, 1907-01-09
MESSAGE.

to its readers the governors message
in full. 1t is a careful, comprehensive
and able resume of the business Of the
state and in 1t the Legislature will find
much food for thought and many rec
concentrations of great value. Three
propositions stand out in bold relief
railroad taxation, state repositories and
primary elections-and the people of
the state will be with the governor
upon all these matters.
In the matter of railroad taxation the
governor says he has had Attorney
General Mullen investigating the ques'
ton Of railroad taxation in the sur
rounding states and has found that
Wyoming is not up to the standard In
this respect. 1t would be fair, in the
judgment Of The Republican, to tax the
railroads In Wyoming on a basis equal
to their taxation in the surrounding
states. They would not complain about
this treatment and the people would
be better satisfied. The governor says 1t
is for the legislature to determine what
steps are necessary in order to equal
ize the burdens of taxation, but is II
entirely for the Legislature? Much must
be left for the judgment of equalt'
cation boards. No matter what kind
of revenue law the Legislature may
pass, in the eud il must be left to the
Judgment of the boards. OF course
he legislature might fix a different
plan of taxation, suca as listing for
taxation all the different kinds of prop
erty owned by the companies, such as
cars, engines, etc, but there is no
question but that a higher rate of tax.
alton may be levied and collected uh'
der the present law.
Referring to the proposed depository
law. the governor appears to be of the
opinion that it should extend not only
to state deposits, nj to county city and
school district deposits as well. This
plan is certainly contemplated by the
constitution. If 1t is a good thing, then
it should be applied to all public mon
eys. OF course. If certain districts,
cities or counties are compelled to Dor.
row at times. possibly the interest they
would pay would equal the income
when they had money In the treasury,
but they would be getting something
in their prosperity with which to meet
their obligations in times of adversely
With the many examples throughout
the nation to follow, the legislature
ought not to make N mistake in the
matter of a state depository law.
The matter of primary elections has
not been tried for so very many years
Pennsylvania has such a law,
as well as Wisconsin,, Indiana
and Illinois. 1t is unquestionable
that such a law comes nearer
voicing the sentiment of the en-
tire people. Under its operation mem,
bers Of one party ann take part in
the primaries Of another party. An.
other advantage is that the burden of
the elections IS put upon the entire
community instead of upon the men
who run for office, thus making it
easier for candidates. The entire ex-
pense of holding the primaries is paid
from the public treasury just the same
as the election expenses are paid I'M
der the present system.
The governor favors a burden of pub.
licity and urges that the publication of
the pamphlet, state of Wyoming"
be continued. He believes we should
have a larger share of the immigration
that has been pouring into the west.
A continuation of the wolf bounty is
urged. and the executive believes an
increase in the bounty is desirable.
He would make the reward for killing
wolves 81 and for killing coyotes s1.25
The Republican has always held to the
view that the richest and most pros
porous industry in the state should
bear its own burdens, but presumes
that the bounty bill, rs usual, will be
one of the first to pass the legislature.
The taxpayers Of the cities and towns
maintain their own fire departments
their police departments, their streets
and alleys, pay a very much higher
school tax, go down in their pockets for
country roads and bridges, and then on
top of this are asked to pay for the
killing of wolves, although they are
perhaps not making one-half the rate
Of interest upon their Investments the
stockmen are. There Is absolutely
no justice in the system n it has
been given up by all other states, but
We presume Wyoming will have to
carry it along just the same.
The compilation of the laws of wy
oming is favored by the governor. The
present revised statutes cover the
laws up to n including the legisla-
tive session of 1899. Governor Brooks
believes that a new compilation should
be made covering the present session
of the legislature and that of 1909. He
favors a proposition of The Laramie
Republican company mr. a similar one
to compile and annotats the statutes.