Reprinted in The Public, October 6, 1906
THE
INFLUENCE OF TAXATION ON THE PROSPERITY OF CITIES
A Paper Read by Lawson Purdy of New
York
Before the League of American Municipalities,
in Session at
Chicago, September 26, 1906.
In 1873, Enoch Ensley, a wealthy planter of Tennessee, wrote to
Governor Brown asking him to call a special session of the legislature
to amend the constitution so that changes could be made in the tax laws
of Tennessee. The tax rate of Nashville was three and one-half per cent
and of Memphis four per cent, and Mr. Ensley said that the burden on
business was insupportable. Great land owner as he was, however, Ensley
did not urge a search for new sources of revenue, but rather the
application of the "rule or motto" which, he said, "It would be well
for the State to adopt and have cut into the stone at the capitol (in
large letters and have them gilded), in the Senate chamber, the hall of
the House of Representatives and in the governor's office, . . . to-wit:
"Never tax anything
That would be of value to your State,
That could and would run away, or
That could and would come to you."
This rule laid down by Ensley has become an axiom, but before it can be
applied the constitutions of about thirty-five States must be amended
by repealing those despotic limitations on legislative power which are
not found in the earlier constitutions, and which should find no place
in the constitution of any free people. Because of constitutional and
statutory restraints upon the power of cities we need discuss only what
can be accomplished in most cities by executive officials under
existing laws.
Conditions of Prosperity.
City officials often regard the city as apart and distinct from the
individual citizens, and sometimes therefore uphold policies which
appear to be in the interest of the city corporation, although opposed
to the interests of the citizens. This is, of course, a short-sighted
view. In reality nothing can be good for the city which is bad for the
citizen, nor bad for the city which is good for the citizens. Again,
many consider the interest of classes and speak of what will be
advantageous to manufacturers or shopkeepers or land owners. This, too,
is a mistaken attitude. Citizens should be regarded alike as men, and
not as the owners or users of some kind of property. All depend upon
the workers who render service for service, and it is fair therefore to
consider the interest of all citizens as bound up in the interest of
those who earn their living; and that city may be regarded as the most
prosperous in which it is easiest and most agreeable to earn a living.
The interests of the city and of its citizens are identical.
Nevertheless, they may be viewed from both standpoints.