The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1874-11-06

In last weeks DEMOCRAT we made
n few comments upon tho acts and
doings of the late Legislative Assem-
bly, of the State of Oregon, and
promised that, in the future, as time
and opportunity afford, we would
bring under review such other acts
or omissions as seemed to require
comment.
We cannot understand how n pro-
fessedly reform and retrenchment"
Legislature could have so signally
overlooked the needed reform in our
system Of taxation. That some eoun-
ties pay more, and some less, than
their just proportion of taxes for the
support of the State government is a
flct so patent that it does not admit
Of n denial. This inequality between
tho several counties, in the valuation
OF property by the Count assessors,
can only be remedied by i, ,gislative
enactment. Tha legislature of 1872
took a step in that direction, but the
law passed, it seems was imperfect
and failed to correct the evil com
planned Of. The late legislature, in
stead Of profting by the error of the
preceding legislature, and in the
light of a judicial decision, and
amending the law so as to make it ef-
ficienr for the purposes intended,
was content to repeal the law of 1872 |
without giving us anything better.
This we are compelled to say, was an
nexcusable omission ON the part
of the late legislature. The men,
Iers Of that body owed to their
constituents and to the State, to try
IS far as practicable to equalize the
he assessment of property among
he Several counties of the State, to
he end that the burdens Of support
ng our State government would be
'qhally born by the people Of the
everal counties. This is a question
hat has greatly perplexed the legis- I
atures OF older States than ours, {
md no ono legislature has ever yet I
'een found wise enough, without
vailing itself of the light Of preced- +,
ng legislatures to perfect u State ,
qualizotion law that was satisfactory q
o the people, or efficient in correct \
ng the evils complained Of.
We are at loss in trying to &C.
ount for The failure Of the legisla-
are to pass the amendments to the
tate Constitution proposed to, and
assed by the session of 1872. That .
% need a separate Supreme Court is
fact not denied by any Judge, law :
pr or citizen. That forty days time : :
insufficient to perfect the necessary =
gislation is equally undeniable. - "
hat the salaries paid our Governor, .
reosurer, Secretary OF State and !
embers o. tho legislature is made
nate to the duties performed none ~ ~
At a closo-as.ed, persimonious miser =
i'll dispute, :"
Again, cur Independent reform" :,
embers wore pledged to such rail ~
nd legislation us would require our :,
ilroad corporations TO fonco their ],
ads in exposed places; to SO amend \,
y code IS to facilitate the!commence- /, Il
ant Of actions, and the service of ID,
oeess in actions for damages 10
rsons or property and to prevent !
just determinations in favor Of, or
ainst particular localities III the 90
insportation Of freight and passon-
rs by our rpilrOads-in a word. 10 ~
'ogurate a supervisory control ID ~
Interest Of the people over such To-
'poMuons within our State, owing Ia
N cogl orate franchise TO our legis-
ure
We have in this article briefly re. ins
red TO fow Of the failures of our \,
} legislature IN satisfying the de- '''
nds OF their constituents. We az
refer 70 the subject again in fu. iul
9 numbers Of The DENocRAr. ca