Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1891-03-04
THERE is com insd newspaper

THERE Is conn lned newspaper
protest against the passage OF pending
measures for the organization OF II
State Board Of Equalization. The ex-
cuse for opposition is that they are
measures intended for railroad benefit.
Senator Comins bill should be reported
back with n recommendation that II do
net pass IL is substantially the same
bill introduced by Wells Drury in the
Assembly Tour years ago nnd is in con-
fliet with the Constitution.
The Constitution has distributed the
powers of Stale Government among
three separate coordinate departments,
hibiting The exercise OF powers by one
department which properly belong -
smother, except us the Constitution per-
mlls 1t is sought by the Conins bill
10 organize u iull-hedged court, with
all of IT'D paraphernalia, with the usual
powers OF courts OF justice. The
duties OF the Board shall be to issue
process, 10 administer oaths, TO hear
evidence, punish for contempt, to de-
termina on appeal and TO enter fnai
judgments. 1t is a court OF appellate
jurisdiction, with powers and jursdic-
ton clearly defined, and is to be COM
posed of certain executive State Off
GERS, the Governor being Chief Justice.
The proposed bill is fragrant ell
croachment of the judicial power Of
tho State and in violation Of tho Con-
stitution.
That there is considerable inequality
in property values for the purpose oil
taxation 10 admitted. That there
should be u just equalization Of taxes
is conceded, and that u State Board OF
Equalization is necessary, there can be
me- doubt. State officials have ie-
pealedly recommended that laws be
enacted TO create such Board and to
define its powers and duties. Esme-
rAlda is loud in its acclaim Tor Boar d
Of this kind. But much rs the
Constitution does not, in any part OF
1t, permit the Executive Department
or any member thereof to net rs
Judge, except in the capacity of Com
missionsrs Of the Board OF Pardons,
We are averse 10 the passage of the
Comins bill or any other of like pur-
port for we do not desire TO fsrestall
the collection of revenue in any way,
nor do we wish TO see the enforcement
Of the payment OF lakes complicated
by laws of doubtful phraseology aud
meaning or subject to constitutional
attacks, thereby obslructng the collec-
tion OF taxes,
Senator Williams bill is the least
ebjecti Enable Of the two, and meets
with the strongest opposition. We
advise the amendment Of Section 2
thereof to the effect that the Governor
be authorized to appoint Board of
Ave, who shall not b. all Of the same
political party, to constitute State
Beard Of Equalization to hold such
office under such appointment until
the next general election for Governor
and other State officers, when five men
shall lie elected to constitute said
Board. such Board is needed and we
should have it Immediately &c obtain
a uniform and equal rate of assess
ment and taxation throughout the
State. The power is in the Legisla-
turo to create such Beard, for Article
X, Of the Constitution provides The
Legislature shall provide by law for a
uniform and equal rate of assessment
and taxation, and shall prescribe such
regulations as shall secure just val
uation for taxation of all property"