The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-02-18
new TAX
BILL Is
DISCUSSED.

TODAY upon the rising OF the senate.
n hearing was given by the senate COM
mittee on corporations on an act IN
amendment OF sections one and two OF
chapter % OF the general laws "ot the
Revenues of the State"
The act provided for tax OF 10 cents
ON each 500 OF the ratable revenue OF the
several cities and towns. one half 10 De
assessed, collected and paid TO the gen
eral treasurer on OF before the lotn Gay
OF June and one-half on or before the
18th day OF December in each year.
Gov Garvin said he thought a change
should be made In the valuation, but ne
considered the proposition In the bill an
unfair one on account OF the dinerent
rates OF .axation In vogue In the various
towns and cities. He said the Inequality
which at the present time were IN exist
ence at the present time WIN De IN
creased, owing TO the competition pc
tween the different towns TO keep up the
valuation as well as TO keep the rates
down.
Joseph Mcdonald also considered the
measure outside OF the pale OF fairness
and termed IL an "unscientnc way OF
getting the revenue of tho state
He said that there were three towns
In the state which were not self support
ing. but took out more money that they
| paid into the treasury OF the state lie
said this was outrageous and that ne
| objected TO men representing 80 small
a proposition of the wealth and people OF
| the state In their constituencies imposing
such a burden upon the people who
would be adversely affected by the act.
1 Governor Garvin asked II the act would
| not have the effect 10 cause the assess
ors OF the towns to keep the valuations
down In order TO escape another possibis
revision. He was informed IL might have
that tendency but that was greater ir
theory than In practice.
Senator Horton also spoke on the bill
saying he thought the adoption Of this
bin would be a source OF delay In getting
at some system OF taxation whereby the
burden OF taxation would be borne from
the big corporations which derived theil
vast incomes from the people Of th'
state.
Mr.. Thurston said that there SHOULD
be state board of assessors In orde
| TO preclude the assessors OF the towns
from fixing the state tax or affecting II
Mr.. Banigan was also opposed to tn
method OF raising taxes, which b
| lnoubut was uIJusl hDu i1tlulbhpic dn'
thought a commission should be ap
pointed to consider some method Of fxinI
the taxes In n fair manner.
He thought the indebtedness Of tn
towns or cities should be taken into con
sideration In the matter OF tax assess
ments and that the state should not rel
altogether on the local boards OF assess
ors when fixing state taxes.
Mr.. OConnor thought sufficient OBJ
lection TO the bill had been raised b.
disinterested people to justify the com
mittee in delaying action on the matter
He thought an adjournment OF tn
hearing In order to give the city solicito
OF Providence an opportunity to appea
before the committee II he was so in
structed by the city council.
Mr. Banigan also asked a continuance
saying he understood that the mayor @
Pawtucket, who was sick at this tim,
wished TO be heard on the matter.
II was voted at 1:40 o'clock that tn
hearing be adjourned until next Tuesda
at the rising OF the senate.