Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-04-02
TAX REFORM IN VERMONT.

| 1t Is evident from the declaration OF
principles announced by Lieut.. Gov.
George II. Prouty in connection with
his candidacy for the governorship in
Guiding a demand for c remedy for
thu non-taxation OF persons of con-
| siderable wealth as we'll as suisse
quent announcement IN relation to the
| results Of the work of the commission
on taxation appointed by Governor
Proctor. that the question Of tax re-
form is likely to figure prominently
in the coming gubernatorial campaig
as well as in the next session of the
Legislature. The commission is TO
make report to Governor Proctor,
and 1t will remain for the States law
makers next fall to endeavor to in
stitute tax reforms in the light of all
developments.
The tax commission which has been
in session at Montpelier this week has
not completed Its work. but the Jour
nal says that while the report to be
handed to Governor Proctor Is not yet
| in shape and Will not be given out to
the State press until after 1t reaches
the Governor, 1t is understood that
the data which has been accumulated
will logically result In the following
Recommendations:
! First-The entire abolition of the
vicious system of offset. This, in the
opinion of every unprecedented student
Of Vermont tax conditions is the most
serious evil that besets the whole
| problem. With offset abolished, tax
alton would speedily be re-adjusted,
grand lists would become more healthy
and large amount Of property that
now escapes taxation would be reached.
Second-The honest taxation Of all
visible property. real ana personal,
the owner paying on his equity and
the mortgageholder paying on the
mortgage where II Is recorded. There
can be no defense OF double taxation
and examples of property being
taxed for It's total value and also on
the mortgage, while not as common as
has been supposed, do exist and are a
definite evil that ought to be rem
cdicd, Tho Journal believes that the
commission will recommend the taxa
tion of merely the equity and encum-
brance on real estate.
Third-The enactment Of stringent
laws for the government of listers
The Investigations of the commission
have disclosed the most Incredible con-
ditions in every county of the State
only very small proportion of the
lists examined were made out accord
ing to law. Many of them were not
sworn to. Hundreds OF them failed
to show the necessary items to form
any estimate of tho taxpayers really
taxable property This. too, Is beside
the frequent neglect of duty shown
by imperfect and absurd apTaisals
all of which tend to complicate anc
embarrass the careful study and rem
edy of taxation conditions.
1t will be impossible. Of course, tc
discuss the recommendations of thu
tax commission intelligently unit
they are printed in full so the publ,
can see exactly the ground covered
and understand their entire purport
IL a general way, however. one cal
readily see that the abolition of tn.
offset would render 1t impossible fo
taxpayers to contract indebtedness
about April ! and discharge the sam,
after tax inventories are completed OF
resort to other subterfuges in con,
nection with the offset system in or
der to dodge taxation.
There is no good reason why pool
man who buys a farm should pay tn,
entire tax on its value and the holder
Of the security for what is void by tn,
purchaser escape without bearing hi.
share of the burden OF taxation as Il