Weekly Arizona journal-miner., 1907-01-30
Editorial Comment
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

The message of Governor kihhcy, which was read to the members of the Twenty fourth Legislature, k broad. comprehensive aud interesting docu- mcnt. In expressing his views on var ious subjects. the Governor displays that fcarlcssucss which has been a notable and admirable characteristic of his administration.
 That section of thc message relating to Territorial finances k a message of good cheer to the taxpayers. For inc first time the Territory is on a cash basis. and there are no obligations due outside of the bonded indebtedness. To this subject of finance. the executive has evidently given studious consider alton. He recommends a tax levy to create redemption fund with which to retire s7s,O0O of q per cent bonds of 1888, and which can bc redeemed twenty years after their date of issue. The recommendation seems to be a wise one and should receive the ap. proval of the Legislature
 The recommendations of the Coy .rnor in favor of legislation for the improvement of the morals of inc Ter ritory are commcndablc, if they could be effected. We believe in progressive reform, aud mol in seeking to accom- plish too much at one time. Even the Creator took siX days-or six ages, ac- cording Co modern Biblical iDtcrprcta ton. tp create 'hc world, although in His infinite power and wisdom He could have completed inc work in one. sixth of the time. This is an age of evolution. of gradual development to- ward better things, aad to undertake to suddenly purify Arizona, tx a her cnlcan task liut thr Governor x mo lives arc unqucs,iuuahly right, laying aside for thc moment the question of their pracilcability at this time If even one of his recommendations m this respect, became operative through legislative enactment he will have made n record that will in itself be q crcditablc feature of his adminislra. ton.
 Referring to the question of the tax ation of mines, the message goes cx- haustiycly into the subject in cluri- dating inc efforts of thc l}onrd of Equalization to effect an equality of the burden of taxation to the end that the rich man, tho big producing com pani"s, shall pny in the sam" propor tion as the poor man. AS a result of this policy, thc Territorial tax rate has been reduced from o1 Co 1i cents, and the non.produccr has only been hurt in those counties where the Assessors cor the Boards of Supervisors thereof. hpd pursued policy of gross favorit.m to wards thc opulcnl owners of the large dividend paying mines. This portion of the message, especially, should he read by every citizen engaged in the mining industry, as it makes clear th, justice of inc policy that has been pur sued in relation to the taxation o mining properties. In fact, he sug gests that the mining property of th' Territory might be divided into tw, classes, which would enable thc equal izatiou boards to increase the valua ton of producing mines without bcini compelled to add the value to the non producing properties.
 The Governor deals with every d, par,mcnt of the government, giyin much valuable statistical information and making suggestions for improve mcnt where occasion for such exist After reading the document one ca hardly fail to be impressed with tn fact that the Territory is in spler did financial condition and that tn credit for it is due largely to wis and economical administration.