Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-10-13

4 intended to promote the general progress
of the State. and If they do not in some
way contribute to its material prosperity.
More money is used to-day in Il public
way than generation since, but cores
pondingly more enjoyment Is afforded the
people. The burdens of government are
rs light in our State as in any other in
the Union, and very much less than in
many; and If any share the feeling that
we are progressing too rapidly
and enjoying more than we can
afford. or that we are too great Il
departure from the economy of the IA
theirs. they may be comforted by knowing
that the direct tax upon the people for
what we have of a public character is
less than in those times with which the
present is compared. 1t would take too
much of your time to show here how
/ every dollar is disposed of, and it would
he scarcely profitable to do SO since the
reports of the officials entrusted with the
disbursement of the State funds are read
lily accessible and furnish every possible
detail of expenditure.
| DOUBLE TAXATION AND REVENUE.
| Revenue should have a basis of levy
the business of which depends upon equal
lity, which means that every citizen should
| pay taxes on all his property, thus cqua-
| bly, supporting the government that pro-
teCts all alike.
from an inequality in this basis growing
out of the fact that portion of the debit
or class is taxed on more property than
1t is worth; a mans worth being the net
of his possessions after deduCting what he
owes. And this is because this class Is
not allowed to offset debts against real
estate.
The exact point of claim in this matter
Is between the mortgagor and the mort
gage of real estate. The mortgagor. in
whose name the real estate stands, pays
the taxes on its appraised value while
he may have Indebtedness over and above
! his personal property appraisal, which ii
applied against his real estate would re-
4uce his taxable list. This is not paying
twice, but rather paying on what a man
does not own, for his property, real and
personal alike. in a sense belongs to his
creditors until his debts are paid.
| The MORTGAGE presumably pays on the
notes, which are distinct assets from the
realty, and 50 one tax only is paid by min
| The real plea in this matter is in behalf
of that portion of the debtor class VINO
hold real estate, and thoy would he re-
lievcd from this injustice If an offset
against real estate were allowed. This
class could also be relieved and the real
estate values taxed in the State by taxing
the mortgage notes IN the town where
the real estate is located, allowing the
morlGdEor to pay the tax and deduct it
from the interest, and also allowing him
to offset his debts against his real estate.
This plan would save the grand list of tho
State from change, while a simple offs I
against real estate would no doubt materi-
ally change the list; but it would be a
direct remedy.
Allowing the mortgngor to pay and de-
duct as suggested would tend to change
money from towns paying heavy taxes to
those less heavily burdencd, but this could
be practically avoided by fixing the taN
on such notes in all the towns alike and
at the average for the State
These plans are opposed hy the money
lender, and his idea of relief is to exempt
his notes, bearing IA low rate OF interest
from taxation. There is a ready obicc-
ton to this in the fact that such Il rule
imposes II correspondingly heavier burden
upon the taxpaying property, and the
debt-burdened taxpayer helps carry it,
Therefore, do not exempt from taxes for
such reasons.
: This case is thus fully stated because il
} has been so much mooted, and upon such
mistaken ground. This. therefore, is tc
continue the effort of last session to make
it palmer as to both complaint and remedy
1t seems clear. however, that the troubl,
; complained of is misunderstood or rather
misnamed, and that II would be measure,
bly, rcmedled by either plan suggested
and nothing Is palmer than that exemp
ton Is too much to the money lender.
, advantage 1t Is fair, however, to say
that upon inquiry among the States. non,
OF tncm nave any plan by which this ir
: equality Is wholly corrected; and after
investigation, provision for which was lie
lucsted of your predecessors, and bet
ter understanding of the particular cues
T tion involved, the opinion Is VenturcC
e that any conceivable remedy would no
fully relieve, and disturb more than /
would quiet 1t is also believed tha
tstg Ia lEft a
{ as double taxation in our revenue system
e but that certain class does pay take.
e on more property than 1t owns and that ,
= certain other class is not thus suspected
a 1t is then deemed good policy to cithe
a prove the error Of the premises or ceas
y agitation.
e EDUCATION.
r The common schools, under our educa
e tional system, which, may we not con
= graduate ourselves, is firmly establishe ed
G Wouli undoubtedly be improved by Il bet
@ ter supervision The beneficial infucnc
e upon schools of a thorough superintend
once cannot be questioned. In matters o
property you aim to secure the highes
order of care and responsibility. Shout
YOU do less for your children during tn
f formative period of their lives?
THE COLLEGES.
: The colleges at Burlington and Middle
e the aid they receive from the treasury
+ Higher education in this State is upon
It better footing than ever before, apprc
g ciably because Of the assistance found /
Il State announcement.
u NORWICH UNIVERSITY.
: Norwich university differs from an
q ether educational institution in the Stat
a and from the work it has done deserve
special consideration. A school in whic
a Dewey and many others prominent /
the country's history were educate
n should receive more generous support.
l. has since the civil war labored undo
y great disadvantages and should not b
n allowed to continue longer as it has bee
obliged to, but be given such State recop
5, milton as will enable II to enlarge the fel
h of its usefulness and enter upon ne,
Is era Of prosperity.
C This school is based upon obedienc,
y and calculated to develop the best typ
.e Of citizenship.
~ THE NORMAL SCHOOLS.
rs Pursuant to No. 20. acts Of 1896, w. I
l. Howard of Middlebury, c. A. Bunker G
l. Peacham. F. w. Pierce of Chester. and I
N s. Norton of Bennington were appointed