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Cije Gaily Examiner
MARCH 3, 1885
City Taxation
Tur active aud earnest interest which our citizeus are now taking in the aftairs of the corporation is ia pleasing con- trast with the apathy aud supineness of | former years. We trust that it is at} ouce the ‘siga aud precursor of vigorous action oa well defined lines—action | which will result in the material im- provement of our town.
Ways aud Means are, properly, | always a first consideration; and the! City Council have, we think, done well to cousult with their electors about this important matter. They could have} levied upon the owners of real estate for | all the money they may need; they pre-| ferred to consider whether or not some | of the burdeu of taxation cannot be | placed directly upon the shoulders of}
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other ciiizeus who live or have property |
of other kinds within the limits overseen and protected by the Corporation.
This question has been ably discussed | by several correspondents of Tne} EXAMINER. ‘The first and perhaps the | greatest difficulty about it is to lay down some equitable principle on which taxes may be exacted. Many say that income should be the basis of taxation; for income is the measure of a man’s ability to pay; aud every mau should pay taxes according as he is able. But is “income a true test of ability? Let us suppose the case of two citizens one of whom has au income of $2,000 per year, the other au iueome of $1,000. At first sight we should say the ability of the former to pay taxes is twice as great as that of the latter. But the former is in debt, and a good portion of his income goes to pay the interest of what he owes, he has a large family to support, he has| many expenses from which the latter is| free, and is really a very much poorer | man, and consequently not so able to pay | taxes. Bet it may be said: “you have been taking the men’s gross incomes— take rather their net incomes andyou will have the right measure of their ability.” We greatly fear that if the net income re- maising after expenses are paid were taken as a basis fur taxation, very little mouey would flow ivto the City Treasury, and what little did flow io there would come from very few sources; for most of us, after we have paid the cost of living aud the cost of carrying on our business, have little left —some even live beyond their means aud at the end of the year are in debt.
It is quite clear then that gross in- income is a very fulse and always au uv- reliable measure of a citizen's ability to pay taxes; and that net incomes, as a basis of taxation, will not do at all.
Indeed we are inclined to think that the question of a means ability to pay taxes should not be taken into consider- ation; or, to put it in another way, every mao should be considered a//e to pay the taxes which are fairly levied.
But what would be a fair levy? One which would make every man pay taxes, not according to his ability, but accord- iug to the benefit he derives from the corporation which the taxes are imposed @ muintain When two persons are iu a grocers shop buying goods, the grocer does aot enquire which is the best able to pay him, and thea demand the larget amount from the ablest ; he takes account of what each gets, and exacts the Jargest amount from the ove who gets the most.
it is on this principle that the City Council should, in our opinion, proceed when asking from the Legislature powers of taxation, and when making their levies. There are certain advantages which the Corporation gives to all citizens equally, and for which all should equally pay. Such are:
Street Lamps... $1,800 Pees osu, cows Mi had DW la ates 5,309 I i a 7,500
For these and a few other things of general advantage levy a poll tax of (say) $7.50, on (say) two thousand mep, who live in the town.
Then there are certain advantages which belong particularly to property~ holders. These include the Fire Department $4,000; interest on the debt—represented largely by apparatus obtained for the Fire Department, 86,755; and other items amounting to about $13,000,—which could be covered by a levy of a half per cent. on real estate.
Again, those whose children attend the schools and receive the benefits, should certainly make up a large pro- portion of the amount required for their maintenance. The average attendance at the schools is about 900; and if parents and guardiaus were obliged t» make up in some equitable way (say) $6,000 of the $9,000, they ought to feel well pleased.
Wheu we obtain a supply of water for fire and dust purposes, some $3,000 or $4,000 a year will be required to pay for it; aud the merchants, who will receive the largest advantage, will not, we are sure. object to a levy for that requirement of a persoval property tay, which will bear mest heavily upoo them.
The remaining $8,000 or $10,000 re- quired for miscellaneous expenditures ean he obtained from miscellaneous services —market tolls aud reuts, wharves, licenses of various kiads, etc.
Thus, on the only just principle that cap be practically applied—ihe principle of miukivg people pay for what they gei—
| as regards our
the sum of $44,000 @ year ean be ob
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tained without impesing the burden of |
taxation unduly or unjustly upon apy
| class of citizens.
