The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-08-19
Taxation.


country are increasing, not only ac-
tually but also relatively to the popu-
latior; yet some figures cited in a re-
cent address by the comptroller of the
state of New York, Hon. James A.
Roberts, illustrate this increase vivid
~ Not only has the per capita cost of
the federal government grown from
$107 in 1920 to S6OS in 1894. but since
1850 the per capita cost of state gov
ernment in New York has increased
from $1S0 to $3.50 in 1897, while the per
capita cost of municipal government,
taking Buffalo as a basis, has in half a
century risen from 1927 to SO. In II
years the expenses of government in
our adjoining commonwealth have in
creased l73 per cent. while the increase
in population was only 20 per cent. 1t
is probable that if a similar eXamina-
tion were made in each state, county
and city, the relative growth of taxa
ton would show similar vitality.
That much of this growth arises from
enlarged demands upon government is
readily conceivable without destroying
the suspicion that much of it is also
due to civic Carelessness and the nat
ural eXpansiveness of the demand for
political spoils. Mr. Roberts notes the
creation in bis state within two de-
cades of Sc new state departments and
commissions and says of them: THE
truth of history compels the statement
that very many of these offices were
created to meet a political emergency
rather than to fulfill a public want"
With reference to this general tenden-
cy he forciblv hut truly adds: The
desire of nearly every man actively en-
gagged in politics seems to be to find or
create as many places for constituents
as possible and to get as much money
as he can from some public crib to be
eXI ended in mis- locality under his own
direction. In politics he is considered
most successful who gets two men into
place where one could do the work or
gets from the pubic two dollars to
spend where one would accomplish the
purpose" Comptroller Roberts con-
tinues:
| do not think we have yet passed the
danger limit of taxation, but we ha ye
reached the point where there is a deep
feeling of unrest and where a halt must
be called or there will be danger. Nor is
a halt likely to be called until the honest
Intelligence of our people is aroused ana
men are sent to legislate and administer
who will act up to the honesty and econ
omy of private business. There are a
great many DR.. JCkyls in business and So
slal relations who are Mr.. Hydes in poll
tics. There is a political conscience whicn
is al variance with the conscience that
restraints mems actions in other relations
of life, and are we not all more or less
to blame for this? If a man were known
to take a bribe in a business matter or
use a relation of trust for his own pecun-
itry advantage or profit or make dis
honest promises, his position in decent So
c'ety would be compromised or he would
be excluded from it. Is it so in politics?
On the contrary are not such practices in
political and public life rather regarded
as evidences of superior shrewdness?
Until the sense ard conscience of our peo-
pie come to regard mans political and
public life and duty as controlled by the
same rules as his private life and duty,
and subject violations of these rules in
political life to the same legal and sccial
punishments which follow such violations
III piNdtt buSllltSS ne, blllCldl thlTdNd-
gance and corruption will continue to
flourish.
In considering how to halt the ten
dency to extravaganza in the use of
public funds the conclusion will be
likely to force itself upon intelligent
men that the proper beginning point
is in connection with city government,
which is nearer and dearer than other
government and therefore more easily
subjected to searching scrutiny. The per
capita cost of the government of Penn
sylvania is but $3.50, and this is borne
almost entirely by the corporations
and saloons, but the per capita cost of
the government of the city of Scranton.
for example, is not far from thrice
that sum, and it is a tax from which
no inhabitant wholly escapes. When
approximate economy and honesty
have been instituted in few of the
principal cities it will not be difficult
to get better results in state and ma