The Redwood gazette., 1902-09-17
THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
The Republican Legislatures Work Now
Being Appreciated by the People.

closely studied the work OF the ses-
sion and it's wisdom is being better
appreciated. No amendment on
which to found desired tax laws
could possibly suit all classes, but
this is so broad and yet so carefully
framed as to meet the situation even
better than it's friends had hoped.
It is thoroughly Republican meas
ure and the more it is dissected the
more clearly it is shown how fully
the interests of the people are guard
ed The only ones who can posi-
bly, complain Of it's provisions are
the rich who may object to the in
come tax that is almost sure to fol-
low it's provisions, as that will
bring under taxation the personal
wealth that now almost wholly es-
capes. This form Of taxation, how
ever, covering Invisible property,
is rapidly growing in favor.
AS is we'll known, large property
and corporate interests from the
first opposed an extra session. The
tax commission report distinctly
said that no adequa tax law could
beframed until after the Constitu-
tion had been amended, and these
interests used this as basis to op-
pose this extra session idea. It was
urged that the proper action was to
wait until the regular session Of
1903, when the whole subject could
be more fully considered.
AS will readily be,Cseen the Lope
was this: that with the field open to
all the great mass Of Legislation and
private interests that come before
the legislature in its long session,
that by trading, threats and oppo-
sltion to local measures, these large
interests could better handle the
subject to their own profit No one
can appreciate the tremendous in
huence brought to bear upon Gov.
VanSant TO prevent his calling the
extra session. But he had pledged
himself to call it. He had given his
distinct promise and relying on
this the legislature had shortened
it's regular session and consented to
adjourn. He believed that with but
the one subject before them, the
lawmakers could and would act
more disinterestedly, more wisely,
and with greater care than in the
crowded long session, and be also
recognized the fact that not to call
it was to put off the subject at least
two full years. Moreover, the Re-
publican members of the legislator
were unanimously of the same feel
ing. there was not a dissenting
opinion among them. No amend
ment could otherwise have been
framed until 1903, and that could
not have been voted upon until
1904. This would have suited the
tax dodgers, but not the people.
Also the extra session was worth
in the education of the people on
tax matters vastly more than itcost.
The members and the public learned
more by the discussion thus forced
upon them than could have been
learned in any other way. Events,
therefore, are proving the wisdom
Of the Governor S action and he is
now every day receiving congratu-
lations and commendation from
those who are making the subject
more OF study.
| This amendment as to taxation
should be most carefully and fully
considered. 1t and the increased
gross earnings tax amendment are
the most important matters the peo-
pie will have to vote upon The
fact, too. that the person who does
not vote at all on the amendments.
in fact against them. should be i'm
pressed upon the voters. for it takes
a positive majority of all votes cast
to carry them. 1t is the policy of
the Republicans to have these
amendments discussed clearly The
party has nothing to fear from such
Idiscussion and every reason to
court it. The better the people un-
derstand the entire subject the more
careful the legislature will be to
follow their wishes and frame such
a law as this amendment contem-