Holes in the Ice.
We should have stated vesterday that. the duty aud necessity of placing brushon the borders of holes made in the ice by mud diggers, was kept well in view when this matter was discussed in parliament. | Mr. L. H. Davies is reported as having | said: —
‘The Bill ia one that leoks reasonable,
jand Lam loath to give it my opposition, |
but the remarks of my colleague prove that | Provines at least, in the | ereeks and bays of which the farmers are |
accustomed to keep holes in the ice open for the digging of mussels, it might work a hardship, and besides that
it would hardly be necessary as these holes are guarded by putting up trees around them, and [ never heard of an acci- dent occurring. It isimpossible that they could be pretected in the manner provided
iby the Bill. because horses are used for a
space of 20 or 30 feet from the holes, and to inclose these openings and the spaces which the horses eccupy would prevent the farmers engaging in that work at all. As 1 remarked before, the Bull looks so reasonable on its face that one doos not like to object to it; in its practical ap- plication I fear that it would either be evaded altogether, or if attempted to be enforced it will act very hardly. There never have been any accidents that i have heard of by leaving these openings unpro- tected; on the contrary,as the farmers erect a barrier of brush around them they are not on the direct line of travel, and therefore accidents could hardly occur.”
We quote these remarks for the satis- faction of our correspondent ‘Travel- ler;’ and to show the requirement of brush at holes made iu the ice, will pro- bably be incorporated in the Bill betore it becomes jaw.
—The Patriot says :—“Hon. Donald Ferguson has been pretty much absent from his office for the last two weeks on a lecturing tour.” Had the Editor of the Patriot cared to be exact he would have fouod on enquiry that Mr. Ferguson has since the beginning of the present year been away from his office ouly two days. Even if he were absent for two weeks—inspiring our people with love for their country and taking an active part in the conventions of our farmers, few persons would be found to say that he was badly employed.
_—s em «
—It is reported that Ear) Carnarvon implored Earl Derby to Jet nothing stand in the way of the acceptance by the government of the offers made by the colonies, which would enable the colonies to act ip the field in one body with the (QJueen’s army. It would, he says, be a great step in the direction of the federa- tion of the colouies.
City Council
A special meeting of the City Council was held last evening;— present, His Worshp the Mayor, Councillors Crabbe, Koughan, Kelly, McLean, Davy, Haszard, McRae, Horne, Douse and Morris, and Chief Engineer Large.
The Mayor stated that he had in behali of the city, and in connection with other owners of wharf property in the city, tele- graphed to Dr. Jenkins and Mr. Davies, and also to the Recorder, who was then in Ottawa, and asked them to see that the city’s rights be fully protected in the pass- age of Mr. Tupper’s Bill. He then read replies from Messrs. Jenkins, Davies and the Recorder to the effect that they were alive to the city’s interest in the matter and that the legislation would not affect it prejudically.
Tenders for the repair of Queen’s Wharf were submitted; and after some discussion, that of Mr. John Steele being the lowest,: was acceptcd.
On motion of Councillor Crabbe, a load of coal was ordered to be sent to Mr. John Hatch.
