The daily sentinel., 1900-12-06
Talks of Local Option Tax.


State Senator j. w. Bucklin of Grand
Junction promises to be one OF the lead
state legislature. Senator Bucklin is
man of convictions and he believes the
time has come 10 put one Of these con-
victions into practical effect.
His report, published in the News, con-
cernipg his trip to New Zealand and
Australia, in search OF information as to
the effect Of the land tax, is attracting
wide attention, and the Senator is re-
ceiving letters from all parts Of the Unit
ed States, inquiring as to his views. He
is met at every turn by inquiries and
yesterday at the Albany hotel the land
tax was one of the principal subjects of
conversation.
81 am an extreme conservative" said
Senator Bucklin, in speaking Of the cam
paign he had outlined for himself during
the winter, land l believe all radical re-
forms ought to be accomplished either
at the close OF revolution or brought
about slowly. Under present conditions
the particular reform which l am advo-
eating ought to be gradually accomplish
ed. With that object in view l am IN
favor OF an amendment to the state con-
stitution by which local reform in taxa
ton can be brought about. 1t is in the
nature of local option measure, and
counties not desiring the change need
not undertake it.
81 have no fear at all as to the hnal re.
suit. Local option in taxation will be
such great success that every county
in Colorado will finally adopt it and the
principle will spread throughout the
length and breadth of the continent"
"Are you convinced, because land tax
has been success in Australasia, that
it would be equally satisfactory in Colo
radoY"
"That is a question have considered"
replied the Senator, sand there is no
doubt in my mind about the success in
this state Fhe people OF Australasia
are in a remarkable degree, like the peo-
pie of the west. They are Energetic,
capable. ready to accept the best that is
offered and brighter than the more slow
going people of the Atlantic states
There is very little difference between
the average New Zealander and the aver
age, wide-awake Coloradoan.
1.-THE provinces of Australasia, where
the land tax is in force, contain almost
ten times as large population as Colo
RADIO, and some OF the cities where 1t is
in successful operation are as large as
Denver. In all cases the tax is declared
to be vastly preferable to the old plan and
rich as we'll as poor are its advocates.
The only surprise to those people is that
we are so far behind in one of the grand
steps Of the age"
"How about other reform measures
that will be introduced in the legislature
this winterY"
II may be in favor of some of them,"
was the answer, "but in must cases |
will oppose them as side issues that at
present stand in the way Of practical
progress. ! shall oppose the inheritance
LoAs LAo Vuphtiou anu all
taxes as unwise, unjust and harmful. II
the constitutional amendment, however,
is passed, it will neutralize the evil effect
OF the special forms OF tax have named.
We have no hope nationally for any de-
cided step in reform, and what 10 there
to holu the fusion forces of.Colorado to-
gether unless this reform taxation is
adopted and advocated by the fusion
parties? know that it will give relief
to the people, and relief must be given
il the reform forces hold together.
The question is now up to the fusion
parties"
The senator points out the taxation OF
Colorado mines as one OF the ridiculous
features of the existing law. The mines
Of the state, he says, are assessed upon a
valuation OF 100000 or 100000.
whereas one mine recently sold for $10,-
100000 and the real value of the mines
OF Colorado reaches S20O,0Oo,O0O. He
would levy an assessment upon one
fourth of the actual valuation Of the
mines and thus raise revenue amount
ing to more than 100000 yearly for the
fata