The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-01-27
OTHER PEOPLES NOTIONS
On the Tax Commission Report.

To the Editor of The Journal:
No meeting Of the legislature since this
state was organized is so important to the
people as the extra session called to meet
Feb l. 1902. So far the people are not aroused
to it's Importance, and may not be until they
are saddled with a law whose baneful efects
we shall not recover from in many years.
The taxes have rapidly increased, and the
pressure is felt by nearly all classes OF people,
hence it is but natural that they should seek
a remedy. Either the income from taxes must
be increased or the expenses OF our state,
counties and cities must be reduced. The tax
commission have considered only the first
proposition; that is, how to increase the IN
come. s.,s..s H.
The tax commission, composed of capable
and honest men, recognize the fact that 1t is
impossible for them, without amendments to
the constitution, to prepare just and salts
factory law, even one that they would rec
ommend They admit that the one submitted
is unWise and impracticable.
Let us look at some of the provisions Of this
proposed law and see how bad would be
their working out
For example, consider the provisions of sec
tons 154 and 155, changing the making of the
tax statements and receipts from the county
treasurer, as at present, to the county auditor.
These rest on no demand for a change from
present methods which are satisfactory to
the taxpayers, are simple, practical and safe.
The contemplated change involves many times
the present work and expense, with no prac-
tical result to the public except much greater
cost and burdensome waiting for tax state
ments, which will not be endured. Further
more, no provision is made for tax statements
by mail -.'t
1t is one of the pet theories Of the late bank
examiner General Pope, which was brought
before the last legislature, but met its fate
in the committee.
Under the head of Delinquent Taxes" (sec-
ton 1897, collections are to be made 10y the
county treasurer by distraint and sale Of
| personal property to pay taxes, penalties.
costs, etc., instead of by the sheriff, as at
present. This duty comes at time of year
when the county treasurer and all his force
should be in the Office attending to taxpayers
VINO are present in crowds to pay real estate
taxes just before the June penalty goes on,
instead Of doing work which properly belongs
to the county's sheriff. Such a change is
theoretical rather than practical.
The change in the amount of exemption of
personal property from $780,. as at present, to
$25, would distress a multitude Of worthy citi-
zens and yield scarcely enough revenue to pay
for enforcing It,
J This is the wrong handle Of the dilemma
There are some features of our present tax
law that, no doubt, could be made much bet
ter: But the remedies proposed by the new
law are unfair, inquisitorial and hateful,
amounting almost to confscation of some
kinds OF property, and plainly against public
policy. In trying to remedy it, we shall find
we have jumped out of the fryingpan into
the fire.
1 have not time to discuss all its objection
able features, but will consider, some prac-
tical objections that I think should have
weight with our legislature beforeSthey pass
| the law recommended by the tax commission
1t would seem at; first glance that. to in
crease the amount of assessable property,
would reduce the rate. OF taxation. Expert
| ence has proved this to be d failacy. So long
as human nature remains as it is. the desire
and aim Of most common councils and others
who have the spending of the people s. money,
will be to have more hgh-salared officials:
more contracts for work. to lay out more
| parks; to build larger courthouses ;Sto issue
! more bonds, which meansSa higher rate of
| nothing of paying the bonds, These things
| higher valuation will enable them to do
and keep within the legal limits.
| If the farming community think they are to
! be benefited by a more searching assessment
| of personal property, they will be badly mis-
taken. 1t will think, work this way fo1
1 them. The real estate of cities is now as
sessed at about its full value. Under the
proposed law all property is to be assessed
at its full value. This will put up farming
! land in a general way from 100 to 200 per cent
| for assessment purposes.
| Second, it will work badly for the farmer
| to tax mortgages. The reasonsswhy farmers
can borrow money at to 6 per cent is that