CITY FARM TAX.
Mr. Rahm's bill [S. 174] to repeal section 3,261 R. S. 1881, coming up on the second reading -
Mr. CAMPBELL, of St. Joseph, moved to amend by providing that such tracts where bounded on three sides by platted land shall be assessed the same as other city property, otherwise to pay school and road tax only. He said: My amendment is predicated upon the idea that these lands of more than five acres in extent which are situated with in the corporate limits of cities and towns should only be taxed the same as lands within the civil township in which they are situated that lie side by side, except that lands within the corporation should be required to pay tax for school purposes: the same as lands in the civil townships except they should pay for school purposes as lands in the city. My observation is that farms contiguous to cities are brought in the corporation limits principally for purposes of taxation, and often for the purpose of increasing the population to such an extent that they may be incorporated as cities Repeal section 3,261 and these lands within corporate cities will pay exactly the same as is now paid by city property.
Mr. SMITH, of Jennings could not comprehend why such property should not bear its equal burden of taxation, not only for school purposes but for all other purposes. After arguing against the amendment awhile in order that the author of the bill may have a change to be heard, he moved that the Senate adjourn.
The motion was agreed to.