Councillor Haszard called attentivn to the filthy state of the Market House and the necessity of having a janitor and messenger for the City Clerk’s cflice, and moved that Mr. Robert J. Van Iderstine be appointed te that position under the
orders of the Market Comwittee at a salary of $300 per year. Conncillor Haszard gave notice that he
would at the next meeting move for the passage of a bye-law requiring the removal of snow from the sidewalks so thai all citizens shall be obliged to keep their sidewalks clear ; and also of a bye-law re- quiring milk vendors and peddlers to take out licenses, and be subject to having the quality of their milk tested. Council adjourned
City Hospital. Mr. Howatt’s foot was amputated at the instep this afterncon, in the presence of several surgeons. Mr. Glidden and the other patients are doing wel). —— = Scotr Act Conviction. — At Mount Stewart, on the 28th ult., befure Jas. Ross and W. J. Logan, Esqs., J. P.’s, Patrick Doyle, painter, of Mount Stewart, was convicied and fined fifty dellaxs and costs, or two months imprisonment for selling spirituous and intoxicating Jiqnors, contrary to and in violation of the Canada Temperance Act, 1878. cnuelnliehee. het Tuk attention of the Street Committee is directed to # pile cf ttenes on the sidewalk, near West Kent Street School A sen cf Mr. W. H. Harris, of the Post Office, had his lez broken by reason of one of the large stones there falling while he was passing. caterdibiaies Tuk mails did not leave Cape Tormentine to-day till ten minutes past three, and will not arrive in this city till between 9 and 10 o'clock to-night. seiliitneneaslt AvcTION SALE of Molasses, Fish, Sugar, Oil and sundry other goods, by A. MeNeiil, to-morrow, Wednesday, Mareh 4th, at his Auction Room, See advertisement,
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sliiijhaaiilh ii J. B. Macponauy is clearing his stock of mene and boy's Felt Hate at a great eaunfice {mar 3
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Taxation
Vity
Sin,—Inu vour issue of the 24th ult. I notice an aruicle from the pen of ‘ Tax- mayer,’ on civic matters. Wijtle | agree with ** Texpayer ’ in some things, there are others which Leannot support, It is adunited by all parties that we do require a goud system of Waterworks jor fire and general use, and until this system 1s intro- duced the city will be subject to great risks from fire and other causes; but before we attempt this great undertaking, I would sugyg st that some means be takeu to equalize the taxes, and also to curtail the present working expenses of the city. In order io ar- rive at a proper solution of the taxes, al] men of 21 years and upwards should be taxed— landlords by their incomes, tenants by their holdings, cflicials by their salaries, young men by their poll tax. { would have no furniture tax [ would give every man to understand that he must assist in paying for the improvements of the city, and also show to those officials that they must not look to the present taxpayers for the educa- tion of their children. When we look around and see how many cftlicials, both Locai and Dominion, that are exempt from taxation, enjoying all the privileges, and getting their children educated, we come to the conclusion that there is something radically wrong in our city goverument. Now with respect to the government cf the city. We have many officials who are pot required. We have two clerks that are get- ting high salaries; one of these is quite sufficient for all the work to be done. Have one of these clerks dismissed and give the other an increase of salary, so that he may be paid for the extra work. Then there is the Tax Collector. Will some one say what this man does! Yes, he collects the taxes. How does he do it! By going around with the bills, and then getting the pressand the court todo the reat. Why not dismiss this man, and send a policeman to deliver the tax-bills Have the taxes paid in the City Clerk’s office, and after due notice is given let the Court do the rest. Do away with the Assessors, they are not required. What is the use of employing these men year after year for going over the same work. Appoint a good City Surveyor for the purpose of superintending all the works of the city, and also make him an Assessor. Have him permanently em- ployed, as long as he does his duty, aud give him a good salary. Who is better able to do this work than Mr. J. Taylor, a good mechanic of long experience. When he gets this appointment you will find that both citizens and the city wi!l be satisfied with the change. At the same time the citizens, if they think they are over-rated, have the same privilege of appealing from him as they now have from the Assessors, and their causes will be settled before the Magistrate.
Yours truly, CITIZEN. The Merchant's Bank of P. E. Island.
Sikz,—The annual meeting of this estab- lishment takes place on Thursday next. It is gratifying to know that even one of our local banks still continues to exist. Thanks to its Stockholders who paid up a sum sufficient on tbeir shares to cover losses,in most cases, the result of past ex- travagance. The Merchant’s Bank is now on a fair footing, and with proper care in its management, promises to repay its stockholders the heavy losses they have sustained. The want of caution in allow- ing their funds to be vested in visionary speculations which proved so fatal to the banking institutions of this Province in the past should serve as a safe guard against similar results in the future. We trust the business public generally, will patronize the Merchants Bank, and thereby help to sustain the only local institution of that kind now in existance in this com- munity. Much, however, of the future success of this Bank will depend upon its Board of Directors, who should be chosen with due regard to the varied interests to be represented at the Board. There should be no favoritism shown, nor any undue ad- vantage given to any one class of customers over another. To this end it would,be well that the interests of artizans, agricultural- ists and others, should be represented at the Board, as well as those of the mercan- tile community. It is to be hoped that past experience in this direction will serve to convince steckholders, who desire to mete out even-handed justice to all classes of customers, the necessity of guarding against undue preferences. ‘To accomplish this desirable object the Board of Directors should not be chosen in the special interest of any one class of the community. How often do we find the smallest favors denied some customers, whilst others of a more favered class can be accommodated to an almust unlimited extent. To prevent this let there be a greater variety of interests represented at the board.
