Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1900-10-04
This Should Be Read.


has prepared statement which COM
pletely refutes Colonel Dick Dal.on's
charge that the Democrats, in their
management of State affairs. had i'm
posed unjust burdens upon the farmers.
He says:
Colonel Dalton makes the specific
charge the Democratic management of
State affairs has imposed outrageously
unjust burdens, in the form of State
taxes, on the farmers of Missouri.
If this charge is true, If the great
agricultural interests of Missouri are
being unjustly burdened by State tax
alton, then Colonel Dalton is perfectly
justified in renouncing the Democratic
party and espousing the Republican
cause.
Let US see if there is a shadow Of
truth in Colonel Dalton's statement.
The question is not a difficult one to
determine. The records are at the
disposal of any citizen, and no amount
of partisan misstatements can possibly
alter them.
To reach an intelligent conclusion
as to whether Colonel Dalton's charge
is true it is but fair TO institute a COM
parison of taxation under Republican
rule in Missouri with that imposed by
the Democrats.
During the six years the Republicans
were in power in Missouri they i'm
posed a State tax of so cents on the
500 valuation.
DEMOCRATS REDUCED TAX.
Wien the Democracy regained con-
troll system of economy was inau-
gurated which resulted in a steady re-
duction in the tax rate, until to-day it
amounts to 25 cents, or just one-half
of what the Republicans Imposed.
So much for the tax rate.
But Colonel Dalton charges that
while the tax levy was reduced, the
assessments were increased so that the
amount of State taxes paid by farmers
is greater than under the olG levy.
FIGURES TELL THE TRUTH.
Let US see how much truth there is
in this assertion.
Colonel Dalton begins with the year
1875 and compares with 1898. In or
der to meet his contention fairly and
intelligently, will use the same years.
10 1875 the State tax had been re-
duced to As cents.
In 1871 the farms of Missouri were
assessed, in round numbers, at $240,-
900, 900.
At As cents, the total State tax on
farms amounted to 81, ,0S0,00
In 1898 the farms of Missouri were
assessed at 1916, 900, 900, an increase
of s1.03 per acre.
In the meantime, the tax rate for
State purposes had been reduced to 25
cents.
This made the farms pay in 1898
$3.50, 900.
Instead, therefore, Of an increase in
the amount OF State taxes, there was a
decrease in the total amount paid of
1920, 900.
In 1875 the farms were assessed
$26, 900, 900 higher than the city and
town lots of the State.
In 1898 the city and town lots were
assessed $40, 900, 900 higher than the
farms.
Does this loook like Colonel Dalton
is telling the truth, when he charges
the Democracy with imposing unjust
burdens on the farmers?
Does it not rather prove that this
clap-trap about the burden of State
taxes is mere subterfuge to cover
Colonel Dalton's real motives in his
flop to Flory?
TAX ON DALToN's FARM.
But le. us get q little closer home TO
Colonel Dalton and see how the State
burden is depressing him.
Colonel Dalton is the fortunate own
er Of one of the best improved farms
in Rails county. It is not large farm,
but it is in high state of cultivation.
There are 157 acres, 100 of which are
in orchard, from which the Colonel
sold the apples last year, on the trees.
for $500.
/ have copy of Colonel Dalton's
tax bill for last year, which shows his
farm to be assessed at 81, $50.
Upon this Colonel Dalton paid q
total tax of 1925.
OF this sum the States portion
amounted to 1888, and the local taxes
to s29.1S.
In other words, Colonel Dalton's
burden for State purposes is FIVE times
less thar his county burden.
| REPUBLICANS IMPOSED BURDEN.
In a recent article which I wrote or
this subject, / stated that the real bur
den which the people of Missouri were
bearing in the way of taxation was the
fraudulent railroad tax imposed II
many of the counties of the State
while the party which Colonel Daltor
row sunnorts was in power.