The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1905-01-06
Warmers FIRST Message.
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attention was directed 10 the fact that
the appropriations for some of our
state institutions and state ,ommis
sions have been included in what Is
known as a general purpose tax, the
items OF which were probably not fully
considered 10y the legislative appropria'
ton committee. II would he best to
have the general purpose bill include
only such lines OF expenditures as
could not we'll he definitely provided
for through legislative action. Ii Is
best TO have thorough consideration
given To every proposed expenditure,
and. inasmuch as including some ex-
penditures under n general heading
prevents consideration OF each item.
/ would urge that every board and
institution be placed i'm the list of APP
preparations requiring special action
and a definite appropriation.
Our economy should not proceed to
the extent OF penuriousness, but as rep
resentatives of the people we must
keep i'm mind our promises. made I'm
good faith, that we should conduct
the affairs OF this state along con
sentative business lines. We must and
should act i'm accordance with what we
know TO be an existing desire i'm the
directions which | have suggested. As
representatives of the people you are
bound TO be able to Justify and ex-
plain every item Of expenditure passed
upon by you.
State Taxation.
After many years Of strenuous con-
flict. in which every phase of the ques-
ton of taxation was discussed, it was
decided. and popularity decided, that
this great problem should be worked
out through state tax commission
The labors of several years and the eX-
penditure of q large amount of money
have followed, and yet the work of
the commission is far from being COM
plete. 1t would be unwiSe at this
time TO abandon a work so well adj
vanced and yet so far from compile
ton More time and more money
would be required to institute a new
system. with no certainty of better re-
suits. | do believe. however that the
expense Of the present system should
be greatly reduced and that this could
be best brought about and better re
suits obtained by the reduction or the
number of commissioners from five TO
three. Business experience has shown
everywhere that whenever the best
practical results are to he obtained,
with the utmost promptness OF ACTON
a responsible board OF three members
can accomplish more than any greater
number. At the present time the local
assessments of about one-halt OF the
counties Of the state have been
Systematically reviewed by the present
commission. It is absolutely necessary
that this work he completed for the en-
tire state before the next meeting OF
tho state board Of equalization, if that
board is to derive such practical bene-
fit from the work Of the commission
as the people have a right to expect.
Curtailment of Powers.
recommend that the powers Of the
tax commission he curtailed i'm some
respects. With the fixing OF the ag-
gregate assessment Of the realty of the
township or other legal subdivision. the
work of the commission should cease
and the spreading Of that assessment
over the township or other legal sub
division should be done by the local
assessing officer. 1t is impossible for
any commission or it's employees sat
isfactorily to examine every piece Of
realty i'm the state. and again. any at
tempt To make specific assessments or
TO raise or lower on a percentage or
other basis the property Of a township
or other legal subdivision. must of
necessity be ineXact and unjust
Numerous instances Of the injustice Of
this method of procedure are TO he
cited i'm the work Of the commission
in the rural districts Of this state dur
ing the past year.
Railroad Taxation.
The taxes assessed by the State Of
Michigan upon the railroads of the
state. for the last seven years, as
shown by the records in the auditor
generals office. are as follows:
1898 ........ .........S SI9,521 30
1900. $50. ............. 1910. 1927
1901 .................... 1.35G. S57 9G
1000 ...... .............. 1.4S3. 9O6 %
1903 ................ 3.2SS. 1871 0G
1901. 49,. .............. 1856, 1912
II railroads, contending that the
taxes for 1903 and 1904 are grossly eX-
cessive. have begun injunction pro
ceedings i'm the federal courts to re-
strain the state from collecting them
In these matters the state is repre-
scented by able counsel and by experts
in railroad engineering and accounting;
and every means will be taken to
maintain the position Of the state au-
thorities acting under the laws. If the
contention Of the state shall he upheld