The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-04-02
VOX POPULI.
JAS. n. JONES DISCUSSES
SOME LIVE LOCAL ISSUES

century, ria, March 81, 1914.
Editor Pensacola Journal.
/ note, in last Sundays Journal, a
write up by Judge Reeves that, it ap-
pears to me, touches upon matters of
much Importance to the people Of this
county and state and deserves much
more than ordinary notice As sug-
gested by Judge Reeves, there are 50
many different definitions to the word
Progressive" Il do not mean by Web
ster, but by the average citizen OF the
county, one persons idea compared
to his neighbor's idea), that the great
majority Of voters in the county can
not tell what a man means when he
says he is a Progressive" and there
are many things that affect US locally
that is of vital interest and it is due
the people that candidates for the
state senate and legislature should ex-
press themselves more fully than just
to say Il am a progressive Democrat -
We need men in these positions that
are capable of thinking for themselves
and who are also capable of having
opinions of their own and then who
have the backbone to. stand up for
their convictions; when such men an
nounce for Office and express them
selves freely before an intelligent peo-
pie: and that people elect them to Of
fee they can then feel assured of the
support of the people and are lin po-
sition 10 accom- plish something.
Judge Reeves mentions our present
antiquated system of taxation; Judge
Reeves is right, our present system is
unjust, unbusinesslfke and very unfair
in it's operation. besides it looks bad
to inquiring citizens when you have 10
tell them that we have such tax rates
as now exist.
We need complete revision of our
present tax system and such revision
should De left with competent and ex-
perienced men, men who are capable
of making intelligent investigation
and reaching conclusions therefrom.
1 noticed the circuit clerks report
| under date of March "a, 1914, covering
Escambia county's tax accounts to
| that date. This report shows that more
| than 100000 has been charged to our
tax collector for collection as 1918
taxes, the same report shows that only
one fourth of this amount, or approx
nlately $500 had been paid to that
date, March -, 1914. Now let me ask
the question, is that right? I say no.
Our couhty is in debt. / know of war
rants that have been outstanding for
nine months, yet the holders are I'M
able to collect their money. Is this
business like? Again | say no. Why
not have a law that would allow a
discount OF ? per cent for payment
in October; / per cent if paid in No
yember; net in December and in de-
fault after January LIST, with interest
at the rate Of s per cent per annum
from the first of January until paid
and a penalty if not paid by April list.
Such a law would be fair to all alike
and would enable our county to col
lect its taxes and pay its bills without
the embarra ssment of nine months
old warrants being held by its citizens
which they are unable to collect for
like of funds.
I will venture the assertion that the
20 per cent of the 1918 taxes that have
been paid to March "a, 1914, was paid
by so per cent to 75 per cent of the
citizenship of the county, while the
average large tax payer is simply
holding out his tax settlements, US
ing his money and embarrassing his
county; this is not as it should be;
it is easily figured that the county has
lost more than $4,000 in interest since
January 1. 1914, account of borrowed
money and deferred payments upon
WHICH II HlGSt pay interest. " no pears
the cost of this? All tax-paying cit
liens, Notwithstanding the majorit.
have paid their taxes when due. yet
some are holding back their payments
and the man that has paid must bear
the expense of the other fellows tardi-
ness.
/ am not blaming the man that has
not paid. he is excusable under the
law; then il must be the fault OF the
law. and il this is the case, the law
needs revising or correcting
l have only touched upon the tax
paying end of the question. there are
equally important suggestions that
might be made on the other side of
the matter and it is to be hoped that
our state tax commission will pre-
sent some kind of a law to the next
legislature that will be an improve
ment over the present law, and IL so,
such law should have the support OF