Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-01-27
than does this citv's extra share of the

/
| find, by computation that Centralia
has TO contribute of this SI2, 100, about
1892. That the total amount of tax
levied In Centralia this year, for all
purposes, is S15,050. Thus, it will be
seen, about 81 out of every SIC paid by
tax payer, goes to this extra expense.
The town of Seneca's share of this
Sl2, lUO is 1852; and the total tax levied
in the town is SC, 4SO, making the amount
paid by each individual, 81 out of every
SO paid by him.
Marshfeld city levied total tax OF
S27 ,436 81, and its share or proportion
of this 12.l00 is about S1736, making a
proportion of about 81 in every SIG.
In the town of Wood, the pro rata
share is about 81 in every Sl1, paid by
a tax payer.
These figures, it seems to me, demon
strate verv clearly that this extra
amount of county tax is small item in
the cause for high taxes in Wood
county.
If, at some future date, the suits now
pending against the county in regard to
taxes levied in Marshfield, are decided
in favor of the county, the county
treasury will be greatly replenished,
and county taxes can be correspond
ingly reduced.
[ regret, as mnch as any one, the
large expense attendant upon the pro-
secution of Lord and Emery, yet when
this total expense is distributed over
the whole county, the amount paid by
each individual tax payer is not large,
and it seems to me, that there is no
foundation in reason for the feeling of
prejudice upon this subject which some
persons seem to haye.
While this amount of over $l2, 200 is
in the aggregate, large sum, it is only
one of the causes, and not the principal
cause for our high taxes. The percent
age of increase by the levy of this sum
is SO small on most persons property,
as to be almost unnoticeable, and ought
not to be made a mountain out of what
is but mole hill.
Defendants in criminal cases are en-
titled to acquittal and discharge unless
convicted according to and within the
established rules and principles Of the
law, no matter if the costs. by reason
of errors in the prosecution, are heavy
The common everyday tax payer has
as much interest as anyone in the main
| tenance of this rule, because no one
can tell how soon, by reason of unfortu-
nate surroundings or suspicious circum-
stances connected with some crime in
which he had no part, he may need its
protection, and without prejudice
created on general princip pie against
persons accused Of crime.
You say, in this article, among other
things, that nearly $4,000 has already
been paid by the county," when it
seems to me you certainly must know
that this statement is not correct. The
county has not by means of taxes levied
and collected, in fact, paid up to the
present date, for only one trial, and in
| elusive of other expenses, board
sheritt7s fees, ETC., subsequent to that
trial, in all not exceeding $4,000. You
| know the loan for expenses Of the
second trial has not yet been paid by
the county, nor the expenses of the
last trial; hence, it must be plain that
$4,000 has not already been paid in
the sum your statement implies. [
know of no justification, either. for
your statement that $4,000 will have to
be paid for the last trial. AS | under
stand it, the expenses Of the last trial
will not exceed 200.
When | started to write this COM
munication, | intended to refer more
at length to the local causes for high
taxes in this city, and what seems to
me extravagant and unnecessary levy
Of taxes for 1896 and for 1897, and to
compare these taxes with other cities
of about the same size; but have al
ready extended this communication
longer than [ ought to, and will leave
this subject for some future time.
Yours Respectfully