The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-04-15
Yes. as to Tax Reform.


The patronizing tone in which the
Rutland Herald and Bennington Ban
ner discusses tax reform, in articles
published in another column, is per-
haps calculated by the able contem-
poraries to be final. 1t is possible
however, that the News may be for
given if it offers a few suggestions.
II is true that there is a reason for
a feeling of discouragement in taxa
ton reform. In the first instance,
however it comes from a different
source, as il seems TO the News, than
is set forth in. the articles of the con-
temporaries. During the two years
previous to the assembling of the last
legislature there was considerable
discussion OF the wrongs of double
taxation and some hope was enter
tanned that a practical attempt would
be made to adjust the matter TO some
extent on mortgaged real esate.
Instead of such ain effort, a majority
of those who aspired to prominence
in the general assembly set themsel-
yes to the task of further extending
unjust taxation by attempting to abol-
ish the Offset privileges on personal
property and so strenuous was the
pace that no compromise that might
have worked to lasting advantage in
the beginning of tax reforms was ac-
cepted.
The humble efforts OF the News in
opposing the adjustment Of Offsets
has been prompted solely on the
ground that the proposition of COM
polling a person in any line of bust
ness to pay taxes upon what he does
not own was at radical variance with
the fundamental principles of taxation
and further, that such a course was
calculated to do serious injury to the
prosperity of the state at large.
In all the discussion by the adyo-
Gates of the adjustment of offsets the
News has failed to note that this pro
position has been denied The News
has conceded that the privilege of off
sets like many other laws, has been
abused. which is the chief claim for
the proposed adjustment II has
seemed to the News, however, that
a faithful attempt, at least, should be
made to get directly at the dishonest
taxpayer through a reasonably rigid
enforcement of the present law, with
a number of amendments such as were
proposed in the original Bacon bill.
In the possible failure general to
reach the few men who escape pay
ing fair share of taxes" in every
community, it might be necessary to
abolish in part or in whole the Offset
privileges but the honest debt ow-
ing individual certainly ought not 10
be penalized because of the dishonest
property owner, except as last re-
sort. The News believes that this re-
presents the view of a large majority
of the honest taxpayers of Vermont
While doubling the wisdom of their
Judgment in the matter the News has
never questioned the honesty of those
advocating the adjustment of offsets.
1t is true, however, that there is am
pie opportunity for selfishness to en-
ter into the consideration of the ques-
tion on both sides. Mr. DeBoer's po-
sition as an advocate OF the
abolition of the offset is referred
to by the Banner. The views of
such men as ex-State Treasurer
Bacon and Senator Cory who opposed
Mr. DeBoer in this matter are EMIT
led to equal weight at least. Certain
ly they are not considered back
woodsmen."
The Herald, by the way, should be
a little more explicit in its statement
on the action of the Washington coun-
ty listers. if it does not wish to lay
itself open to an even more serious
charge than that of intolerance. AS
a matter of fact on the question of
abolishing the offsets on debts owing
in the state. of the SO listers present
10 favored it and voted against ii.
while 10 did not vote. On the abolish
ment of the offsets outside the state,
those who voted favored the meas
ure. Perhaps the Herald will make
this correction.
With all distinguished consideration
to the Rutland and Bennington neigh
boris, 1t does seem to the News that
this important question of taxation
can be discussed with prospects OF
better results. if a spirit of tolerance
towards those of different views is
maintained. If the contemporaries
have no better arguments to advance
for their position than the charge of
dishonesty, ignorance and selfshness
on the part of their opponents, it is
to be feared that their influence will
not help to an early solution of better
taxation methOds.-Northfield News.