Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1889-05-16

ally fall to our share, there would still
remain three million acres of timber,
plain and meadow lands, to the credit
of Statehood. lit were wise public
policy to sell these lands at once in.
open market at their present value,
we should enter upon Statehood with
the richest treasury west of the Mis-
sissippi.
"Look at this grant in detail.
When these school lands shall have
been sold in accordance with existing
laws, our school taxes will be re-
duced to all inconsiderable rate. We
have incorporated Territorial Uni
vsrsity and levied special tax for its
support; when the University grant
is placed upon the market it is prob
able that this tax can be entirely re-
mitted. Three other excellent edu-
cational institutions can be based up
on the grants for agricultural, scien-
ti6c and normal schools. We are
paying $780, 900 annually for the sup.
port of an Insane Asylum; ultimately
the Congressional grant may take
this entirely off our hands. We are
confronted with debt on our Capitol
building Of $4,000; the Compression.
al grant ought to pay every dollar of
it. We are paying $4,000 per year
for support of Territorial prisoners
sum which not only provides for our
own prisoners, but for those OF the
United States as we'll; Congress pro.
poses to spend $4,000 more on this
prison. give us the entire property
and then pay US for boarding FEEDER
al convicts.
"Out of similar grant, the State
of Nevada has already realized 81,
100000, and yet has most of its land
unsold. The annual receipts now b.
the State of Nevada from the curren
sales of these lands is an amount equa
to nearly double the present cost o
supporting our entire Territorial
government.
"The lands included in the variou
grants to the State of Idaho are no,
worth not less than $3,750,0OO. Onl
six per cent. annual interest On thi
sum is $225,00O-three times GU
present Territorial income.
"In addition to the foregoing grant
. of lands, the State of Idaho will r,
ceive for schoo! purposes, five pc
cent. of net proceeds Of all publ
lands sold within the State by tt
General Government, magni6ceI
sum of itself.
1.-THE assessment of real and pc
sonal property in the Territory HI
increased since 1878 at the rate
about S1,600,0O0 per annum. III
increase of assessabe property wou
be much more rapid under Sta
government. l refer to this as 6
evidence that taxation need not
increased above the present levy
. meet all the requirements of Sta
). government.
"One of the most serious hi
n ORANGES to the progress of our Ter
- ritory, is what is known as the Ali
- Act of Congress, which is an effe'
ual prohibition of the investment ca
" ital. An Intellectual attempt "
b. made during the last Congress to
peal or modify this law, so tn at {
people might be in some meas'
. benefited by the large amount
money held by this class of capital:
;; who are ready and anxious to inv
. large sums in the purchase and de'
opment Of our mines. If Idaho 81
M become State, this hindrance to
90 prosperity is at once removed,
- this law only applies to Territo'
90 over which Congress has exclus
control.
w "Whether Statehood Will br
W even a temporary increase OF taxatl
100 depends largely upon the judici
ed action of the Constitutional Cow
,d. ton. Into the details of their q
ate work | cannot enter. 1t is for
ire. to instruct your representatives in
,ity principles OF economy"
to Governor Shoup evidently
lth mates the value of the public la