The Courier. (Genoa, Nev.) 1899-1904, 1903-01-23
AN IMPORTANT CAUCUS.
Irrigation; Ia4arion and Labor
Discussed.

Discussed.
Monday afternoon one of the most
important cauenses ever held in this
State gathered in.the Governors office.
The Fusion members of the Legisla-
ture, the party leaders, State officers
and prominent citizens were present.
Governor Sparks briefly addressed
those present ON the purpose of the
gather ng. 1t was to outline some
definite plan oflegislation which would
strengthen the party and benefit the
citizens of the State.
Francisco Newlands was introduced
and made a carefully considered adj
dress. He spoke of the fact that the
Fusion party had been elected by de-
cisive majorities pledged to certain
policy and that it rested with the Leg
islature to carry out those policies out
lined in the party platforms and to
enact such other legislation as would
benefit the whole people of the State.
The most important questions he
considered was Irrigation and Reve-
nue.. There was now an irrigation
fund of about $40, 900, 900 in the national
treasury which would constantly in
crease and great deal of it would be
spent in Nevada. 1t was important
that the Legislature of the State CO.
operate with the general government
in this great undertaking.
The speaker then outlined the plans
of the government regarding irrigation
in this State and pointed out the great
interests involved and the benefits to be
derived.
In conjunction with this plan of adj
ding to the tillable area of the State by
means of irrigation, it would be neces-
sary to provide for the coming of popu-
lation by lowering the present high
tax rate.
The tax agitation during the past
four years had resulted in an increase
in valuation of over S., 900, 900, and the
rate had been correspondingly lowered.
He complimented the State admins
tration on this splendid showing and
the party for the legislation which had
brought this state of affairs about. The
party had pledged the people a lower
tax rate and had kept its pledges. On
a platform pledging still further reduc-
ton it had achieved a signal victory at
the polls throughout the state.
He would suggest law which would
accomplish a gradual lowering of the
county and town rate to, say ten cents
on a hundred dollars per annum, which
would result in gradual raising of
valuations without injury to the tax
payers. If rates could be lowered in
this way, unless there was greater ex-
travagance in expenditures, the valua-
tions could be raised correspondence,
without causing any one to pay more
taxes than before
Mr.. Newlands also urged the literal
fulfllmeut of the party pledges regard
ing labor laws.
The speech occupied about half an
hour and was vigorously applauded.
Governor Sparks then called on the
counties in turn and each delegation.
The question of the needs of each
county was discussed and for two hours
there was general open debate on the
needs of the state and chiefly the reve-
nue. question. 1t was the general opin-
ion that the present law was a step in
the right direction but that it needed
amending in several respects, so as to
make the Assessors do their duty and
prevent County Boards of Equalization
from undoing it afterwards. Appeal.