Henderson gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1911-19??, 1911-05-04
Some Thoughts on Taxation.

Taxation is by no means popu-
lar subject, neither with moneyed
men nor vet with the masses OF the
people, and the fellow who starts out
as an advocate OF increasing taxes
for whatsoever purpose will soon
find his popularity-if he can lay
claim to such--rapidly on the. wane.
And we want to assure the reader in
the outset that such is not the pur-
pose of the Gold Leaf in this article.
But few observations on the sub
iect OF taxation might not do any
real harm, and will not if they cause
the reader to think and think right
ly.
When it comes to the subject OF
taxation, most OF US are apt to look
at only one side OF the proposition
the side that directly affects our
pocket book or our bank account in
the payment OF taxes-and just here
is where the main trouble lies. Sup
posing that the taxpayer gets what
he pays for, taxation is not such a
bad thing after all, even If it should
seem to be little burdensOme at
times. When we go to the store or
elsewhere to make purchases, we do
not mind paying the full value OF
what we actually get. And be it
said to the everlasting credit OF the
people that the idea OF getting some
thing for nothing is becoming more
and more obnoxious every day.
The communities that are making
the most rapid and substantial ad
vancement and improvement on all
lines and that are the most attrac-
tive to investors and home-seekers
are the ones in which taxes are the
highest The reason is not far to
seek. We cannot hope to possess
and enjoy the good things OF this
life unless we are first willing to pay
the price. Good schools, streets,
lights and all other modern munich
pal improvements cost money, and
the community that is without these
things is invariably put down as "a
slow COACH" on which few people like
to travel. No wide-awake city or
town can afford to do without them
because they cost a little tax money
from each individual resident.
When it comes to public improve
ments and the general advancement
OF the community's best interests,
there is just one question that is
squarely up to us: Are we willing to
pay the price? Ifnot, then we must
be content to wag along in the old
ruts and be branded by the world as
a sleepy-headed folk perfectly con-
tented with what we already have,
poor and inadequate as our advan-
tages and facilities may be, and de-
string few OF the better things OF this
world, il they are to cost us little
something.
We frequently hear it said that the
rich and well-to-do have to bear the
burden of taxation, but this is not
literally true. While they may pay
into the public treasury large bulk
of the tax money, still the taxes of
the everyday working man are every
whit as burdensome to him, and Of
ten more so than are those OF men OF
wealth. So when the question of
taxation comes to the front, the
plain people OF limited means are
just as much concerned personally as
are the rich, for while the latter can
pay OF their abundance, the former
not infrequently havelittle that they
can spare to pay with. But all
should be willing to bear their part
OF the cost of needed and helpful i'm
provements in municipal, county and
State affairs. 1t is not money thrown
away or wasted, when properly han
died and managed by public officials,
but is good investment that will
bring its ample return to all.
And let us keep in mind the fact
that the taxpayer and the voter is
apt to be one and the same person,
and in very large measure holds
the public welfare in his own hands.
Ii the tax money is not properly
used and applied by those who are
charged with that duty, then the
taxpayer, as qualified voter, should
help to remove them from office at
the earliest moment possible and
place competent men in their stead
But if we are unwilling to pay a fair
price for needed and beneficial public
improvements, then let US not be
ready to censure uniustly the officials
who fall to do what we have declined
TO place the means in their hands to
do with.
A late dispatch says that to assist
women scientists in studying the
stars, a $25, 900 iellowshipfor the OBJ
ssrVatory at Nantucket Island has
just been announced. However, it is
safe to venture that the great ma
lorfty OF women will continue to
make the latest styles and hand
some men their almost exclusive
study.