 90 tactr taxes ~ coneeauug or
disparsging the vainv ~ certain property.
and SO putting heavier burden upon tha
poor. .'he provision VAS iutca,iea as 4,
declaration 81 thc principle that az ,ron
erty In this state should ba taxed equally
and uniformly. "a the end that every par
con and corporation should pay taxes In
proportion IN the Valuation 90 his her or
It's property could anything Re- more
wise and JUST
Those who support The proposition 90
exempt the property ~ CERTAIN persons
rely upon = iates provision That the
property II the United States ana 81. ,he
state. counties school districts ANA either
municipal corporations. ana auta either
property as the legislature ~ general ja~
provides. shall &c exempt fron }aNafisr
They take this 60 mean thai tire ,aast tu-
tom is subject 10 the absurd 'utfgfreta-
ton If meansnS that AL property saaG .e
subject 10 taxaiioa except that which SIS
not subject - TAXATION.
In fasor II the exemption lAw - is
claimed that the legislature haa uaaer
this provision the right II exempt s1I
property below tbe value 81 500 fa tae
person II any individual Tae coVtsss suf-
sni Ct the roSt-ia,eliiseHceg SAYS RE issx
should re called an act to eTesss tuo
clsssc. ~ people IA the state - W5sa-
fnsEan one ~ Which shall h~sr al t-e
burdens If taxation fer ,hs oiAor las
The latter ~ whiVh shall X exempt L.
might bs replied 80 this that she law -
"a general law and eNempts ar property
alike under S,a So jha1 Is does net rzsak~
rWo classes Of persons II Is trgse thRt
a., persons are ret taNet bass 'has tas
property Il. eut tie SPECIAL isefe,stion
consists % the fast that al properly an