The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-05-22
TAXATION
REFORMS
-
Sought by State Board of
Commerce.
-
MASS MEETING HELD
AT the Commercial Club
Thursday Evening,
a.. h.-
Organization Is Effected and vigor-
ous Campaign will be Made In
Marion County.

For the purpose OF interesting the
voters of Marion county in the pro-
posed tax amendment to the consti-
tuition of the State OF Ohio, which
will be voted on at the November
election, there was held at the Com
merciaIl club last night an enthus-
iastic meeting of about sixty men.
An organization was effected to work
In this city and II Is the plan OF the
committee in charge of the work
here 10 extend the work here to ex-
tend the work throughout the county.
The meeting was held under the di-
|rection of G. H. Booth. OF Columbus.
representing the Ohio State Board OF
Commerce, of Columbus. which Is In
terested in having the proposed tax
amendment favorably received by
the voters of Ohio.
II Is the purpose OF the tax amend
ment to provide way for the prop
er valuation OF all property both
real and personal on the tax dupll-
cate and to thereby lessen the taxes
which are now too high throughout
Tthe state. The farmer and the city
man who owns real estate Is paying
seventy-five per cent. of the taxes
while the man holding the various
securit es is able TO hide It and does
not pay taxes. The high rate OF tax.
alton drives out Industries and drives
out people. 1t makes perjurerS OF
honest men, Is the claim of those be-
hind the present movement.
The meeting was called to order by
j. F. Prendergast, who made short
address. On motion Of Mr.. Prender-
gast. George B. Christian, Sr., was
made chairman Of the meeting Mr..
lChristian talked over the situation In
this city and county at some length
He claimed that at least s800.00t
worth Of property had been driver
lout OF Marion county by the higf
,rate OF taxation, the rate at presen
being thirty-nine mills, almost fou
percent. II Is absolutely impossible
for man with his money invested
~ hs W cdih nNt vi DIN P'i pcht
to pay the legal rate of taxation
according to the speaker.
Mr.. Christian introduced G.. II
Booth, the principal speaker OF th'
evening. Mr.. Booth said that tn
proposed amendment vas prepared
to give the legislature power TO maxi
laws TO get the property returned 70
taxation. He claimed that the pres
lent tax laws are obsolete. They wer
satisfactory at the time they wer
passed which was in 1851. but noy
they are harmful because they MAX
the burden of the taxes unequal.
"The poor man who has all OF hi
savings in a small property" sal
1.-THE speaker makes his return an
pays his proportion OF the taxes
while the rich man has 50 much tha
,he can hide a large part OF hi
property. He can claim a residenc
In another state and only his rec
estate here can be taxed.
at is easy enough to tax none!
notes, mortgages and other inves
Iments of like nature but the II
tangible property is what gets ava,
Some means or method OF preven
ing this Is what is needed. A Ia
of even one per cent. on all OF tn
{ property would alleviate condition
' to great extent.
, Another thing that Is badly nee
: ed Is some means OF equalizing Il
r valuation of real estate which flu
]. ltuate considerably. At the prese