Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1918-07-03
PUBLIC FORUM.
On w. S. Stamps,

Vn W. % CtdNApSs
To the Editor
The people are again called upon
to subscribe to the great conflict in
which We are at present engaged and
to which we must contribute yet the
manner in which the allotment is
appears the appOrtiOnment, or in 9TH
er words the assessment, is made for
the terms on a $40 per capita basis.
II every man, woman and child were
financially fixed the same, the manner
would probably be just. | know of no
precedent in the United States where
such method is carried out, unless in
some lodge dues. That method might
be all right in such barbarous coun-
tries as Germany, but we are living
in g democracy.
The apportionment of the town of
Waterloo based on population is
$4,000. If school districts were ap-
portioned on that basis some school
districts would have to pay twice as
much as others. There are school
districts in which the number of
children of school age is so small
that school houses are closed Let me
ask, would such districts bear their
share of the burden?
Would it be right for a man living
on so acres with a family of to buy
as many w. S. S. as his neighbor liv-
ing on an 80 acre farm with only a
family of I? Or would it be just for
man worth $4,000 with a family of
four to buy the same number of
stamps as the man with $4,000? If
it is unjust when applied to families
and school districts, why isn't it un-
just when applied to towns?
If it is just for a town whose valu-
alton is half as much as another
! town to furnish the same amount of
money for this conflict, I say assess
according to means, 1t must be con-
coded the rougher the land the poor
er the people and the poorer the peo-
pie the larger the families.
In this case it looks as if a penalty
was placed on large families. I do
not believe our government intended
it to be applied in this way; they
simply used this per capita as bas-
is, but 1 do not believe they intended
the principle should be applied all the
way down the line.
Personally 1 would be better off if
the principle were always applied
that way but for the sake of justice
and humanity l cannot concede to the
idea.
am writing this article not expect
ing to right the wrong that has been
done, but in anticipation of the future
[ am in hearty cooperation with the
jurist who said, when he sentenced
the thief, Il punish you, prisoner, not
for stealing horses, but that horses
may not be stolen"
| am further writing this article
in justification Of the people of the
town of Waterloo who have been so
/. loyal and patriotic in this cause
In the campaigns that l have acted
as chairman-Red Cross, Liberty
Loan, and w. S. ST. must say they
have been heroes in the strife. Con-
sidering their financial ability they
have done wonderful. $4,000 was
subscribed in the Liberty Loan.
People that knew the situation have
confronted me and asked, chow did
you do it?" Yet during these cam
paigns the people have treated me
with the utmost kindness and respect
and I feel that l have not made an
enemy, and on the other hand have
tried to be fair and just with them.
When 1 stop to think how patriotic,
how kind and fair they have been to
me / sometimes feel like weeping
for joy.
Sincerely yours,
Chris Hartman.