Putnam patriot., 1909-03-05
Business Mems Association.
SEWER DISCUSSION.

| pate. rs foiloWs.
! Resolved, That IL is for the best In
terest of Putnam that the city begin
the construction Of It's sewer system
during the year 1909.
! Affirmative side-Dr. Omer La Rue,
| Il. NJ, Arnold.
Negative side--6. D. Bates, l.. He
| Fuller.
| While not large attendance-be-
tween thirty and forty members wero
| present-it was an interested one, but
too one sided to excite the enthusiasm
that would have been manifested had
the debaters on each side been anima-
ted with consciousness they were
right and must fight to win. Questions
of that character will no doubt follow
in due time, and the dehaters on each
side will be more numerous.
But II was an suspicious beginning,
and manifested the Importance of tho
work the Association, in part, has as-
samed To take up in order that our cit-
izens may be properly enlightend, by
discussion, ON public matters upon
which they Will be called upon to act le-
gally, that they may do 50 understand
ingly to promote the welfare the city.
They can judge whether this advan-
tage from discussion can be realized
from the two meetings already held
by the Association for this purpose.
The FIRST instance was the Address of
State Tax Commissioner VIM. IL. Cor
bin, who pointed out the inequalities
of taxation OF property throughout tho
State, which benefits no town, but II
n detriment to all, and would be worse
did not the Stnte disregard each towns
own valuation and makes correct
valuation of It's own.
The towns kept the valuation low
TO avoid paying correct taxation. On
the ground that all the towns did the
same. hut the trick don't work. The
state adds over 81 ,0Oo 600 to Putnam's
valuation Of its taxable property. BY
rendering a correct valuation, or even
higher than II shonld, the taxpayer
would lose nothing by II, for the state
equalizes all state property on It's own
estimates. II Putnam doubled Its val
uation IL could reduce the rate one half
and thus pay no higher taxes, aud the
State would continue to be governed
by It's own estimates of valuation.
We have often heard II said that our
tax rate IL too high aud keeps people
from settling here. To remedy this
trouble, increase valuations and tho
Tax rate goes down in the same propor-
tion; and the taxi payer has no higher
tax than before.
This subject Of property valuation
Tor taxation purposes will no doubt b.
taken up for discussion by the Associa-
ton, ny advised by the Tax Commits
sioner, until the taxpayers understand
that TO act in conformity with the law
In regard to property valuation Ii for
their own interest.
The second instance 10 show the adj
vantages Of public discussion Of ques-
lions that should be acted upon legally
Is that which took place last Thursday
night. The question discussed was tho
need Of immediate construction Of sew
ers In this city. We need not recount
the arguments as we place them before
our readers in full, and are Of charac-
ter to create deep interest ON subject
of importance TO every one, especially
the preventative Of the affirmative side
~ 4 n Dan. MI. faft In r.. "a
cd To his side Of the discussion. He
spoke with full assurance and ably.
with consciousness that he knew and
felt the importance Of what he said.
Col. q. ID. Bates led on the negative
side, and white he consented TO present
the arguments that were uppcrnost In
the minds OF those who opposed the ini-
mediate construction of SC wers, he wan
at the same time believer In the Inn
mediate construction Of sewers. Con-,
the circumstances, therefore,
he did a good service In so ably pre- 4
senting the negative arguments, covef,bs
ing every point that could be urged fol u
delay, leaving little for any one else ID {
say on that side. lie did II also witfrpn
such earnestness and force that be ap
psaIed 10 have convinced himself hsa.~
was right. We give his speech In full
r. NJ. Arnold, ON the affirmative sid
made an interesting speech, and MOI
only elaborated on much 20 ably pre-
sented by Dr. LaItue for Immediate
but found large amount u,
Of new arguments which he used with
hearty zeal and earnestness that lett no
doubt Of his own convictions. We
would be glad 10 print all he said In
full, but our space u too restricted BY
the large space devoted To the two full
and able speeches preceding his.
Ex-Mayor Fuller, who understands
the question as well ~ any non profess
sionai could possibly. spoke TO tho
point on the negative side, but hardly
In the spirit he naturally would have
done had he selected hts own ground.
II would not be satisfactory to merely
mention hts salient points without ais
elaborate Arguments, which, ~ in the.
lease Of the speaker preceding him, ara
declared by lack Of space. if0wevee
much OF value, we may say, could ~
added 70 the opening speeches on eiahs
er side, in them will be found the ole6G
..tt~t