Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-05-07

would probably be willing to pay the
! Indebtedness of the county if il stop-
ped at that. But if they give us this
additional revenue they have no as
surance that this board may not do
some fool trick again, and be just
where ii is now when the tax runs
out He advocated a S mill tax for
| five years.
Supervisor Gould was of about the
same opinion. He argued that cit is
up TO the present board TO make up
Tor some of the shortcomings of pre-
yious boards
After general discussion, the board
reassembled in formal session, and Su-
pervsOr Wright moved that an order
be prepared, 10 submit the proposition
for a mill tax for 10 years. Super
visor Matthews offered a substitute,
that the matter of taxing the capital
stock of corporations be taken up, and
that no additional tax levy be made.
This was referred to the board of re-
view.
met this afternoon, submitted a propo-
sition 10 submit the mill tax for six
years, and this carried by vote of
20 to 2. Supervisors Matthews and
Eastman opposing it. The finance com
mittee submitted the formal resolution
to place the proposition on the ballot.
Supervisor Eastman proposed a >
mill tax, all TO apply on the debt, but
he received no second TO his motion.
A. to Corporations.
Supervisor Matthews proposition
relative to corporations is in the words
of the final clause of the resolution.
as follows:
Therefore, Be it Resolved, That. in
stead of increasing or attempting to
increase the rate of taxation, this coun-
ty board take such action as is neces-
sary to assess the omitted credits and
capital stock OF all corporations, and
80 equaiZe the assessment and taxa
lion OF all property i'll Rock Island
county as will furnish revenue for the
proper management of this county"
Harry NJ. McCaskrin asked permits.
ion to address the board on the prop
osition of Supervisor Matthews, and
urged that the board authorize some
person or committee TO take up the
matter with the board of review.
Representative Thomas Campbell
addressed the board relative to the
new law, and also on the subject of
tho Hill pf u anracnntati,,a NN-I,o,l,p 1,
signed 10 make the Rock river bridges
free, and turn them over TO the county.
On the Right Track.
1t is understood that the calling nf
today's meeting so soon after the ad-
jouInment of the April meeting was
lue TO The action of Supervisor Upton
Of Bowling. Mr.. Upton is chairman
of the finance committee. Following
the custom that has prevailed for
years of keeping references to the
| county's floating debt out of the min.
utes of the meetings as far as possible
the old finance committee pass
ed II up 10 the chairman of the
new finance committee to make the
| usual arrangements for extending the
county'S credit at the banks. When
II came time for MIR. Upton to sign
the papers. however. he is said to have
baked, declining 10 assume such re-
| SponSibi.ity unless formally instructed
to do so by the board Mr.. Upton took
| the position that, should he follow the
old custom the board might at any
| time disClaim responsibility and shift
the burden upon the finance committee
or its chairman. This floating debt
has been the bane of the county board
for years. The illegitimate result OF
the folly of other years it has contin-
Ted to grow by what it has fed upon
till now when the board meets IT
seems to stand. like a haunting spirit
at every turn in the court house adm
to even follow the members home and
disturb their slumbers.
The supervisors. in their human
trailty. have tried to simply ignore it
and for years have turned it over en-
irely to the charge of the finance
committee, where it could be dealt
with informally, so to speak.
Now, through the stand of Super
visor Upton. it is to be brought IN
der the spotlight of the regular meet
ing.