Amador Ledger-Dispatch, 12 February 1909 — Poll and Road Tax. [ARTICLE]

Poll and Road Tax.

There is au agitation in some quarters to abolish poll taxes, but no valid reasons bavo been advanced iv support ot such a proposition. These taxes reaob in many cases a class that doeß not iv auy other way contribute) anything toward the support ot tho government which affords them protection. From a revenue point of view, tbe receipts from these sources constitute an important element in our finances. To abolish them would entail quite a boost in tbe direct property tax. Tbis will be apparent from the following figures showing tbe receipts from tbe state poll taxes, and road poll taxes in Amador county tor tbe year 11)08, taken from tbe official records: State poll taxes at S'2. Cash paid treasurer 33241.90 Commissions - - 572.10 Total 83814.00 At 83 Paid treasurer - 55.10 Commissions - 90 Total U.OO Total amount collected. 83820.00 Road poll taxes Cash paid treasurer - - SIB7O Commissions .... 'S-i0 Total 82200 Representing ut S3 each, 1100 receipts sold. So that the total amount received from these two poll taxes the past year was b'CO2O. To make up this sum, if the abolition idea should prevail, would involve an increase of tbe property tax ou au assessed valuation of six millions, of 10 cent ou tho 8100.