The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1901-01-09
Discusses Mine Taxation.

Taking uD the question of mines the
governor speaks of the growing import
aRce of that industry in the state and
tnen takes up the question OF the taxa
ton OF mines, the supreme court having
recently held patented mines were sub
Ject TO taxation. On this point the mes
sage says;
During the years previous 10 state
hOoG and since all mines and mining
claims have been treated IS exempt from
taxation, except the surface improve
ments- The construction placed upon
makes the patented mine assessable for
taxation, white the pOssessory right,
though 1t may produce as much, Is stu
exempt. The two classes OF mining
property should be placed upon the same
basis as near as pOssible-bOth should
be taxed or neither-for the science Of
taxation is certainly to distribute as
equally as possible the burden OF public
expense. but We should keep in mind the
tive industry until 10 becomes producing,
after which il is as legitimate as any
I other branch of our industries
1T is evident that with taxation as an
alternative the completion of title from
the United States of pOsSessOry rights
will be slow. and in most cases erurely
ton. while the assessors of the various
counties have an arbitrary power 70 place
I a valuation upon patented mines WITHIN
their counties and this viii result IN the
practice of retarding extended develop
ment Of those properties or OF blocking
out large or extensive bodies of ore 70
D
ton
Suggests New Law.
To comply with the spirit of the de-
! cision of the supreme court Of the state
I recommend that this subject he taken
I'D eaTlv in the session and that it receive
the most careful attention. treating this
the greatest industry Of our safe, wan
great liberality which will enable and en-
I courage it to still advance
"A measure TO treat eqUitabiy great
L mining QnfeTnTlEeG process OF Dr0NlC-
/ ton and under promotion should, L think,
! be enacted placing minimum valuation
upon the surface ground OF -uon-produclAS
placer mines and a maximum valuation
upon the surface ground Of producing
! placer mines. while minimum and maxi
mum of larger amount ShOUlu De oidCeu
upon the surface ground Of quartz mines
and the net product of both mines and
mining claims should then be made as
1 sessabIe. at a montreal fixed rate. have
given this question serious thought ana
offer these suCges lions with the belief
that YOU will improve upon them
| The message ln0OrSeS tht Hliutld ot-
I CARNATIONS of the state and suggestions
J of Adiutant General Weaver Tor their
/ increase and maintenance
Attacks Corporate Favoritism.
( 'Onc of the growing evils of the day
! is the tendency of corporations COMPARES
J and individuals conducting business which
/ is charged with public interest, sucn as
/ common carrier. carrier OF telegraph news
/ intended for the general public. etc 10
4 few at the expense of many rms favor
I itism Is wrong in principle and fosters ana
( builds uD monOUOlieS to the detrlmenL OF
/ the best interests OF all our ciuzehS- eA-
| ceptirg the favored few This tendency
I should as far as possible, be checked Dy
| legislation. I therefore recommend that
an act be passed making II a pubic Oh
] Tense Tor any corporation, company OF IN
dividual doing business IN TINS state Such
business being charged with pubhc m
terest TO discriminate against any clJ-
Zen cOrDoratiou or company In this state
by refusing to grant equal privileges. pro
cess OF terms to one which are given 70
others in this state.
Favors Municipal Ownership.
The message strongly favors municipal
/ ownership of public uilltles- ana tuus
/ I recommend that YOU 50 amend oul
! statutes so as to place the right OF the
: cities and towns OF the state TO conduct
own and control water ana ilght 9.aHHts
/ and furnish the inhabitants lnereOL VIII
/ water and light beyond all question o.
! bubble and that some means De pro
vided TO protect the people from eNorbl
tant or excessive charges Tor HSht o.
/ In conclusion the message says;
WITHOUT any desire to trespass upor
the prerOgstives of the leglslatlN'
branch ] feel that it is proper for me L
{ suggest that one of the evils oil moderI
times is the making of too many statu
tory laws. The best interests OF the PEG
Die will be sUbserVed bv each memDer De
ing particularly painstaking and carefu
about the introduction OF uiiAS II eAe
I I1anre,7s that member introduces a bil
to establish some regulation, merttoriou'
in itself burt needless for the reason ina
the rule has already been aqopteQ ana =
i'm force This can be avoided by e2ct
member desiring certain regulations HOOK
ing carefully 10 see II existing laws are
not sufficient to answer the desired pus
nose II is extensive TO Introduce need
less bffis. The time of the Legislature d
consumed. The time Of the committees
{ Is consumed and IL costs great deal q
min md consider bills. Hence none bu
those thaz are needed and which Wi
he beneficial should be introduced mt
! either house
Stands For Broad Public Spirit.