New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-27
REMEDY FOR OPPRESSIVE TAXATION
ELECT HONEST AND CAPABLE LEGISLATORS AND
REDrCE THE EXPENSE OF THE STATE
GOVERNMENT

To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir I have read with much interest the numerous
communications from aggrieved taxpayers upon the
subject of oppressive personal and other taxes. re-
Gently published in The Tribune. well the
several editorial articles relating the sub
jcct.
Your correspondents have my hearty sympathy.
for l. too am a victim OF the perncious legisla-
ton and oppressive taxation with which the tax
payers Of the State afflicted 1t U.s. however,
Notwithstanding the seriousness Of the matter.
amusing 10 observe the apparent anxiety OF most OF
the compliments 10 discover some method by which
the load under which they are staggering can be
placed other shoulders. without regard to the
Justice or propriety of the proceeding. They seek
relief from evil without apparently giving n
thought to the real cause Of the evil
Why not strike at the root Of the evil, which Is
10 be found in recklessy extravagant and. In many
cases corrupt state and municipal legisa ton
We have often been reminded that the expense of
our State government has Increased during the
last Twelve fifteen years from less than ten
millions to more than twenty millions annually.
To meet this enormous and needless increase
every possible source Of revenue has been sought.
Oppressive corporation and Inheritance taxes have
been levied. industry and enterprise have been
taxed and widows and orphans have been robbed in
order meet the ever-n creasing burdens annually
laid upon the taxpayers by the legislators. whom
they have permitted to represent them AT Albany,
I'm the counties and in the several municipalities Of
the STATE. And yet the taxpayer found no relief.
Even the Ralnes law with its annual yield Of
twelve millions has produced a scarcely perceptible
effect upon the demands OF the tax-gatherer.
In order to keen NJ the pace new sources OF
revenue are being sought. one statesman 60 pro-
poses 10 take two millions year from the savings
Of the poor. Others would tax stocks OF corpora
tons. which. as T. the case with the uNHuoh oi
mortgages. is double tlxatlon. a.,
Tho remedy FOR these most oppressive wrongs lies
with the people themselves. Let them see 10 II
that honest and capable men are selected 10 repre-
cont them and protect their interests IN the Legs
iature IN boards Of supervisors and in city coun-
Gle let them serve notice upon their representa-
lives that cxtravagant and needless appropriations
will not be tolerated and that they VIII nor submit
IN taxation for the support OF ncedlessly OK
nansye commissions nor for the support OF an
army Of snccurists whose sole duty II is regularly
IA draw their salaries for real or imaginary ponu-
always up-of the political Oliver Twists VINO IN
fest every community and who lacking me anlllty
10 maintain themselves by the honorable pursuit
II legitimate business and without chptoI,N nv
nortancc are vet ClamorOus for pOhtlcal prefer
mont and its emoluments-cheny us 'n''luil'ii,,
Reduced expenditure and lighter taxation woulu
fn,mcdfatcly follow the adoption or the means SUE
o.sted The public business would he managed
-. ie tho nrivate business Of the successtul IN
Ji-i1ual or the larger affairs OF succ"Ssful cor
porations: new sources OF revenue h'su t,orod
sought and widows and orphans would De isNeyed
tom The Infamous taxation which incapdpe' eN-
travagant and corrupt politicians nave Ievled upon
the modest Accommodations OF uer hu9""'''' "
H. !, recns 70 me that The Tribune and other
reput,ble papers might render conspicuous pupIi.
service by taking W this SUBJECT rhIdItIns "ln
&, nd by uoin:ing out to our people such Ilhc
ol hc'io" ~ q. y. NJ.
Troy y. Y. Feb 20. 1899.