New-York tribune., 1901-04-16
TANNING" IN SILENCE.

Albany dispatches proclaim the stubborn pur-
pose of the supporters of the Stranahan Mort
gage Tax bill 10 Jam through that measure
in spite Of all opposition. ''Jamming through"
is the only proper phrase with which TO describe
the process by which this bill is making way
toward the statute book 1t is not to be eX-
pected that all persons will agree any great
public question. If after full discussion ma
Jority of the people want n certain thing they
VIII of course have II. But il is to be eX-
pected. In a well conducted republican govern
ment. that measure of taxation involving the
interests of every citizen shall not be brutaly
forced through without the least attempt by
its responsible sponsors 10 meet the serious OBJ
tections made on all sides TO its provisions
and 10 explain IL End commend il to public
favor. In common decency Mr.. Stranahan and
mis- associates owe 10 the people an exposition of
their measure "A statement of reasons for its
peculiar provisions and exemptions, and de-
tailed estimate of the probable revenue to be
derived and Of the expense OF collecting it.
Several weeks ago public hearing was given
OH the bill, at which influential representative
men appeared and presented most forcefu ar
Guments against its passage. Not the slightest
attempt has been made TO show that those
arguments We're wrong. Not a speech is made
ia explain it, Not interview is given which
seriously commends its provisions. Speaker
Nixon apparently wants to do so. but all
his conscience seems 10 permit is the plea that
the rural voters favor it. and that this is
Legislature very largely composed of rural
members. and they must heed the sentiment
''of voters in their districts or be prepared to
''retire permanently from public office" A
desire 10 retain office is indeed a worthy excuse
for supporting bill which one dares not defend
or explain.
Some time before TIE hearing Mr.. Strana-
han made n statement full OF contradictions
in one sentence saying the lender would pay
the tax. and in another that the borrower
would pay IL, but that he need not mind that
because his general real estate tax would be
correspondingly reduced. 1t was at once shown
that il would not be correspondingly reduced,
because only the borrowers on taxed mortgages
would bear the new burden, while all the own
ers or free real estate and the corporate and
individual borrowers on exempt mortgages
would share with him In the tightening Of the
general tax. The amount raised, instead of be-
ing taken from ali land owners, now. would
he taken from some Of the debtor class. and
generally the poorest OF that class among land
owners. Since those arguments Of Mr.. Strana-
han were knocked to pieces nothing can induce
him to open his mouth to defend his bill 1t is
no longer seriously contended that the borrower
In the long run would not pay the tax. The
most that any body can he got TO say is that the
bill will produce revenue" and plans for indi-
rect revenue Just or unjust, II seems to make
little difference. are the craze Mt Albany.
How much revenue will il produce? If any
body knows. he is keeping the information ia
himself Mr.. Stranahan estimated last year thst
the State would receive SlO.O0O.OO0 from a taX