Yours,
Farr Pray. Holes in the Ice.
Sik,—I see it reported in the Ottawa papers that a measure was introduced into Parliament to compel persons who made holes in the ice to fence the same round, and that its application to this Province wes opposed by Messrs. A. C. MacDonald and L. H. Davies, on the ground that it would interfere with farmers who were raising mussel mud. If the loss of the lives of both man and beast is no object, then our representatives were right; if not, they were wrong.
Now I think it is held by our courts that a person who cuts a hole in the ice of any of our rivers, which are public highways in winter, for the purpose of raising mud, if he does not fence or bush such hole round with trees, would be held responsible for accidents that might occur in consequence of such negligence.
The usual practice with mud diggers is to put some spruce or fir trees round tie holes they cut in the ice ; this is not always done. When a hole is dug out, the mud digger is moved, trees and all, to a new place, and the old hole is exposed. I can say this, without’ fear of contradiction, that it is very dangerous for travellers to drive (say) on the West River, from this time until the ice breaks up. People who are near- sighted, short-sighted or tipsy are very apt to drive into such holes. Even a clea:- sightet, skilful driver finds it difficult to aveid them, and therefore | think some
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Jegiclation was micesaary fer the safely of
i these who have c¢ en to travel by the } ee, especially afier dark wor in weather.
Your obcdient servant, TRAVELLER, Ch’town, 3rd Mareh, 1885.
nat
Custom ‘TatLoring.—- Fine Stock
Gentlemen leave your orders at JB, Mae- donala’s. (mar 3 7 Tue counties of Northumberland and
Durham iu Ontario, have accepted the Scott Act by a mejornty of about 3,000 votes - - Hats ! Hats! You can Hat for 50 cenis, ati. it.
buy a good Feit Macdonala’s.
SMALL MARKET to-day—prices unchanged. > ALLIANCE meeting to-night at 7.30.
P, ii. Island Dairymen’s Association,
_ 7 Third public meeting of the above A
Associa‘ion will be held in the Y. M. C.
Hall, Thursday evening, March Papers will be read by Alexander and “rancis Bain, Esqrs.
A full attendance of farmers, members cf the House and citizens are respectfully requested, a8 a lively discussion is expected
Chair to be taken at 8 o’clock.
Rh. K BRACE, Secretary. March 3, 1835—6,7,10,11 wkly li
12th. McRae
Grand Trot at Souris. 7. Annual Trotting Races will take place on Souris Bay ice, on Tuesday, March
llth, commencing at | o'clock, p. m., sharp. Prizes to the amount of $65 will be off red.
lst Race—Free to all, purse $35.
2nd do — 3 Minute class, purse $70.
3rd do 3-year olds, purse $10,
Horces toe trot to Heats
three in live.
Open to any horses on the Island.
DONALD hicKINNON, Secretary.
harness. best
m3 3i
Molasses, Sugar, Kerosene Gil, Apples, &e.
Souris, March ?, 1885
PY Auction, Weduesday, March 4th, at 11 o'clock, at my Auction Room :—
10 casks Kerosene Oil, 25 bris. Apples, 4 orls. American Beans, 5 half-chests ‘lea, 4 bels. Crackers (assorted), 5 boxes Biscuits (assort- ed), 50 boxes Digby Herring, 3. crates Crockyware, 25 bris. Labrador Herving
(prime), brooms, Wrapping Payer, Paper Bags, &c. Also:—t Large Fireproof Safe (Beston make. ) Sale Positive —Ve close consignments. A. McNEILL, Auctioneer,
Ch’town, Feb 28, 1885— 2)
t Y, MC, A. Lecture Course. FAYHE next Lecture of the winter course, before the Young Men’s Christian Asso. ciation, will be delivered by Mr. Leigh RP. Gregor, B. A, in the Y M. ©. A. Hall, on Thursday evening, March 5th. Subject: ‘Means of Culture ”’ Cha‘r to be taken at 8 o clock. 10 Cents,
Admission,
HENRY SMITH, Secretary, Ch’town, Feb 28, ’85—sat tu we
BORD BRINGS.
