The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-05-05
WATCH THE TREASURY.
Taxpayers League Organizes
to See That
Money is Not Wasted by County
and City Officials.
Politicians are No Longer to Have
Unlimited Sway in Such Matters.

Economy in the expenditure of public
moneys and a reduction in the rate of
taxation in the city of Topeka are two
reforms which the Taxpayers league,
organized last night, hopes to accon1p-
fish. Only a temporary organization
has been effected but NJ Snattinger, w.
H. Forbes and Col. Tweeddale consti-
tute a committee to confer with the
Commercial club and ascertain if the
two organizations can arrange to join
issues and labor together in the un-
dertaking suggested by the association
formed last night
It was the sentiment of the meeting
last night that membership fee of 81
should be charged taxpayers who pay
a t least $25 per year taxes, those pay
ing q less amount not being eligible to
membership, and that this class of cit
liens should work separately, permit
ting the Commercial club to assist II
possible, but avoiding a unity OF the
two organizations The principal OBJ
lection urged against the Commercial
club is that the membership fee of $12
and g monthly dues is too high, al
though President w H. Davis stated
that an effort is about to be made TO
increase the number of members and as
a result the fees would likely be re-
duced for that purpose. The question
was however, passed over pending the
investigation by the committee.
DR.. Hamilton objected to a union of
the two bodies stating that he had
been informed some members of the
Commercial club were not taxpayers.
There IS perhaps one exception re
piled President Davis.
The Commercial club is composed of
tiptop citizens and nearly all OF them
are taxpayers" suggested Mr.. Snat-
finger.
The league will meet on the first and
third Tuesdays of each month, the next
meeting being for the election of OH
GERS and selection of a place to meet,
although until that action IS taken,
DR.. Hamilton has placed his parlors at
the disposal of the league.
The selection of a name was the first
business taken up after a general dis
cussion of the objects of the proposed
organization.
J. s. Morse suggested that the organ
iZatiOn could well be called municipal
league and take up the line of work
being followed in other cites
I'VE had one municipal league" sug-
gested Mr.. TWeeddale.
What has become of it?'' inquired
someone.
oh, it died." was the melancholy re
ives, it is dead remarked Mr.. Tink-
No one thought to state that the rea-
son why it died. was because it admit
ted office holders who at once began to
manipulate it for partisan purposes.
Every municipal league and civic fed
GRAFTON in the country excludes city
runs for office must at once resign his
membership.
One provision of the bylaws of the
proposed Taxpayers league was that
politics" should not enter into the or
ganization.
I suggest that be stricken OUT said
Mr.. TWeeddale.
Il think so too" said MT. Heerv.
'Well let's have the name Taxpayers
league and strike out the reference to
politics" said DR.. Hamilton.
=
work. If we simply pass resolutions
We will accomplish nothing" said Mr..
TWeeddale.
Mr. Snattinger: ''In union there is
complish is in the future We know now
that if We go before the council We can
never get them to do anything. We
know that we cannot get along without
taxes and We know also that some re-
forms may be instituted through judic-
ious expenditures and more careful
economy in city and county affairs. All
we want is just and fair taxation. Real
estate is now valued at about nine
tenths less than it was nine years ago,
but the rate is still high 1t is only a
question of fair proportion. There must
be something wrong. have observed
in an experience of nearly 80 years
your valuation is in the millions or
away down low we still have the four
and four and One-half per cent rate
we must move carefully so as not to
dale. "Of course. 7 am not talking
politics now, but I believe that in our
city worb-if had charge of it there
would be more economy. as there is not
a bit of sentiment 2 bout me when it
comes to matters of business-we
should have more attention paid to our
financial interests For example, we
are paying SO per day for teams, what
we paid years ago. Also $3.50 per day
for eight hours work. Really paying
prices which we cannot afford.
What we need are municipal
reforms, beyond attending meetings
and adopting resolutions, too. We
must have men who can figure out
these questions and be prepared to
produce arguments in favor of reduc-
ton of taxes. We do not care to avoid
our just obligations, but we must have
a change somewhere.
ITO reduce our valuation and the
taxes we must reduce our expenses"
said Mr. Morse. We have for years
been trying to get rid of the fee system,
but the first steps in that line were
taken last winter. Other reductions in
public expenditures should also be
made. This is an important question
and we have, in my opinion, an OppOr-
tunity to do some good work for the
people along this line"
J. A Nelson: I have been trying to
sell my property at one-half less than
1 was offered in spot cash for it sew
eral years ago. While the price has
decreased to that extent I find that the
valuation has been raised 5000, a fact
which almost paralyzed me when I
went to pay my taxes. However, I
have never been before the board of
equalization, as I always pay what is
assessed against me and say nothing.
But asked some of the county officers
why the valuation had ben raised, and
they said they did not know but would
look it up. That was the end of it.
There is something radically wrong
somewhere"
Mr.. Heery: IF we cannot get a re-
duction there is no use in attempting
an organization We know that men
who do not pay taxes went to the
polls and voted heavy bond issues up
on which we are now paying high rates
of interest The city now owes 1896, 900
in bonds; the school bonds outstanding
amount to $4,000; the county indebt-