The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1938-03-31
Township Government Efficient

Recently tax report recommended the abolish
ment of township government in Minnesota as a
means of cutting taxes and expense of government
as whole. Electors of Sank Centre Township at
their recent town meeting voted their objection to
that proposal they wished to maintain their right
to levy taxes and control government OF their i'm
mediate vicinity.
Township government, with its town meetings,
has been the backbone of our government and re-
cords from the state auditors office show that sub
stanal reductions in taxes have been made in town.
ships of the state and that state taxes during
en-year period have been increased.
This report leads us to believe that the further
the administration of government is removed from
the people, the higher becomes the cost and incident
ally higher taxes result. Lower expenditures and
lower taxes, however not the only benefits de-
rived from self government as there are others Of
equally great Importance Interest maintained under
that system produces citizens who as free men, are
given opportunity to learn how to conduct the poti
cal and economic affairs of their own communities.
They best know their needs, and they best de-
eide matters important to the welfare Of their homes
and farms.
Yet, in the matter of expenditures alone, town.
ship government has proven efficient the records
of the past the 81 counties of the state
disclose The report states that levies for township
purposes in every county in the state have been re-
duced 1t is also shown that in every county the lev
les fer school districts reduced. In 80 counties
the eves for cities and villages reduced County
levies lowered in only 48 counties, and state
levies were reduced in only four Of the counties of
the state.
Hence, it is apparent that where the tax payers
have control Of expenditures, either directly or
through local boards expenditures have been reduc
ed And the best showings in the past years
have been made in the townships and school districts
The figures show that in Stearns County the lev
les for township purposes during the year per-
iod reduced from $159,37539 to $50 5043 8,
ducton CT $72,S7091, 1872 percent. Taxes in the
school districts of the county reduced from
1884, 23 70 to 349984 decrease of 92395,
2S75 percent City and village taxes in the county for
the seven year period decreased from $407 362
80 to $321076.47 cut of $8628642 21.18 percent
Stearns Ccuntys taxes have been lowered from $780,
74505 to $417,539.6S; decrease of 1914 percent or
$S220537. The report states that during this same
seven-year period the taxpayers of Stearns County
their taxes for state purposes increased from
S176,58738 to $237 53065; increase Of $6094327
34.51 percent.
In spite of the fact that we are told that there
exists higher trend in government COSTS local gov
ernments have reduced taxes and thereby apparently
have proved erroneous the recommendation of town.
ship adjustment for lower erng taxes In face of the
above figures, do not believe the farmers of
Stearns County will be willing to allow the abolish
ment of townships units Of self government
Things desired by everyone. Higher wages =. . q.
greater profits lower taxes
Somebody said that woman has a cleaner mind
than man, because she changes it so often.
Speaking national affairs Is one way to side
step the issues of the state.
Happy Days Are Here Again." IT'S spring. It
came to us without political promise.
We advise investigation before investing in a go
ing busness-It might be going to h.