THEO. L. CHAPPELLE,
Diamond Book-store, 89 Queen St, _Ch’town, Feb, 28, 1885.
—
rgxo LET~ A new honse, fronting ou Powna) Street, Mnquire of Thos. W. Dodd mar3 pat Vo —A servant Girl for
work iu a small family.
general Apply at this
cltice. mar3d
§ OsST—On Saturday (28th) a Pocket Book, 4 coutaining asum «f mopey. ‘The finder will be rewarded by leaving it at this office mar?
ne In Dee mber ‘ast, at Georgetown, - asilver hunting case Wateh., The owner can have the sam* by ;reving property and paying for this adv-rtisement. Enquire at the EXAMINER Cfiice, mar2 3i wkiyli pd
UX JAUNTING SLEIGH and -phacton (reversible sest) for sale. Apply to Geo Bremner. \feb 27 tf
N ONEY WANTED — Provided interest
low good secunity. Apply at this office,
[feb27 tf
\ JANVED.— An experienced Salesman
(liberal salary) at Dorsey Goff & Co. feb25
OR SALE ~A Warzer “©” Sew ing
Machine, nearly new, in first rate order;
cost $45, WU] be seld} at a bargain. Evquire at this oftice. febl9 10;
} POR SALE. Que very iine Berkshire Boar Pig, 12 months o'd. feb Li tf
OST On Friday, the 20th iust, a Plan,
A the finder will be rewarded by leaving it at the Ve aMisen athivn fol? t tf
atts. LOST, FOUND, &e. |
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MINER, MA 2CEL ‘@.
of Wor- | steds, made to order in the latest styles,
} j
(mar 3} ae No tobogganing to-night owing to soft ive, te
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—
FS 4% + «dl »
“tg CABH BUYERSt
me en
SPECIAL LINES iN
DRY Grae ag
WILL BE OFFERED AT THE
LONDON HOUSE |
Until the opening of navigation, to make room for
Springs Importations
ome mee {me =
Scotch, Brussels and Tapestry Carpets at very Low Prices.
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SCOTCH CARPETS WORTH 95 Cents for 70 Cents v4 és ce 100 sé “ 78 “ a6 ‘6 és ] j Ss s< “ G2 “
ene (YT
TAPESTRY CARPETS FROM
40 CENTS UPWARDS BRUSSELS ¥ “ - ’
SO se Se “cc
* ee rs
Loom 'Pable Linens at 16c,, 18c., 206,
& Pune. Molasses, 5 bris. Granu'ated Sugar, |
and upwards,
Special Lines in Cotton Towels at 3c, 42, 4¢, 6c, 8c, and upwards.
ene TY
Special Lines in Linen Towels at de, 5e, 6c, Te, and upwards.
70°
BLEACHED AND UNBLEACHED SHEETINGS, PILLOW COTTONS,
BEDTICKS. SHIRTINGS, ETC,
REMNANTS IN DRESS
‘A LOT OF WINCEYS SELLING
CooDs!
VERY CHEAP,
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Black Cashmeres (42-inche:) 40 Cents and Upwards.
30: +
REMNANTS IN TWEEDS, DOESKINS AND OTHER CLOTHS.
-—— eo 5); ——comenee
REMNANTS IN FLANNELS, &.
Gibiins.
The balance of the 3,000 pieces White and Grey Cottons advertized in December last, at the same prices then offered notwithstanding the market has advanced from 15 per cent, te 175 per cent.
|
In Lots No. 1, 24 inches, at 3 Cents.
ve ve. » = ° 2. DU 66 “) "? . ce 9 " é ° Dy ~~ . iy 6 +e > = . 4 35 ** 7 \. +. +f in >“ ee . d, S ee 6, 36 . ) ee
to 25 Cents.
BALANCE OF MEN’S AND BOYS’ OVERCOATS AND
ULSTERS AT COST.
MEN'S UNDERCLOTHING AT A BARGAIN FROM CENTS TO 65 CENTS.
i.
WHITE AND COLORED COTTON WARPS, (BEST MAKES)
0——
A LOT OF
32
Choice TEAS ia hali-chests aud packages of 5. 10, 15, and 20 pounds-—Whoelesale and Retail.
Ch’town, Feb. 20-—taw wkly 2mos