Semi=weekly graphic., 1898-12-17
Needed Legislation
". D. JONES.
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The discussion of public questions can never fail to be of beneht to the people at large, because the de- fiieienees of the subject, as well as it's benefits, are brought prominently into view. The best plan fol the discussion of which may be of public interest is in the columns of the newspapers of the country, because in this way greater part of the people is reached.
 The Legislature Is soon to con- vene. It will not be great while before our salons will depart or the Capital charged with the onerous duty of making laws for our future government.
 With this body, as with all which have preceded it, there will be the charge of doing much that was useless, though 1t Is to be hoped it will have more to it's credit than some others.
 There is some legislation which would in my judgment be of benefit 10 this county, and it would see m to follow as necessary conclusion that 1t would be of benefit to the balance of the State.
 Our revenue law is very unsatis- factory. and imposes unequal bur dens on taxpayers, beside driving immigration away by making our rates of taxation appear greater than 1t is. The foundation of the 1 evil is in the fact that State and county taxes are levied and collected on the same property valuation. The people of Jefferson county want to pay their taxes in proportion to what ether counties with similar re- sources and wealth pay. They do not consider it fair, nor Is 1t fair, that they should pay greater amount Tn proportion to their wealth than is paid by other coun- ties.
 The banner county in the State, we will say for the sake of illustra- tion, gives a ritlculously low assess ment in both personally and realty. The other counties must straight way follow suit and secure q general reduction in their values, or not suc- ceeding in this, must pay more than their part of the burdens of govern ment. Not only this, but 1t also gives to the tradesmeD, in the county favored by low valuations, a very decided advantage over his fellow tradesmen in other parts of tie State where valuations are higher. It is obvious that the dealer favored by the payment of a trifiingtax, can afford to sell goods cheaper than his neighbor who must pay more. Thls is not chimerical. It has been gen orally told, and l have never heard it denied, that a merchant in neigh boring city had fire. His assess ment at that time was about $40 000,G0. He collected from the in surance companies about eight times | this amount; and th3 amount col lected in insurance was greater than the entire merchandise assessment of his city.
 If the present law makes, or is calculated to make man dishonest, it should be corrected. What is the remedy? My suggestion is that the county and State tax be separated. Let the Legislature enact law, if 1t can be done under the preseat Con- I stitution, if notIet that instrument be changed so that it can be done, fixing a certain amount to be paid by each county into the State treasury for the support of the State government. This plan if adopted would permit the property of courty to be assessed at it's full value, and the jealousies arising be- tween counties as to which was called upou to pay the greatest amount of State tax could find no place. An equitable conclusion could be easily reached, and fair and honest assessment made against each county. Thls the State would get what she is entitled to receive and would not lose anything, and the benefit to the county would be