Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-03-14
TAX THE BACHELORS
Decision Was Made Last Night
In X. OF c. Hall.


tween the members of Court Meow
ney and Barcelona council on the
subject, Resolved, That bachelors
should be taxed" was held last even
ing in X. of c. hall, before large
and interested audience that was
most generous in applause as the de-
baters scored their points, some OF
which caused much merriment. The
work which was scholarly was care
fully prepared and well rendered.
but the affirmative side taken by
Court Mckinney having presented
the most convincing arguments, was
awarded the decision by the judges.
Those who took part were Miss Mar
garet Dillon, Miss Martha Corr and
Miss Mary Coyle for the negative;
William Ryan, Thomas Mccain and
John JOY; the judges, Miss Rose
Clarkin, Miss Mary Neary and d. Fl.
Tierney. After the debate Rev
Father Sullivan. chaplain of the
court, Rev Father Broderick, chap
lain Of Mulcahy council, and Rev DR.
Martin, chaplain of Barcelona coun-
Gil, spoke most interestingly and en-
couragingly to both daughters and
knights. Short addresses were also
made by Mrs John Grady, a state
officer from Winsted, and Miss Mary
Neary from Naugatuck and Jonn
Ahearn, D. d. of the K. of G. Mrs
William McNellis and Mrs M. j. Mag
ner pleased all with their musical
selections, after which William Shan
nahan entertained with humorous
reading. Refreshments were served,
after which all voted it very pleas
ant and instructive evenings enter,
tainment.
The full text of the measure do
bated is as follows:
BE 1t enacted, That all single
men, residents Of the state of Con-
necticut, between the ages of rs and
SO years Of age, shall be subject to
tax Of $50 per year, to be paid in
quarterly installments of $3.50, s.x-
cepting those exempt from such tax
as hereinafter provided.
THAT this tax shall begin at the
age Of 25 and cease at the age Of so.
THAT this tax shall be assessed by
board of assessors, composed Of
three men in each city and town of
the state, to be appointed according
to the charters of the different cities
and townships therein.
THAT this tax shall be devoted in
part to the regular revenues Of the
said cities and towns-in the propor-
ton of $40 per capita per year for
this purpose.
THAT the balance of $40 per CAPT.
ia per year shall be used to estab-
ish bachelor fund. which shall ac-
cumulate from year to year, and
shall be payable back to each tax
payer upon filing with the board Of
assessors proof of his marriage in
the form of legal marriage certifi-
cate.
That the exemptions to the oper-
alton of this tax shall be:
First, those who already have the
burden of a home, of those for whom
they are legally or morally responsi.
BILE and that they are actually fur
nishing such support.
Second, those who are sickly or
infirm and are, therefore, unable to
support home and its expenses.
Third, those who are devoting
their lives entirely to charitable or
religious occupation.
"All of which exemptions shall be
within the discretion of the board OF
assessors to decide upon the liability
of the bachelor.
ANY taxpayer under this law
may, at the age of so, receive the
use of his fund for maintenance at
the discretion Of the said board, and
thus insure him against becoming
dependent.
OF course the bill Is subject to re-
vision and no doubt 1t will be
changed somewhat before 1t becomes
a law. II is not at all likely that
those who have the matter in hand
will be satisfied to leave the assess
ing of the tax in charge of COM
mittee Of three men. The women
should be represented on that board.
and IL 1t be the intention to have
offenders toe the mark 1t would
be first rate plan to have the COM
mittee composed Of two women and
one man, the minority representa-
ton being there just to tell what
happened the jokers who tried to