Smyrna times., 1907-10-30


a conservative estimate, make the total
yearly revenues of the State between
$50, 900 and $50, 900 more than they were
during recent years. Q0) Do you think
that the difference between this sum
and the $77, 900 liquor fees will leopard
ize our finances ? (11) To meet the
possible answer that the increased
revenue to which 1 have referred will
be needed even if the ST., 900 continues
to come into the treasury, I would ask
whether you do not believe that this
$77,OO can be saved by the use of
proper economy in our State govern
ment and the absence of unwise aud
unnecessary Legislative appropriations?
(12) Have you not in the past urged
that in this way our revenues as they
existed prior to the last Legislature,
would be sufficient? (3) If such were
the case when the Legislature had not
provided for the $4,000 or $50, 900
which will now come in each year,
what terrible menace should there be
in the loss of a sum very little greater
than that which was added to our reve-
nues the first of this year
Fourth-QD If, however, am mis-.
taken in thinking that you had form
erly taken the position that economy
and not new taxation was the solution
OF our financial problem, [ would ask
If you do not believe that any deficit
could be made up by an inheritance
tax so laid as to bear only upon the
wealthy and so imposed as to be no real
burden even upon them? 05) Am [
not right in believing that economists
are practically unit in recommending
such tax? (16) Have not the fore
most nations of Europe found it the
most equitable of all kinds of taxation?
(ID Have not a number of our own
States concluded it to be the wisest of
tax legislation? You will pardon me
if [ state that do not think YOU have
any right to ask the opponents to H.
cense to specify the particular kind of
taxation which might be resorted to in
the supposed event of deficit in our
treasury. Such a matter is for our
Legislatures only, and if laymen sug
gest possible subject of taxation little
will be accomplished except to rallv
those interested in such subjects to
oppose at the special election the side
with which the prOpounders affiliate.
not because of any conviction on the
question to be determined, but through
a desire to prevent what they consider
the beginning of an attack upon their
rights. l have, therefore, merely sug-
gested the inheritance tax as possible
solution of dilemma which lido not
believe will actually exist. In your
editorial you intimated if the election
should go against license there might
be return to the old real estate tax.
(1S) l now ask you if you really believe
that any Legislature will enact such a
tax law?. q9) further ask you if you
would!advocate real estate tax in per.
ference to an inheritance tax should any
new tax be necessary?
Fifth-You dispose of the argument
that the abolition of the licensing of
the manufacturer and sale of intoxica-
ting liquors in Delaware will materially
diminish governmental expenses bv
reason of the consequent decrease in
crime and of pauperism, by stating that
this is purely speculative and that the
experience of other States lends little
support to such belief. You have in
the recent past frequently alluded TO
the striking increase in che number of
crimes committed in Delaware. I ven.
ture the assertion that the cause of
this deplorable fact is the manufacture
and sale of liquor within our borders.
II you will turn to the records OF the
reports OF the Trustees of the Poor and
grand juries in this State, you will
find that these officers or bodies have
on several occasions declared that that
crinninality and pauperism investiga-
| w. " bAOAA wac NuC III u RE6HI meas
ure to the cause L have stated. It is
quite possible that the attorney-ge gen.
eral with his years of experience in the
office both as deputy and chief may be
able to give you some information on
this subject. (20) Do not the records
of the alderman or municipal magis-
trates of the towns in Delaware prove
that drunkenness and disorderly CON
duct from drunkenness constitute the
! main cause of breaches of the peace
within their boundaries, and from {
burden to the local taxpayers?
Sixth-where are those who seem tc
, believe that all who are opposed to
q license are national probibltionists and
. fanatics. (2D Do you believe that 4
is this class of voters who have carried
. the election in the southern States