Carson City daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1907-1930, 1912-06-18
The Question of Taxes

\ FARMER who venture, to beautfy the outside OF his house
to build a mcdel barn or stable. 10 make his fence a ornament, in
stead OF a nuisance, or ven to make his lawn and garden beautiful
or hi, farm ca, must pay a large fine Uax) for his rash act.
He is treated worse than a criminal: for ii he had committed 4
crime he would be fined only oncc in his life for one act: but il he
has dared to beauty his house and farm, he nus pay a new fine Tor
yer yea of his life; and his heir nus go on paying it forever. un-
less we change the system and adopt home rule in taxation at the
November election.
The fact is, that all systems of taxing personal property OF any
kind are about equally bad. Probably the nearest approach to a fair
assessment would be reached by requiring every citizen to make "
return for his next neighbour Such a system would be as absurd "a
as al old fashioned donkey race. in which each mn rides a competi.
tors donkey, and the last donkey wins But like such a race it might
work out rough jutice-very roue Oh, ii is true. but no so bad as the
results OF any system now in use.
This system of taxation wa tried in Rhode Island a hundred years
ago, with only the difference that each assessment "a to be made by
ten nciehbors.
And the Romans had an eve more effective plan: they compen-
ed the assessor to pay all the taxes which could not be collected from
his neghbors! And yet both Rome and Rhode Island failed to make
their systems work.
and farmers desire to tax Is the very thing above all others ought OF
to be taxed.
A really effective and uniform system OF taxing money would ruin
every farmer. and destroy the demand for labor, and lessen production
Money is as important to the pro pcrty Of the State "a blood is to the
and, ii any successful method OF taxing all kinds OF money could be
put into operation, all of it would be driven ut of circulation. and .
frightful prosraion OF business would ensue: therefore. bankers and
business mn should work for and allocate home rule in taxation. be
cause, if adopted. we car exempt money from taxation.
Bank deposits are o money. in any ems whatever. Nobody
any money IN deposit. unless it is 4 special deposit. in a separate bag
or box. No bank accepts such deposits, unless it is we'll paid for the
risk. That is the business OF safe deposit companies. and yn may be
sure money in safe deposit boxe, pays n O tax.
Bank deposits are mcr credits. like any other loan, payable o de
mand. No bank could keep o hand an amount OF money o notes
equal to its deposits. 10 probably more than en- per cent; which
Since the money is W there for all the depo>hors. every reason for
not taxing money and credits applies to bank deposits
Treasury notes represent debts of the United States: and bank
notes represent debts Of the banks; DIN, like all other money. IS moth
ing but a representative Of wealth, which everybody honors: but not
wealth itself
These views we're supported by the Ohio Tax Commission some
years ago They said: "As to money, there is much cason for saying
that it is a mere tool, and that it should OF be taxed a. all Money is.
after ALL in almost all OF it, forms a mere credit -Rehard Caverly in
San Francisco Star