The Helena independent., 1893-09-02
Mr.. RICHARDS VETOED IT
A Measure That Would Have Helped
Out Taxpayers in These Strin-e
gent Times.
It Was a Bill Allowing Taxes to
Be Paid Semi
Annually.
,v,u.. a nc,.S rs,a~- s,~s
He Admitted Twas u Good Thing, but
Didn't Sign It-Now IT'S Very Much
Wantoh.

He Admitted Twas u Good Thing, hut
Didn't Sign It-Now IT'S Very Much
Wantod.
Ono Of the subjeots that has been much
talked about lately 10 thnt of having ths
legislature called to take somo action look
ing to making the payment OF taxes less
oncEous under the existinR condition Of af-
fairs. The sentiment is growing that q
special session of tho legislature wonld ae-
Complish untold good and relieve many
heavy burdens by extending tho timc for
the payment of taxes md lesseninR the
penalties for non-psym msnt and extending
the time for the enforcement OF the penal
tics. Gov. Rickards says an extra session
for such purpose would do untold harm
TO the cradit Of the state. Those who favor
the idea say the harm done would be small
in comparison with the hardships OF
selling a largo part OF the assessabls
property OF the people of the state
under the hammer for non-paymsnt OF
taxes In this connection many may To-
member that the Legislature last winter. In
spite of the many hard things said about'lt
by those who do not want to SEQ it called to
eject a senator. passed ono bill that would
have been of groat benefit just now. 1t
amended the revenue law by providing that
"Taxes will be delinquent nfter Dec. l
unless at least one-half thereof shall be
paid on or prior to that date; and it Mt least
one half of the taxss are not paid by that
time 10 per cent on the full amount OF
taxes will be added thereto; and II ono-hnlf
OF the taxes shall be paid over rrior to Dec.
then tho remainder shall 10 pnid on or
before Juno succeeding; and II not paid
by Juno l, the snme will be delinquent and
10 per cent added thereto. Delinquent
lists are to be published by the county
treasurer the last Monday in December and
june"
On March 18, over two weeks after the
Legislature adjourned. Gov. Richards vetoed
secretary Of state. were as follows: Under
the amendments proposed in this bill ono
half Of the taxes would become ayablo
and delinquent on and after the first day Of
December Of each year, and One-half on
and after the first day Of June Of each year.
unquestionablv conserve the interests Of
taxpayers and TO a degree render taxation
less burdensome, wers the financial condi-
tons of the state such as to warrant the
adoption Of suoh measure at this time.
Ny objections to the bill do not
lie against the general proposition
to collect taxes semi annually. but Q
based on tho inexpediency of approving q
measure which would, in It's practical oper-
ations. seriously embarrass the state. The
floating indebtedness of tho several coun-
ties of tho state on March l, 1892, acRre-
county having no floating indebtedness at
that time. The bonded indebtedness Of the
several counties at the same time amounted
to $l.6O9. 1888. making a total indebted
ness of 81, 99b 72O.O9. Under the =, DIVISIONS
of section 1913, page 1885, of the general
quirsd to post hpon the door of their Of
hce. on the first Monday of every month, .
list of all warrants that they have money
in their hands to redeem or pay, and that
the interest upon such warrants will there
upon cease. Notwithstanding the ability
of the t easurets. under this section to use
available funds for ths payment of any out
standing warrants. the indebtedness above
quoted existed on the fret of March, 1892.
AZ q matter of fact, the moneys that were
in the hands of county treasurers at that
date were available and had been set apart
schools of the county and the legal expenses
therefor, and for tho SinkinR fund
of the county and to dsftaY the in
terest on the bonds then toptstard ing.
The county oomm miasioners are oOnpelled to
keep on hand sufacient amount OF money
mences Dec. each year, endinR on Dec,
the following year. At the beginning OF
the fiscal year each county beoinsto incur
it's expenditures, and it il apparent that we
collect the taxes on the last day of the ts-
cal year to pay the expenses already in
Cured during tho year.
"PrRcticaliy every county in the state.
with tue exception OF Silver Bow, which
has 10 floating Indebtedness is conn PEELED
to mortgage its income one year in advance
to meet its expenses, and under the pro-
visions OF this bill would be compelled 10
in advance. paying into est a On its exrcn
ditures for that time. while now it lays
such interest for twelve months only. In
addition to the foregoing considerations,
which show that the effect of the bill would
be injurious to the resreotive counties now
burdened with debt, and of advantage only
when such indebtedness is cancelled, its
effect upon the state at this time furn hss
All important ground of objection.
1.-The third session of the Legislative as-
Bemblv npl reprinted for various PURPOSES
the sum Of $S40 1927 81. and callsl for itf
expenditure and the creation Of rublic In
stitutions. ETC., prior to Dec. l. 1893. The
levy OF two and half mills upon tie as.
sessed value of property for the wear 1885,
will not be sufficient to meet the indebted
ness of the stat. according to tho moe
liberal estimates. kepo Is now o.l file in
dicate that the totHl assessed value of ren
and personal property tor the yenr 1893 wi!
not exceed $l25 O00.00O. Adding to til,
cash on hand thu levy of two and n halt
mills. and tho income of the state from al
othor sources, and the available funds t
cn'ry on the state government from Dec. l
1892 to Dec. l, 1888 will not, in my iudg
ment, exceed 1865 600. Wore to npproy.
the bin there would be $156. OOO Of taxeI
levied in 1893 that would not be nvailabl,
until Jan. !. 1894, This sum would repre-
sent an Indebtedness a. on which the stat,
would be compelled to ray interest at til,
rnte OF sx per cent ier npnum, making
total extra outlay for intercst on the pnr
of the state of nenrly $4,000
"Ihe bill is fu ther objection able in tina
it would enable some to eyndo taxation OF
Iersonal p operty. In this state tax upol
personal property are not " lion upon III,
real property OF the owner, and thus IL
many cases property upon which there we,,
delinquent taxes could be sold or removed
from the state and thereby escap. I4ayin,
tribute to the support of tho common,
wealth. To the objections already citet
others might bo added of more or len
weight. such as the expense of pchlishiu,
two delinquent tux lists in each county
keeping two delinquent tRx books aud th,
employment of additional help in the of
flee OF the county trensG O..
The executive veto can with propriet,
bs interposed as ngaiust the work of th
accredited law makers of the state, onl
whom measures Rre !otted oleRry in con
tlict with the constitution or likely to i'm
peril the TREASURY by unforeseen demanu