The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1897-01-14
MUST GO SLOW AMOUR TAXATION
Reduction Is Necessary In Expenscs
and Debts.

| Upon you will devolve the important
| duty of reducing state and county taxa
| tlon. 1t VIII be impossible to reduce state
| taxation without repuuiating our obliga-
| IONS, but a great reduction may be made
IN the expense of running our county gov
| ernments, and 1t will devolve upon Won TO
enact such legislation as will accom-
plish this object
| me provision of our constitution which
| prohibits taxation In ordinary times ok
| ceeding ~ per centum per annum has
been, in my Judgment persistently via
| lated although 1t has been held by our
attorney general that state warrants do
| not tall within the meaning of a liabil-
n.y. with due respect to his legal at
| taihments and those who agree with
MN. insist upon my construction being
right and desire TO warn you against
iurther asressions, as the time will come
when some one will call upon the SUI
prerne court to pass upon this subject. I'm
winch case those who deal in our secul.i-
ties are liable to meet with a disagree
able surprise. The trainers of the con-
stitution anticipated a contingency other
than insurrection or war which might ne
cessltate the creation of a larger debt
than ~ per cent on the taxable property
OF the state, but wisely provided that In
such case the people at the polls should
nave an opportunity of being heard
1t Is contended that where the legisla-
lure mas made an appropriation for the
purpose OF paying state warrants. and
those warrants are issued against that
appropriation, they are not a liability
we have instances In the history OF our
state wherein we have absolutely failed
to receive the moneys collected for taxes
notably, the moneys which were retain
ed by the treasurer of Latah county
Those taxes were collected as provided
under the levy. Does il then follow that
we do not owe the warrants against
winch they We're drawn? Such a CON
struction of the constitution is, in my
opinion. untenable and I believe it would
DC wen Tor you to arrange for bringing a
test case before the supreme court, that
TINS matter may be definitely adjusted,
so that If wrong has been committed
such thing may not occur again in the
future
The constitution is the bulwark of the
people, and it's protective provisions must
not be ignored. A law should be enact |
ed providing for the investment in state |
OF all moneys which may here |
after accumulate in sinking funds for the |
redemption of bonds. BY this mode of |
our warrants may be held at
par II legally issued, and the state may
receive the benefit of the interest. instead
81 allowing the money to accumulate IN
The state treasury for the benefit of the
banks.
Although In some of the counties of
ne state the tax levy has run up to
'everai cents on the dollar it must be
'orne in mind that the levy for state
axes has never exceeded IS cents on each
100. and that the excessive taxation
which the people have been called ,lpon
o bear has been brought about by ex-
ravagance in the administration of conn
y and municipal affairs ana the excess !
I'VE fees paid in some Instances to coun I
y officers. I
The recent decision of the supreme
onrt concerning the fees of sherlfrs. i
me no doubt proper Interpretation of {
ne law, shows clearly the necessity of
revision Of the statute relating to the
ses and salaries OF county officials.
In Conclusion. c
Attorney General Parsons will submit IN a
on his report. which will embrace many II