The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1891-02-13

ohOtt4A 10N $500 -
claim with exultant satisfaction
"That represents my State"
Tho benefits to result from such ar
exhibition cannot be described in
words. They will be felt and realized
in years to come. Let it be remem
bered that the representatives of all
nations will behold it. It will be the
best advertisement that the state car
I submit herewith a bill for your
consideration snd adoption if it meets
your approval.
THE SUGAR BEET INDUSTRY.
Since the session of the last legisla.
ture, and as a result of the liberal &C.
ton of that body, there has been estab.
lished in this state, a most important in.
dustry. l refer to the making of sugar
from sugar beets. 1t is my firm con
viction that this will prove to be one OF
the great industries of the future in the
West, and in Nebraska especially. The
OXnards have put in a plant in Grand
Island at a cost of nearly three quarters
of a million dollars, and have during the
last few months turned out about one
million pounds of the very finest quality
of sugar.
These gentlemen are experts in the
manufacture of sugar. One of them
stated to me that he had travelled
through France, Germany, Bohemia,
and over all the states of the Union, for
the purpose of satisfying himself where
is the section of country best adapted
for the manufacture of sugar; and he
gave it as his opinion, unqualifiedly,
that Nebraska surpasses all other coun-
tries and localities in the a~daptability Of
its soil for growing sugar beets.
The starting Of the establishment at
Grand Island was an experiment; the
season has been unfavorable on account
Of the dryness; the business was new to
the farmers; but the experiment has
merged into a complete success; so
much so that the Oxnards are now put
ting in a similar plant at Norfolk.
In ten years you may expect to see
Nebraska the leading sugar producing
state Of the Union. Other states will
take hold of this new agricultural pur-
suit. and the West will supply the sugar
of the country, and the price to the con-
sumner will be reduced from twenty five
to thirty per cent.
1 earnestly advise against repeating
the law granting a bounty on the manu-
facture of sugar. That bounty was
given as an inducement to open up that
industry in the state; to induce parties
to come here and put in plants, and en-
courage the manufacture of sugar. To
repeal this law at this time would be
an implication of bad faith. 1t would
in effect be an act of reputation. Let
the bounty remain and other establish
ments will follow those already started.
It requires an immense amount of capt.
tai to startthis business, and when par
ties have accepted the offer of the state
in good faith, it is neither fair nor just
for the state to withdraw the offer.
1t was IN %unfavorable year in which
to inaugurate this enterprise. The dry
weather retarded the growth of beets.
1t was new business for the farmers.
They had to learn it. The manufactur-
ers lost money last year; some of the
farmers found the business improbable
while Others found it profitable. In an
ordinary season with more moisture. /
believe the raising of sugar beets can be
made very profitable, and it will erelong
become n of the products laised by
the farmers. My meaning is that the
bounty should remain for the present.
Give it another trial | am not speak
ing for the Oxnards; but / am speaking
for others who are contemplating the
establishment of sugar beet industries
in this state. We want them to come
we want competition for that is the sur
est way to prevent monopoly. Repeal
this bounty now, and you say to them
edo not come, we do not want you to
come" Inc you may be sure they will
not come. [ am convinced that the re-
peal of this bounty will prove to be o
most serious mistake.
ASSESSMENT N TAXATION.
In my judgment it is your imperative
duty to revise Il present laws relating
to assessment, taxation, and revenue.
That o vast amount of property, real
and personal, escapes assessment and
taxation every year is too plain and
palpable for denial, There is a vast
amount of inequalities il the assess.
ments of the same kinds of property but
in the possession of different individu-
ais is equally clear. The rich can easily
hide stocks and bonds, but the little I'M
pretending house of the laborer does
not escape the eye of the assessor.
There is no juSter or fairer method of
deriving revenue than by a fair assess
ment of all property alike at its full
value. Make the laws sc stringent that
they can not be evaded. Punish those
who violate them, with an unspairing
hand. l believe the statutes can be So
amended shat all persons can be COM
PEELED to disclose all their property.
The penalties should be made more
severe upon assessors who connive at
false valuations and receive rewards.
Public opinion can enforce an honest as
sessment. Provision should be made
by statute for the inf1iction of severe
penalties upon assessors who knowingly
value property falsely. 1t is not neces-
sary to make the levy according to the
full assessed value Of property. 1t can
be reduced to what ever per CEN you
deem proper. If all property is rated
at its real value there can be no excuse
for the present rate of taxation. Ne
braska has the reputation of being a
high taxed state; and this impression
has caused great injury to the state. 1t
alarms capital and frightens away in
vestors. Our policy has been and is,
low assessments and high rates of tax
alton. 1t should be, high assessments
and low rates of taxation.
In 1888, the assessed value of all the
property in the state, real, and per
sonal OF mixed, was S176,0 IL, $40, As. In
1890 the assessed valuation was 1884,
ITO, 3O4. "a. Showing an increase of
no --n ~ m - -~- Il.- I~o- ,,~t n,N