North Park union., 1902-02-07

p3OVlQSO luz tu0 GUheCkAVo ~ sAsV ASv~
nues Of the staee. 1t was \ law that
appealed to the people, irrespective
Of party, by It's equity and impartial
ity. Under Its provisions all persona
and all corporations were treated alike;
none received benefits and privileges
that were not accorded to all. 1t was
a law that was demanded by the
people, by the business interests, BY the
educational interests and by the Chart
able interests Of the state.
The law has been ruthlessly attack
ed In the courts by the corporations.
and the hands Of the administrators OF
the Affairs OF the state have been 90
effectively tied that they are unable to
proceed with the collection OF revenues
necessary to conduct our institutions
Of learning, our great bulwarks OF
American citizenship and freedom. Our
penal and charitable institutions are
now suffering for the want of funds
with which to properly conduct them.
While we do not for a moment con-
tend that the corporations do not at all
times have 4 perfect right and pr1vl.
ege to test the constitutionnlity and
validity Of legislative enactment, yet
their manner Of procedure has been
such as to delay the speedy determin'
alton Of the cause now pending before
the Supreme Court until the interests
of the state In the matter Of the assess,
ment and collection Of taxes have De-
come seriously Jeopardized. The Oil
atory tactics they have pursued are
more than convincing that they are en-
deavoring to escape their just proper
ton of taxation.
Since the passage Of the law we
have had ample opportunity anorded
us to determine Its practical enecuve-
ness, 1t may be that there are some
provisions contained therein that can
be improved upon, which Will add
very materially to Its efficacy. AS
whole, the law is most satisfactory
and have but one Recommendation IN
the way of change to make, and that
Is the provision providing for the as
sessment of mining property, whether
producing or non-producing. 1t seems
to me as though, when the assessing
powers of the state are required to
list and value the other property OF
the state at full cash value, that legis-
lation Of this kind, where the assessor
is compelled to tnkc one-fourth OF the
gross output for the year previous as
the value Of the property, that 1t Ger
talnly is class legislation. 1t is also
provided "tha hothing In this act con-
tanned shall be construed as giving
the assessor any right to assess nom
producing mining claim at a greater
sum per acre than Is assessed against
the lowest producing mine, or mining
claim, situated in the same locality"
thus taking away the authority OF the
assessor to use his own judgment and
discretion ms to its real and true value.
1t may be that such nOn-prOducing
claim may be actually worth thou
sands upon thousands Of dollars, yet
the assessor has no authority what
ever to assess 1t mt Its true worth. be-
Ing compelled to place an assessment
upon 1t Of not more than that placed
on the lowest producing claim or mine
in the same locality. 1t does not ap-
pear to me that this is just or right,
and I earnestly recommend this fea-
ture to the Assembly with the hope
that 1t may receive your thoughtful
attention and such remedy as may
suggest itself to you as being Just
and fair to our mining industry.
Next to the important duty OF pro-
viding for state revenues, Is the neces-
sity Of providing the proper protection
to that large class Of our citizens who
are compelled to undergo dangers and
hazards In the performance OF their
duties. They should have ample pro-
lection afforded them In n proper lia-
billty bill against the negligence they
are powerless to prevent, and OF
which they have no knowledge until
overtaken by some accident, and I
trust that the Senate will, rs speedily
as possible, remove the cloud that
now hangs over the employers liabil-
ity bill passed by the Thirteenth Gen
erar Assembly.
The people OF the western slope are
vitality Interested in the construction
and completion Of state canal No. 3.
The completion OF this canal will add
many beautiful homes and prosperous
citizens to our fair state, and l COM
mend to you such liberty Of judgment
and action as will cradle those who
have this work in charge to complete
their work at the earliest date practi-
cable.
As citizens of the state OF Colorado
we all take great interest and pride in
the worlds fair to be held in St. Louis
In 1903, to commemorate the Louisiana
purchase, of which Colorado formed q
part. 1t Is the desire that this state
shall make nn exhibit which shall sur.
pass that of nny OF our sister states
Our natural resources are such as to
enable us to make most gratifying
exhibit, and one that will attract the
attention of investors of capital, event
ually adding greatly to our material
welfare. Through some inadvertence
the Legislature, in passing liberal
appropriation for the purpose Of max
ing this exhibit, enacted that the funds
should be paid out by the treasurer on
vouchers drawn upon him. This pro
vision is In direct violation of the con-
stitutlon which provides that no money
shall be paid out of the state treasury
except on warrants drawn by the audi
tor. The manner of making this pay
ment has caused the commission a
great deal Of trouble and perplexity,
and has very materially hampered II
in its work, and trust that this special
session of the Legislature will 30
amend the act that the auditor Of state
may draw the warrants in the usual
and customary manner, thus avoiding
any confusion or difficulty in the fu-
ture.
In the matter Of constitutional
amendments l bespeak your earnest
consideration. This is an intricate mat
ter that will require your careful end
serious thought. Should you find that
any amendment has been proposed by
inadvertence or by reason Of Its char
acter and effect not being fully up