The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1915-01-14

cials shall be elected? The inevitable
tendency of a system of taxation
wherein the officials are appointed by
some central authority Ia to make pos
sible and probable the construction
of a vast political machine destruc-
tive to the right of self-government.
No such tremendous power should be
trusted in the hands of any governor
or other single official or in any agency
subject to his control.
The Warnes law, so far as it pro-
vides for appointment of deputy tax
commissioners or district assessors,
boards of complaint and local or dep
uty tax assessors should be immedi-
ately repealed or radically amended.
Rule by officials must give way in this
instance to rule by the people. If
there was one issue above all others
| fully and emphatically decided by the
voters at the recent election it was
that the tax assessors should be Sc
! lected by the people instead of being
appointed by a central executive pow
er. The people demand that their
right to local self-government be re-
stored in this regard. 1t is recon-
mended that this demand be complied
with as one of the primary duties of
the S1st general assembly.
Without going into a review of the
problem of taxation it is pertinent to
draw attention to the fact that Ohio
| ;r, = 70 70 in tIn TTninn in Tyh
the local tax assessors are appointed
by a central authority. Until recently
| the people had directly elected their
] tax assessors. 1t is recommended
that this right be restored to them.
The one argument urged in favor OF
the new system against the old one
is that of alleged greater efficiency.
The claim is certainly open to dispute.
Efficiency can be obtained without
such arbitrary Capitalization; but even
arguments sake, th& plea is INSULT
cient It is not only contrary to treas
ured historic precedent and to the
democratic traditions of our race, but
the present system is in violation OF
the spirit and the very letter of our
constitution. Efficiency is a great
thing; auS Self-government is a great
er The people are the source of all
executive and legislative power and
are the final court of settlement. If
they want the executive to appoint
their tax assessors or other local Off
Gals, they can grant that authority.
But they have nNt done so. Whatever
reforms be advisable or necessary in
our taxation system, they must be
predicated upon the will of the people
constitutionally expressed.
In restoring to the people home rule
in the valuation and assessment of
property for taxation, it by no means
follows that state supervision must be
abolished.
Without going into details, it is sug'
gested that the work of the local asses
sors be placed under the direction OF
the county auditor who should De re
quired to perform without additional
compensation the work now done
by the district County, tax assessor
and over him there should be placed a
strict supervision by the state tax
commission to secure uniformity and
efficiency in taxation throughout the
state.
One of the many objections most
vigorously and properly urged against
the present system of assessing taxes
is that it tends too greatly toward cen
tralization of power and makes posi-
BILE the construction Of huge politica
machine. Against this tendency the
people, without regard to party lines
have registered prompt, emphatic ant
J effective protestant this protes
should be needed in legislation ant
: administration