Milford chronicle., 1932-10-21
Milford, Friday, October 81, 1892
WHERE A CUT IN TAXES WILL
HELP DELAWAREANS

DELLA W AhEANo
Just how, where and when relief
for owners of real estate in Della
ware shall be made from taxes that
directly affect that particular in
terest, is a problem which requires
not only legal ability, but good COM
mon sense to create a system that
will work satisfactory for a major
ity of all real estate owners, and
with fairness to the government,
At present and under the present
system of state and county govern
ment a general objection prevails
against paying taxes each year, that
is akin to revolt; but no one has
advanced any practical ideas, for
the people to consider, and even the
leading candidates on any of the
tickets nominated in Delaware, have
presented such solution of the prob
lem; except, that of Governor Buck,
when in a speech made last week he
said, that he was in favor of MAX
ing a radical change in the method
of taxation in the counties of Della
ware. He stated positively that he
was opposed to the ideas of cOnsoli-
dation of the three counties of Della
ware into one county, and that there
can be and must be radical changes
in the forms of county government.
One of the most important sugges-
tions being, that the highways and
bridges of the entire state, be placed
under the management of State
Highway Commission. That all
roads and bridges shall be hereaf-
ter built by such commission and all
business connected with the roads
and bridges. of Delaware be given
over to such department. This would
remove more than half of the taxes !
now paid by real estate, in each |
county now amounting to approx
mately one million dollars.
The county offices can be man |
aged at great saving of taxes to !
the people, if a business system is
installed and carried out.
This suggestion alone would re-
duce to very small amount, if not
entirely remove all tax on real estate
in the counties of Delaware. This
is the great tax consuming part of
.f 4I,o y
cials in the county seats when plac-
ed on a business basis, will be less,
while the service will be better for
all the people interested. If Mr..
Layton has suggested any practical
means of lessening taxes on real es-
tate, we have not learned of his ac-
ton. 1t is all right to cryout against
taxes, but there has to be a plan,
workable and just to all taxables,
and such plan can not be evolved by
the believing crowd. Study and
careful consultations, are part of the
path through which progress trav-
els. Under the direction of the Re
publican party Delaware has gone
far in all departments of govern
ment. The tax system is one more
of the great reforms which requires
experience in large affairs in busi- '
ness, as we'll as familiarity with the
standards of government. Taxation
needs careful, deep study, to be so
arranged as to give fairness and
equal rights for all the people.
Real estate for years masqueraded
under a false front, when it came l
to levying taxes. A system evolved {
by land holders, through action of
the Legislature of Delaware, set up
"rental values" as the best method
of fixing a base for levying taxes for i
county or school purposes. 1t pre- t
vailed for many years, but finally
education of all the people, a
it fell. Under that plan the renter q
paid the greater part of all taxes q
for county, school and municipal C
purposes. All land with growing f
timber or young forest was exempt
from taxation, which created valua- S
BILE investments for the land owners, C
and finally it was repealed; but, real u
estate since has found taxation a a
serious problem. Governor Buck p
would have other sources of revenue S
turned into relief of real estate, and b
where and from which it v
should be made. This policy GER
-ainly should be approved by the h
people of Delaware as wise and fair. Il
Governor Buck has carried out a
policies of the Republi- o
AN party in Delaware, and certain v
Y good judgment on the part of the g
,oters of Delaware will compel a
hem to vote that Governor Buck be k
'e-elected on November 8th for b