The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1907-09-19
TAX DISCUSSIONS
Farmers Have a Parliament On
0hi0's Tax Laws.

vinced that Ohio's taxation system is
wrong. At the last meeting of the
State Tax Commission, the agricultur-
lists appeared before that body to urge
reforms. After the prepared addresses
were delivered and which have been
published in these columns, those
present entered into animated discus
sion of the subject.
Il have listened all the afternoon"
said G. M. Freeman, Tippecanoe City,
Secretary National Grange, and have
not changed my mind bit. do not
believe we are state of perjurers.
believe We are honest and that our
government is not a failure. would
never put my hand to document that
says We have found state of per-
jury and are going to legalize it,"
DR.. w. l. Chamberlain, editor Of the
Ohio Farmer, replied, I'VE have
failed for SO years to tax intangible
property. II seems to me that we
farmers could agree after this long
trial that the plan we thought would
work, but never has worked and
never will work as long as you try
to tax money at 100 per cent, and
OTTER property at 30 to 40 per cent
OF Its true value. We have fought 1t
out on this line for Sc winters and 66
summers, and we want change. We
want a wise commission that will ad-
just the details Of taxation, and shall
tax all tangible property once and
prevent double taxation. don't say
our government is failure, but
wouldn't II be we'll to change our base
and take new line Of attack"
Facts stop arguments" said Mr.. T.
A. Derthick. of Mantua, Master of
Ohio State Grange The entire coun-
ty Of Cuyahoga returned In 1905 s62,-
100000, while in the banks of Cleve-
land alone there was deposited about
$500. 100000. Mr.. Bradfute called atten-
tion to the fact that Prebie county
paid on larger personal duplicate
than Cuyahoga or Hamilton"
Mr.. G. p. Dyar, Marietta: Energy
and determination are good things,
but II we amend the constitution and
do not attempt to assess notes. mortg-
ages or any stock we would have
ample opportunity for all enthusiasm
and energy to ge1k fair valuation on
the tangible pro0kty of the state"
do you think it wise to legislate
into the constitution limitations to
the classification of various kinds II
property" asked Attorney General Ell
lis of DR.. Chamberlain.
DR.. Chamberlain: II do not think
we can legslate any more wisely for
the people 80 or 80 years hence than
our fathers did for u.s. Generally
speaking, do not believe IT wise to
legislate into the constitution"
Fl. p. Miller, Sunbury: Three bases
of taxation have been IN operation.
First. the theory that government ex-
lists for the protection Of pIoberty,
therefore the general property tax,
against which all are protesting today
and confessing its inefflciency after
an experience of 56 years
Second, that the government exists
for the individual, hence the poll tax
and the propositions fer income and
inheritence taxes. with AL helr costly
machinery for collection OF funds.
Third. natural wealth, the coal, iron
oil, gas In the earth, timber on the
land, the possibilities of the crops In
the earth. BY going directly to the
natural sources Of wealth the cumber
some machinery of collection is done
away with. All here this afternoon
have tried how to get more things on
the duplicate. would exactly reverse
that and reduce the subjects and take
those which are the natural sources OF
all our wealth. I would favor a non
partisan tax commission whose bust
ness II is to know the expenses for
the state. They know the amount ol
property by frequent appraisal and
needs. Remove the obstacles to scien
tific system of taxation, reduce the
cost of administering. not try to gel
intangibles for they will lie abou
them. Get the natural sources Of al
our wealth.
would favor more frequent ap
praisal. My farm lying near the towr
is more valuable than IL Ave miles
away An electric road would Increase
its value. This tract north Of the
statehouse was gotten by man b,
chance. The capital and the city were
built, not through his work, bu
chance. Society has increased the
value OF his land; he has no mora
right to all this unsarnsd increment
II belongs to those who made 1t valu
able. society. Let him return to societ,
something of the value II has made
in the shape of taxes.
kANaAa exEMpTR STAYQ AMI