The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1908-08-06
FARMERS IN MANY STATES
WANT RELIEF FROM uN-
PAIR TAXATION.

Constitutional amendments are be-
ing given thorough attention by farm.
ers OF the country. In Ohio. Hon. F.
A. Der,hick. master OF the State
Grange. in discussing a proposition 10
permit OF classification Of the sources
OF tax revenue. said
There Is common ground upon
which we can all stand We must
have in increasing amount OF revenue.
and that means a more just return Of
the property In the state. Where Is
the injustice OF laying a reasonable
tax on the deposits reported by the
banks Of the state. the same TO be
charged TO depositors? True. not all
depositors are residents OF Ohio. but
they enjoy the protection OF our laws
and In large measure draw their In
terest from our people.
This could. at least. be done with
resident depositors and they would
be relieved from the temptation to
commit the crime OF perjury"
The kentucky Grange.
The Kentucky state Grange had this
same subject before Il at the meeting
held In Frankfort October 2i to 20.
1907. Mr.. r. p wolcott. Master Of
the State Grange. discussed the ques-
ton in a very interesting manner. as
follows:
"The order has been most active
In behalf OF the Just regulation OF
taxation. recognizing that the farmer
is losing more from our present sys.
TEN and has more 20 gain from the
establishment OF a Just and equitable
system OF taxation than has any 9th.
er class OF citizens The order in rep.
resenting the agricultural class, al.
ways endeavors 10 be fair and hon.
orable with all other interests, and
has the right TO demand like treat.
ment In return. In nearly every state
in the Union the cry has been loud
against unjust revenue laws. and
steps are being taken TO remedy the
evils.
Various State Oranges have, By
their action. declared II wrong TO Veg
islate into the organic laws OF state
any provision which shall exempt
from taxation property aggregating
vast sums. in the possession OF the
wealthy. and often kept by them in.
visible. thus leaving the small hold
ings OF the masses OF people OF mod.
crate means TO bear the burden Of
doubled taxation.
"The present constitution OF Ken
lucky binds us TO the general prop.
erty tax--that Is, 20 the system OF
levying the same tax upon all classes
OF property for all purposes. There
should be an amendment to our con
stitution which will allow the iegisia-
ture to separate the sources OF reve-
nue-that is, 10 raise the state reve-
nue. from certain classes OF property,
leaving other classes of property to
be taxed for local purposes only.
1T has been argued by some that
this would throw too much power into
the hands OF the legislature. Should
such an amendment prevail. then
would It devolve upon the voters OF
the state TO pay stricter attention TO
the selection OF their representatives
than has obtained in the past In both
city and country.
"The Kentucky State Development
association and other organizations
have honored the Grange by placing
upon its Joint committee on taxation.
a member of this order as represen.
tative OF the agricultural interests OF
the state, and II is important that the
views and demands of the farmers be
clearly defined at this state session
II is recommended that this body
promptly and emphatically take ac-
ton in favor OF Just and equitable
revenue laws, and for the establish.
ment of an official tax commission. 70
be composed OF five members-four
representing respectively the great
industries. agriculture. manufacturing,
mining and commerce. and a fifth
member. noted for the highest integ.
rity aud for superior legal ability.