The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1909-02-03
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 4, 1909.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 4, 1909.
IS TREASURE STATE MENACED
BY POVERTY
One of the problems that confront
the state administra alton is q threat.
eued deficit of funds that are necessary
for the proper conduct of the state
government. That is the Information
conveyed to the eleventh assembly by
Governor Norris, and Montana law
makers are requested to devise ways
and means by which this anticipated
afliction of poverty may be averted.
The trouble is due to the prosperity
OF Montana citizens whose property
10 subject to taxation. The assesssble
wealth Of the state promises to increase
rapidly during the next few years, its
total value next year. according to
the governors estimate, being likely
to pass the $500, 900 900 mark. Until
II reaches that figure the state tax
levy may remain atl2a mills, that rate
being permitted by the state constitu.
ton, but as soon az the total assessa-
BILE wealth exceeds $500, 000, 900, the
state levy must not be higher than II
mills.
Governor Norris submits that an
annual revenue OF s750,000 for state
purposes is provided by q tax
levy Of 2} mills upon q valuation Of
$500, 000. 900, but at q little higher
valuation the 1}-mill state levy will
GO into effect and produce an income
Of only about s450.000 for the state.
This anticipated shortage In the an.
nusl receipts Of the state treasury is
viewed with alarm, and the legislative
assembly Is advised that state institu.
lions which draw part OF their susie.
nance from that source may be seri-
ously embarrassed.
1t is proposed to meet the emergency
BY submitting q constitutional amend.
ment to the voters at the next election,
which will extend the operation OF the
present state tax levy of d mills, and
deprive Montana taxpayers of the re.
lief that would be afforded by the lower
tax levy guaranteed by the constitution
when the total assessment shall reach
$500, 00O. 900. A proposed amendment
of this nature was submitted at the
general election last Novem Der, and
~ rejected by q most decisive vote.
There is another and a more equita.
BILE method of solving the problem of
securing the necessary for
state purposes. Under a provision
of the constitution, mining property
is practically exempt from taxation,
the annual net proceeds of the mines
being the only part of the business
that 10 assessed-and q considerable
portion OF this c lass Of taxable prop
erty escaping taxation. This unfair
discrimination between Montana citi-
zen who own different classes of
property shouldIbe removed. It places
the burden Of expense of public gov.
eminent upon one class of citizens,
while another class is exempted from
that obligation. A man who has $780,
600 invested in mining property that
has no annual net proceeds does not
pay q cent of taxes; but his neighbor,
who may have q similar amount In.
vested In real estate, livestock OF some
other kind Of property from which
there is sometimes no profit whatever,
is required to pay taxes annually
upon the entire value of his invest
ment.
Why does not the state legislature
authorize the submission of 9 consti.
tutionsl amendment providing that
mining property shall be assessed in
the same manner as real estate, live
stock and other kinds of property?
If such an amendment were submitted
to the voters and adopted, the total
state assessment would soon be in.
creased to $500, 0O0, 900, an amount
wnlcn, AZ the lower TAX levy OF 1t
mills, would raise more state revenue
than the present assessment at the rate
of 24 mills.
The owner of mining property de.
rives just as much benefit from state
government as the Montana stockmen,
ranchmen and other owners of taxable
property, and should be required to
contribute his proportion toward the
expenses incident to the proper conduct
of public affairs. That is part of his
patriotic duty as q citizen Of the
Treasure state, and in justice to his
fellow citizens q change in the Mon.
tana tax laws ss above indicated
should be made.
SENATORS nv DIRECT VOTE