The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1904-09-09
Maple River Farmers Club.
Delayed from last week.

a holiday appearance, IL being the place
of meeting for the Maple RIVER Farmers
club. In addition to the members OF
the club there were many invited guests,
and the occasion was most delightfully."-
spent by all. Farmer Zach" and his
good wife and daughters are the embodi-
ment OF genial hospitality. glad to well
come the coming and speed the parting
guest. a,
In the absence OF the president, Vice
President John Bilhimer presided. An
Instrumental solo by Miss Vera Rich-'
ardson was followed by the devotional
exercises conducted by Rev. Woodlands,
after which the minutes were read and
roll called by the secretary, Mrs. Elmer
Waugh. A recitation by Miss Carroll
Chandler, with piano accompaniment,
was very pleasing.
The association topic was, us the
State Tax Commission Accomplishing
the Purpose for which it was Created?"
e. j. Cook, who was to introduce the
subject, not having arrived, z. b.
Reynolds was called upon, and remark
ed that he was aware many were giving
the subject serious thought. and some
felt the good that was desired was not
being accomplished. He reminded the
club that the question of equal taxation
had been discussed for years, and finally
bill was enacted and commission APP
pointed. Some criticise because the
work has not been done as they think
it should have been. The speaker does
not like all the methods of the commits
sion. Their men come and inquire the
price of your farm. Some of our farms
are not for sale, and we would, there
fore, put high price on them. Had
these men gone to the register of deeds
office and got the price actually paid
for property that had changed hands,
then inspected the property in question,
q fairly good idea could have been Sc
cured of the cash value of farm lands.
Tax in the townships should be equal
lied, and hidden property found and
taxed.
S. S. Miner reviewed the passage of
the act creating the tax commission.
The theory is good, he said. that the
rich mans dollar should be taxed the
same as the poor mans. The commits
sion was composed of untried men, the
experience was new, they were beset
with difficulties that seemed almost in
surmountable. They haYe made mis-
takes, and perfection can only be gained
by experience. Theories have been adj
vanced, but there exists some difference
of opinion. We should realize the diff
culties under which FIVE men labor in
attempting to adjust the tax of all the
property of the state. 1t is a great UNI
dertaking, and time and patience are re-
quired.
+. j. Cook having arrived, then adj
dressed the club on the subject. He
said: st is the policy or plan in our
state that the burden of government
shall be borne by individuals owning
property, in just proportion to the
amount owned by each, and our state
constitution declares that all property,
not otherwise exempt, shall be assessed
at its cash value for this purpose. This
is just and right, and il carried out
would produce equal taxation, and all
our statutory enactments are to this
end, and every assessing officer takes
solemn oath before God and man that
he will support the constitution of the
state and perform the duties of the
office to the best of his ability, with the
full intention of keeping his consti-
tuants assessments as low as he possibly
can. This has been the case as long as
/ can remember. Real good, true men
have felt justified in lodging taxes, for
everybody else was lodging what they
could for self protection. Supervisors
Wed with each other and schemed to
their utmost to keep their assessment DIS
low as possible.
The question before us: Is the COM
accomplishing the objects fer
which it was created? Act 154 OF Pub
lie Acts of 1899 defines their duties as
follows: To exercise supervision over
aud assessing officers of the
state, confer and advise with them, re-
ceive and consider complaints, visit
each county each year, require reports,
ascertain valuations of corporations. etc.
Now what have they done? Have
they exercised supervision over the
Yes. The cry shows it.
1t is said: 1t disturbs local management.
The supervisor is better fitted to do the
Have they endeavored to raise as
sessments to their cash value? Yes.
The cry shows it. My property would
not sell for what 1t Is assessed. But as
sessments in this county have been
raised 80 per cent, and we must confess
valuations are not yet too high.
Have they visited the county? Yes
And then criticised because they did
not stay longer. How long should they