The Newtown bee., 1903-02-13
and many new members have beer added to the church.
 THE BURDEN OF TAXATION.
 BY O. O. WRIGHT,
BY o. O. WRIGHT.

Are the taxpayers of NewtOwn bur dened by taxation? Let us see. We will first consider the rate, which is l2 mills. 1 will take the statistics of the State Register and Manual of 1901, and make 2 comparison. These figures were, of course, made several years ago, but are the latest we have at hand, for the whole state.
 Connecticut has 16s towns, of which IS are cities, also. The number of towns in which the rate of taxation was 12 mills, the same as in our own town, was 21; the number in which the rate was less than 12 mills was 40: and the number of towns in which the rate was more than 12 mills, was 107.
 In fl towns the rate was 15 mills: and in Fl towns the rate was over 15 mills. The lowest rate was seven mills, in Darien; and the highest rate was % mills, in Union; while in eight it was 20 mills or more.
 For Fairfield County alone, P towns, the average rate was about l2 mills.
 The average for the whole State, at that time, was at the rate of 13 mills and fraction.
 By this comparison, then, with the 167 other towns in the commonwealth, we are not burdened with taxation. oul dUC 10 1CGo Ul1dLl UAAO 0VOA06Ss
 And still our taxes may be burden some to us, for various reasons. We may be taxed out of proportion to the real value of our property. We may be unfairly or unequally assessed. But there are legal and moral remedies for all such abuses.
 Again we may be taxed out of pro- portion to the produetiveness, or in- come from our properties. But the town cannot help that. It may be our own fault. We should improve our farms, and make them pay; we should be more enterprising and increase our income; not only for our own sake, but for the interest of the town.
 Our taxes are burden and an im- position when the funds are mlsSpent and the public receives no just equiv alent for them. We spend enough to them, because the appropriations are not wisely applied to the purpose. It takes brains and skill to make good roads, and it is bad politics that de- feats the purpose for which we are taxed. We pay enough to have good schools, but we do not get them, be- cause the money is not spent for the general public good. We are taxed enough to have good government in all matters of common welfare, but we do not get it.
 Newtown is like a man who has beer wasting his substance in riotous living His farm is run down, and farming does not pay him. He cannot produce much anyway. He has no capita anc his credit is impaired. In fact debt stares him in the face. Taxes are l burden of course. He can barely sup ply the necessities of life to his despair | ing wife and neglected children
 Meanwhile his property is surely de
 Now what shall be done in such :; case to redeem and build up the man
 or the town? Clearly, we must stol
 wasting money and begin to spend i
 to good purpose. We must improv
 our condition, and increase the valu
 ation. People do not move out becaus
 they are taxed so much, but becaus
 they cannot get what they want, no
 even what they pay for. People g
 where they can get what they want
 and are willing to pay for it. Peopl
 will come into our town, and bu
 farms, and make homes, and increas
 the grand list, and so reduce the rate
 and pay the debt, and make improve mentS, and take away the social CUTS
 thataSits upon us, just so sure as W help ourselves by making good roads
 good schools; good government in ger eral; a free public library; and sue other modern convenienceS as ar now common in every civilized con munity.
 Just at this time the citizens of thi town have a rare opportunity to d themselves good, at a very little el pense $500 at most, per year,; b adopting the Newtown Library Ass' citation library and making it free, an , open to all the inhabitants of th town. The plant has already bee provided for us, complete, and withou any public expense. We have only accept it, subject to the control of tf , corporation which holds it in tru! l for the use of the public. It it not luxury, but common necessity. Sha we be wise in this matter?
 5 Grand Master Leon M. Woodford { t the grand lodge of Connecticut, k. ar } A. M., has appointed Past Grand Ma 3 ter Arthur c. Wheeler of Norwal r Henry O. Warner of New Milford, ar r Frank w. Ravens of Hartford, as u ? Especial committee on the division