Graham guardian., 1907-02-01
"a NIGER IN THE WOOD PILE"


the passage of bullion tax. This
measure, being pressed by the
large mining companies just at
this time, is certainly significant.
The legislature should look into
this matter carefully and find the
cause of this sudden reform" on
the part of the mining companies
before taking any action in the
matter.
We wish to call the legislators
attention TO the fact that for years
the people have demanded bull
lion tax, believing that such a
measure would result in the min
ing companies paying an honest
tax. Every bill on this line has
been killed by paid lobby of the
big companies. This was before
any attempt had ever been made
by the assessors and boards of
equalization to assess the produc-
ing mines at something near what
they should be. Since that has
been done and it Is seen that they
must pay a hotter tax, the big
mining companies, and especially
those of Cochise county, are clam
oring for bullion tax, Is there
any one so foolish as to believe
that if bullion tax would increase
the taxes Of the mining companies
that they would advocate it? We
think not.
There is no more reason for tax
ing the output of the mines than
there is to tax the output of the
farm, the store, the railroad, bank |
or any other concern. With the
amendment recommended by Gov.
Kibbey, empowering the assessor
to ascertain the output of the
mines, we have plenty of law to
properly assess every mine in the
territory, All it requires is for
the assessors and boards of equali-
cation to do their duty.
1t will be rememb bered that
representatives of the mining com
panies tried hard to get a plank
in the democratic platform, framed
at Bisbee in the territorial con-
yention, favoring bullion tax.
This was defeated both in caucus
and in committee. 1t was sat
down on hard by the democracy
Of the territory, for that party be.
Iieves in equal taxation and every.
body knows that at present the
mines are paying better tax than
ever before and will continue to do
30 under an honest and intelligent
of the present laws,
with slight modification. The
overwhelming defeat of this plank
IN convention should be instruction
enough for the democratic mem.
bers of the legislature to defeat
.he bill when presented.
1t is claimed by some news
papers that bullion tax would
ret more revenue from the mines,
out at the same time they admit
hat it may not do so at first and
nay have TO be amended by sue.
,eediDg legislatures. We know
hat q bullion tax would not get as
much revenue as is now received
rom the mines. We know, too,
hat once bullion tax is placed
lpon the statutes, that it will never
,e amended to create more reve.
Tue than 1t first provides for. The
will sec to that. If
IN amendment should be proposed
n a succeeding legislature bywhich
he territory would receive more
evenue, it would require a ma
ority vote of both houses to carry
t. " would not be difficult mat,
er for the corporations to elect
even members of the council
to their interests, and
hey would do it, and control the
natter.
More than this, we believe law
f this nature would prove uncon-
No law can become
perative if it is in conflict with
be organic act. This act does not
ermit of special legislation, and a
ullion tax Law would undoubtedly
e special legislation. 1t is argued
bat because some of the states are
perating under bullion tax that
.rizons can pass similar laws.
tut this is not correct. Each one
these states specially provides