Charlevoix county herald., 1910-07-30
THAT MATTER OF
EQUAL TAXATION
HON. CHASE S. oSBoRN's MANLY
STATEMENT ON THE SUBJECT
CT MINE PROPERTY.
Efficient Administration Needed That
the Peoples Will May
Prevail.

noon, and when talking on the ques-
ton of adequate taxation for the up
per peninsula mining properties. ad-
vocated the formation of a commits
sion which would have power and
ability to put the mines on an eQuita-
BILE basis with the rest of the state.
Furthermore. he pledged himself, II
elected governor, to do all in his
power to bring such commission
into being.
while I sincerely believe" said
Mr.. Osborn, that many OF those VINO
are discussing the question of tax
alton, especially with reference to In
creasing the mine values and taxation
on them are earnest in their opinions,
| that primarily the question has been
raised by those who are interested in
! creating sectional feeling between diff
| ferent parts of the state for political
effect There is not an honest citizen
who does not believe in the adequate
taxation of all the property OF the
state. regardless Of where 1t Is stu
| ated or what 1t Is.
THE proposition to make revision
| of values is' not new one. This Is
provided for under the law. The re-
valuation of all property Is made man
datory under the law, every five years.
| and a new valuation under this pro-
vision will be made next year, and
would have been made whether the
question had been made on issue Of
this campaign or not.
Il earnestly desire to state that
the mines and other properties OF the
upper peninsula should pay their just
share of taxation. as we'll as other
property of the state The mining
regions of the upper peninsula are
200 miles from my residence and the
section in which l live is under no
more mining influence or domination
than Wayne county or Shiawassee
county. If this question Of taxation,
which Is as old as society, Is raised
as an issue for the purpose of OBJ
securing more important questions,
then it is unworthy Of being given
first place in the minds of the
people at this critical time. A great
| question of this campaign, 1t seems
! to me, is as to whether the money as
( raised by taxation shall be honestly
expended for efficient government or
whether the state funds shall be
wasted among political grafters or
hangers-on, many of whom are only
! interested in holding their Jobs, and
| who would not be given position, in
! private occupation In any of the le-
gitimate activities of the state.
public integrity the Thing.
1T seems to me that the thing that
is most demanded in Michigan to-
day is that the state shall be put back
into a condition of public integrity by
an efficient administration. Until this
| is done and until men of honest
character and capacity occupy the
| public places there can be no as
surance that an intelligent and hon.
est revaluation of the property Of
the state can be made, or that
moneys raised by taxation will be
properly expended, or that any Of
| those things that the people most
hope for will be accomplished.
"A great many departments OF the
state are at present hampered by a
needless number Of inefficient en-
| ployes. Any good executive should
be able to reduce the expenses Of
many of these departments at least
one-half, and at the same time in
crease the departments efficiency.
The state has been Republican so
long that men who have no higher
ambition than to obtain pubic place
for what it pays them. have drifted
into the party from all sides by whole
sale. This has reduced the standing
of the party and it's character and
efficiency. In other words, the party
which Is as good today in its passive
personnel as ever before, has be-
come so careless as to permit the
worst elements in 1t to dominate by
reason of their greater activity.
An Expert Commission.
"Mr. Osborn, have you personal
knowledge at this time whether or
not the mines of the upper peninsula
! are adequately taxed?"
II have not; and l don't think any
one else knows"
How can this knowledge be ar
rived att"
1T can be obtained through the
work of a special expert commission
| having knowledge Of every phase of
mining, appointed for the purpose"
by revaluation?"
mo, by valuation, because there
never has been a complete valuation
made. This can be done as accur-
ately by experts, as the valuation Of
any other property can be estimated
l think that a commission OF three
! experts could do the work"
Appointed by the GOVERNOR"
Appointed by the governor or leg
| islature or elected It's creation of
course, would be a legislative func-
ton"
Would you, IL elected governor
and there seemed a statewide de-
mand for this commission for the
revaluation of mines pledge yourself
| to bring II into existence"
"As ! have said. 1t Is legislative
| function. but ] would be glad to lend
my influence and do all in my power
to help toward It's creation. Detroit
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