Ketchum daily keystone. (Ketchum, Idaho) 1884-1884, 1884-09-20
SATURDAY. SEPTEMBER 20. 1884.
REPEAL THE TERRITORIAL PRO
PORTION Of the POLL
TAX LAW.

TAX LAW.
Among the resolutions adopted MS a
portion Of the platform at the recent
Democratic Territorial Convention at
Boise city was the following:
Resolved. That the condition Of our
Territorial treasury now justifies and we
favor and demand, the total repeal Of the
Territorial proportion Of what il known
a. the Poll Tax law"
Some inquiries have been made us to
the meaning and effect Of this resolu-
ucu by gentlemen not familiar with the
revenue act. We therefore publish the
two sections Of the statute which ex-
plain the matter.
'sSHc. s.. Each male inhabitant of
this Territory, over twenty one and un-
dar fifty years Of age, and not by law
exempt, shall pay poll tax, for the use
Of the Territory and county, Of four
dollars; provided, the same be paid be-
tween the flrst Monday in March and
the first Monday In August; but II the
said poll tax Is not paid prior to the first
Monday in August it shall be Ave dol
lars; and seventy Ave cents Of the extra
dollar shall be paid to the county treas
urer for the school fund, and twenty
nve cents be retained by the tax col
lcctor as fees in addition to fifteen per
cent. on the first four dollars, which it
shall be lawful for him to retain as COM
pensation for the collection Of said poll
tax"
How this four dollar poll tax is to be
distributed appears from the following
section:
"SEc. 60. All money collected MS poll
tax, under the provisions Of this act,
after the expenses of collecting are paid,
shall be paid into the county treasury;
one-half thereof to be appropriated to
Territorial purposes, and tho remaining
one-half 70 county purposes"
The proposition therefore is simply to
abolish two dollars of the poll tax, leav-
ing the county poll tax Of two dollars MS
at present. The penalty of one dollar
after the first Monday in August for
non payment, now divided between the
school fund and tho collector, will prob
ably need some revision also, II the pro-
posed amendment abolishing the Ter
ritorial proportion, should become n
law.
change ss partizan measure, the
amendment would be u commendable
one. This IL one of the worst taxed
communities in the country. The road
tax Of four dollars is i'll itself terror,
but MS the county obtains some local
benefit from that money, it is more en-
durable. The Territorial proportion Of
the present poll tax is now dissipated in
outside circles Of little advantage or in
terest to the people OF Alturas county.
There might be some justifying reasons
for its retention il the money went to
sustain State government in distress:
but Territorial government is presu-
med to be paid for aud maintained by
the Federal power TINT appoints the
Territorial officers.
Whichever OF the candidates for the
House of Representatives may be elect
ed from Alturas, Mr.. Watson or Mr..
Wheeler, VIC are satisfied will take nm ac-
tive interest in this reformation, ind
we have no doubt but the Councilman
who may represent us will give the mat
ter serious attention.
Notice.
All persons knowing themselves in
debted to James Moore, at Ketchum,
- -oAsAoA that THAI ~rs>0,,rto hovc