The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1907-11-14

Taxation to BE Theme Of Discus.
slon--stories Of Politics and PoIIti.
clans.
Columbus, - Especially = The next
year will give Ohio another taste Of
annual sessions" Of the legislature.
II was not so long ago that the state
legislature met regularly. Recently
biennial SESSIONS have been the rule
There will be session In 1908 and
another In 1909. because Of the recent
separation OF state and local elec-
tions. The legislature that met two
years ago will meet again this coming
winter--that is, the personnel will be
the same ~
It is likely that the subject Of taxa.
ton will be one of the leading matters
under discussion, both at the 1908 Sos
sion and 1909. The legislature will be
asked to allow the people to vote upon
an amendment to the constitution
which will permit of the classification
Of property for taxation. OF course.
that will be thoroughly threshed out
this winter and then. II IT is submit
ted and adopted. the next legislature
will enact laws under the amendment.
Taxation, Of course. is simply mat.
ter OF getting revenues to pay the ex-
penses Of townships, cities, counties
and state. And It is the revenue"
proposition that will prove a stumb-
ling block. Just now there is no call
for increased revenues. merely a re-
adjustment Of affairs, more equit--
able plan OF assessment and collection.
The state treasury now has big cash
balance--bpt the legislators can put q
hole in that in hurry II they are per.
mitted to do SO.
Governor Harris and the other state
officers are already worried about that
balance. Cash on hand invites q raid
on the treasury, and to protect that bal
ance will give the state officers plenty
to do this winter. Almost every men,
ber Of the legislature has some scheme
that will require the expenditure OF
money or the lessening Of revenues.
Many want new state institutions; oth-
ers want additional state departments:
some want taxes reduced and others
propose bills which will make< such
changes in the existing order Of things
that the taxpayers will quickly feel
the effects. t.t 4
The governor is worried about the
finances of the state. At the legisla-
tive reunion he discussed this feature
OF his administrative cares. He talked
of expenses. proposed demands and
cutting down revenues and he said
that he did not see how revenues
could be reduced with the state
pledged to policies that will require
more money than is spent even now.
Taking the governors remarks a. a
cue. state officers have been looking
into the future. Many Of them pro
fess to see danger. In a county local
option bill. According to the reports
from Auditor OF State Guilbert's once,
something like nine million dollars are,
collected annually from the saloon in.
terests Of the state. OF this sum, two
million goes direct to the state and
the remainder to the counties and
cities. f
II is suggested that II a county local
option bill should be enacted into
law a large number of the counties
would vote dry with the result that
the states revenues would be serious.
ly affected OF course. II the revenues
were reduced by the passage OF a coun-
ty local option.law. the money for the
maintenance of municipalities and
state would have to come from some
other source. Expenditures would not
be decreased. Nay! Never in the his
tory OF any commonwealth have ex.
penses been cut down because reve-
nues were less, but they are always In
creased with rising revenue!
Somebody who now nays heavy taxes
would have to pay mofe. Mr.. r. w.
Firestone. a banker. who appeared be.
fore the State Tax Commission. told
Of a rise In the tar rate OF the city Of
Wellsville, Ohio. He said: "rhe rate
I cite In wellsville, 4.s. is the rate for
the coming year. Some people might
make capital out OF It II they knew
that ITO Of per cent. had been added
since the town went dry" BY the
some people" Banker. Flrestone of
course referred to the opponents of
county local option bill.
It Aooks a. IL the legislature will be
sure to adopt resolution authorizing
the submission to the voters Of 4 prop.
osition to amend the constitution 80 a.
to permit Of the classification OF prop.
erty for taxation. The Tax Commis-
sion. : body appointed BY the COVER.
+ htitltH te&1 q s.' tsAa