, 1905-04-12
GOVERNOR STOKES
VIEWS ENDORSED
The State Federation of Agricul-
tural Associations has Sent
out the Following Cir
cular Letter to Farm
erS of New Jersey

n from year W yeaI' Ills -"
slant increase becomes more burden
some when considered in connection
with the decreased earnings of capital.
This, as is well known, runs from two
to a possible five per cent; while the
tax rate, varying in different sections
of the State, runs from II and one
half per cent. to five per cent, and
even higher. The taX absorbs the
earnings
1t will be seen that such a course
persisted i'm means death to industry.
And it is becoming a serious question
to persons of moderate means and hav-
ing but a small land in some cases no.
income from active labor, whether or
not they will be able to live under
such conditions.
True, money is being made by the
few in certain business enterprises, by
controlling output, by eliminating the
manufacturer or dealer . fsmall means,
and thus, for essential commodities in
daily demand, compelling the con-
m to pay the price demanded,
competition having been destroyed.
But such combinations promise no in
come to the masses.
In the methods of taxation, it is evil
dent there is a wide disparity in diff
ferent localities, as between country
and city; and the time has come, in
our opinion, when a concerted move
for improvement should be begun and
persisted in until reasonable and
equable valuations and just taxing
rates shall be established. The grow
ing fashionable demands for costly
public Improvements, so-called, must
be curbed, and a palmer but equally
substantial standard adopted.
What can we do to bring about
reform?
We suggest, first, that we endorse
the principle of a maximum rate of
taxation to be fixed by law for every
municipality in this State, as suggest
ed by His Honor, Governor Edward
G. Stokes; and, further, that we en-
deavor, in all suitable ways, to in
fuence legislation to cur the enact
ment of this principle.
We believe this would be a step in
the right direction, and for the reasons
expressed in the Governors message,
which we commend to your careful
consideration, especially that portion
entitled municipal Taxation"
We suggest, second, that you give
careful attention to the management
of your county affairs, believing that
the excessive burden of taxation to
farmers is largely due to increased ex-
p%enditures ordered by county officials,
which expenditures are seldom OPP
posed in their first stages by the
taxpayers.
Furthermore, we believe farmers do
not, as a rule, take enough active in
terest in purely State affairs. When a
new Governor is elected he delivers, at
the proper time. his inaugural address.
This outlines his views on State af-
fairs, needed legislation, etc., and calls
attention to the condition of State in
situations and their requirements.
While addressed primarily to the
Legislature, it is intended for all the
people.
Governor Stokes recites the various
humane, charitable and criminal in
stitutions in the State requiring State
aid for their support and the present
sources of State revenues.
One of these, which we have con-
sidered devoted entirely to the support
of our public schools, is the income
from riparian lands.
These lands, as the Governor saws,
are growing in value, and hence the
unwise policy of selling any portion OF
them, as has been done, thus cutting
off absolutely and forever one source OF
perpetual and increasing revenue.
With the number of State institu-
tons referred to requiring regular and
increasing annual support, and with
new ones proposed, with our system
of building and maintaining State
roads, and no prospect of new sources
of revenue, it is self-evident that our
State policy on all lines should be con-
sentative and economical, and SO
managed as to husband every resource
in order to avoid recurrence to a State
tax to support our State government.