The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1903-02-06
WHITTIER
Are We Drifting in the
Matter OF Taxes?
The Burden Has Become
So Heavy That 1t Will
Handicap Our
Progress.
Unless We Get Relief From
Some Source. Where Shall
We Begin to RetrenCh?
The Increase of Population Only
Brings an Increase of Burden.

1t is time the citizens of Bellefon-
taine were waking up to the matter
of taxation and expenses. The bur
den is already so great that no one
can afford to live here who has to de-
pend on an income from money. 1t
is so great that the business man has
to confront a rate of taxes and in
surance that is discouraging.
Counting the burden of improve
ments, many of us are paying SO mills
for taxes and . mills for insurance!
This makes over 6 per cent. a man
has to make before he can count on
a cent for ordinary expenses. To
many this is most discouragiug, and
the result must inevitably be that
will depreciate in value,
men who have capital will shun our
city, and citizens who have a fixed
and small income will have to leave
the city. This is not fanciful. These
are familiar facts.
If we would avoid these undesira-
BILE results, we must change the ex-
isting conditions. improvements are
but the burden may be
made too great, and by seeking to do
too much at once we may kill the
goose that lays the golden egg.
The large increase we have made
in population has largely increased
our burden. but it has not brought US
a proportionate relief. 1t has made
us build more school houses, hire
more teachers, buy more coal, expend
more on our streets, and increase our
taxes accordingly. But this burden
has not brought an influx of capital:
This places the burden on capital
and business. In thine this will be
equalized by an increase of wealth.
But at present it makes the tax rate
aIreal burden.
Under such circumstances does not
real good business sense demand that
we stop all extravaganza, throw off
all needless burdens, and institute all
reforms and retrenchment possible?
1t is not the rich alone who are
feeling the heavy taxes. Many of
those who feel it most are our poor,
who live on days wages, or are doing
a small business, or have small in
comes or small salaries. 1t is diff
cult for many of them to hold onto
their homes.
In the face of such conditions, we
should look about US to see where
there are chances for retrenchment,
and where improvements may safely
be postponed until we reduce our tax
rate.
First, we want to avoid the ex-
travagance, wastefulness and dishon-
esty that has squandered the peoples
money. Improvements have been
made and paid for in full where the
requirements of contracts have been
grossly neglected, and the peoples
money paid out for work that never
was done according to specifications.
Money has been paid out for improve
ments that never brought the results
promised. Money has been squan-
dered on the streets. Money has
been paid out of the treasury unlaw-
fully. and not only has no effort been
made to collect it. but city officials
have resolved not to make any at
tempt to recover it, thus placing a
premium on extravaganza and dis
honesty. Bad judgment has been
shown in expenditures and money
lost in consequence. 1t will not do tc
say that these things are to be expect
ed and cannot be prevented 1t is no,
true. We have arrived at a point
where we must either change fol
better or worse. We pass under 4
new form of government in the
Spring. 1t gives us more officers will
higher salaries, and will place us
deeper in the mire, unless our citi
zens awake to the Importance o.
the situation. and choose men whit
are honest, competent, and willing t.
serve the city for the city's good.
1t is not enough that a man is com
petent. it is not enough that he i
honest. 1t is not enough that he i
both, unless he is willing to serve tn
city's good.
| Many men will be running afte
you who want the places for thei
own benefit, regardless of the publ
good, who have had no experience
and who are not in any sense seekin
Office for the public good. Our cit
affairs will not warrant turning owe
its government to incompetent mel
Nor can we afford to elect any VIII
have in any way excused incompe
tency or dishonesty, or refused to ru
it down. To select such men would b
!. to invite mismanagement and CO.
> ruption.
!, There are men. who are capabl
and honest, and who have good bus
ness capacity, who do not seek, br
: would accept Office for limited tim
and serve the city's best interest