The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1910-01-28
BRATTLEBoRO TAX DODGERS.
A Good Bill that the Last State Senate
Killed.

Ex-Atty Gen Fits once stated in 1
public address that property to the valu,
of nearly three million dollars escaped tax
alton in the town of Brattleboro, says the
Wilmington Times As we now recall his
remarks he cited several cases where per
sons in lifetime paid on a small amount OF
property, but the estate inventory filed
after decease in the usual course of pro
bate revealed thousands of dollars worth
of taxable property. The statements OF
Atty.-Gen. Fits have never been refuted,
Our constitution provides That every
member of society hath right to be pro-
tected in the enjoyment OF lite, liberty,
and property, and therefore, is bound to
contribute his proportion towards the ex-
pense of the protection" This provision
contemplates that every citizen shall con-
tribute his full proportion and no more.
The amount of taxable property re-
turned in Brattleboro amounts to about
six million dollars-a grand list of about
sixty thousand dollars. If the claims of
Atty.-Ge Fits are true, and we must
assume that they are, two-thirds OF the
taxable property Of the town is bearing
the full burden of taxation. This two
thirds, aside from yielding its just share,
third which the dishonest tax dodger does
not return for taxation. The practical re-
suit is that the man of ordinary means is
paying not only his proportionate share OF
taxes, but is also paying for the protec--
ton in the enjoyment of life, liberty, and
property of his fellow citizens, paying that
which his rich and dishonest. neighbor
avoids paying by giving in false tax in
ventory
g., tav Lodi
He is a despicable specimen of citizenship,
and it matters not whether he stands
back Of the gilded grating of a bank or
useless in a ditch. Any man who will put
upon his fellow citizens by means OF
perjured oath to tax inventory, his share
of the public burden ought to be wearing
stripes instead Of broadcloth. As COM
AIRED with him the ordinary thief is re-
roectable, since the thief steals from one
~nd usually one who is able to bear the
Ass while the tax dodger takes money
ron the pockets of all of his neighbors
N the country and from many who can
III afford the loss.
At the last session of the legislature a
bill passed the house providing for the col.
lection of back taxes from estates of
deceased persons upon property which
had not been returned for taxation during
the lifetime of the deceased. Such law
was favored ny Atty.-Gen. fllts as prom
lsing remedy for the condition he had
discovered.
No reasonable argument was or could |
ne urged in opposition to it. The senate |
id not pass it. The senate, which had as
ITS most constant session attendant, a
well-known and successful representative
of the corporate interests, refused to give
the proposition even respectful attention.
If a man during his lifetime chooses to
cheat the government which affords him
protection. chooses to cheat his fellow
citizens, choose by perjury to cause his
poorer brother to pay share for the sup
rort of government which he ought in JUS
tite and right to pay, his estate at his de-
ease ought to make good to his govern
ment the amount which was withheld from
it during his lifetime We hold up our
hands in horror at the revelations concern
ing the sugar frauds. We condemn with
out reservation those who have withheld
from the United State government by
means of false returns not under oath the
full amount of duty or tax to which the
government was entitled. In what differ
ant light does the man stand who with