The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-04-01
Taxation Schools

The ST. Adams Messenger has this
to say of taxation matters:
The meeting of the listers of the
several Franklin county towns with
State Tax Commissioner j. +. Cush-
man in this city today is a realization
of one plank in the last Republican
state platform, al any rate. That
plank read
We believe that the reform of
the tax law of this state so that ii
may impose the burden OF the support
OF the government equitably among
all men and avoid so-called double
taxation is one of the most serious
and pressing duties that confronts
our people. We believe that one of
the greatest evils under the present
law is the lack of uniformity in its
enforcement in the 246 cities and
towns, each local administration prac
tically being a law unto itself in this
regard. AS a first important step to-
ward the reform of the tax law, we
recommend to the General Assembly
the amendment of the present statute
TO provide for a state central author
ity in some form that shall have some
proper degree of charge and over
sight of the local administration of
the law in the various cities and
towns, to the end that not only shall
the present law hereafter be as uni
formly and impartially enforced as
may be everywhere throughout the
state, but that the experience from
such uniform and impartial admins
tration, thus had for the first time in
the history of Vermont shall furnish
definite and reliable information help
ing to point the way to such further
changes in the statute as such exper-
fence proves to be Just and necess-
airy
Already the reports of results that
have been realized from one or two
years of similar but unofficial council
of the listers and Mr. Cushman on
this subject are most encouraging
and still better things can be expect.
ed now that the meetings are requir-
ed by law and the state commissions
er of taxes has at last some substan-
tial authority that he can invoke in
the premises.
We are making some progress to-
ward the solution of the tax problem
even if it is step at time and
slow"
The Journal has taken occasion Of
ten to express the belief that a full
and fair enforcement of existing law
would go a long way toward securing
needed relief in matters of taxation
and it still holds to that opinion. The
meetings of listers which the state
tax commissioner is holding will be
productive of much good These Off
GERS are learning what they can do
and what they ought to do. There
will be greater uniformity of yalua-
ton because of these conferences.
There should be cooperation of
citizens with the listers in an effort
to secure fairness and justice in mat
ters OF taxation. The attitude of the
public should not be hostile to the
tax assessor. Taxes are honest debts
and individuals ought to be willing
to pay their share of the cost of main
tanning government We are sadly
in need of revival of civic patriotism
which will call by their true names
the persons who by perjury and fraud
cheat the municipality out of its just
dues. Each community ought to give
hearty support to its listers who en-
deavor to do their duty without fear
or favor.
1t may become necessary to hold
schools for taxpayers as well as list
ers in order to educate the public to
its privilege and duties. Such in
struction is needed in many instances
and If this could be supplemented by
greater individual honesty in making
returns of taxable property the taxa
ton problem would be much easier to
solve.-Montpelier Journal.