Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1910-11-11

stricken out and many states are try
ing to strike them out in order to
reach for taxation such intangible sub
jects of revenue as inheritances, rail-
road valuations. These words "uni-
form and equal taxation" are the most
objectional words that can be writ
ten into the constitution. If there is
man in this convention who repre-
sents special interests, his voice would
be the first in protest against strik-
/ ing out these words. But fortunately,
there are no such representatives of
special interests in this convention.
The clause proposed by the commit
tee would prevent the taxation of in
tangible property; would prevent the
levying of an income tax, of an inherit
ance tax. "You must not put the
words according to their value in this
section" for it would prevent the levy
| ing of license taxes. The address of
Mr. Dougherty was a masterpiece OF
cogent reasoning and the clearest pre-
sentation of the fundamentals oil the
subject of taxation that has been pre-
sented thus far to the convention.
J. M. Cunningham said that the best
minds in America have been directed
to the solution of the problem of
taxation and they have not yet de-
vised a perfect plan of taxation. He
told of the labors of the committee,
it's endeavor to present the best plan
that could be devised and be denied
vehemently the charge of H. B. Fer
gusson that any single interest has
been especially protected by the com-
mittee in it's report. He does not be-
| 1ieve that virtue, honesty and integri-
ty will perish from the earth with the
members of the constitutional conven-
ton although he believed that each
member is honest and sincere. If
these attributes should pass away
then "God save poor old New Mexico!"
Something should be left to future
legislatures.
J. G. Roberts said that any delegate
who has listened to the argument
made by H. M. Dougherty, and would
still insist on retaining the original
section in preference of the Cunning
ham must be very dense indeed.
A. A. Sedillo resented the insinua-
ton of Fl. B. Ferguson that the COM
mittee had been partial in drawing
its reports. Il do not believe that
Mr.. Ferguson has given one hours
| thought to this important subject" He
advised him to read 'Cooley on Taxa
ton" He cited the example of the
Oklahoma constitution and of 81 9th
er states. 'I am of the same opinion
as Mr. Dougherty that it is better
not to have anything in the constitu-
] tion," but If something must be writ
| ten into the fundamental law, the
Cunningham substitute is the best
that can be devised.
A. B. Fall said he came to the con-
vention with the idea that every
member would seek to write the best,
most just and most acceptable constr
/ tuition that his intelligence permitted.
He deplored therefore the insinuations
that some delegates had been sent to
Santa Fe by special interests. Des-
pite the alleged use of the steam roll
Ter and the holding of Republican con-
iferences, there hasn't been a report
from the majority that hasn't been
torn to pieces and amended on the
floor of the convention; that the full
est privilege has been given to the
minority to debate and amend all
propositions.
| G. r. Brice rose to say that he has
absolutely no suspicion against any
i member of the convention. He said
1 that H. M. Dougherty had explained
very clearly, fully and logically the
reasons for leaving out the words
uniform and according, to market
value' The section as originally
! written would prevent the levying or
occupation taxes and SO would the
i amendment offered by G. r. Brice.
j The Cunningham substitute is In ac-
cord with modern and progressive tax
4 alton methods. The substitute fol-
l lows the Oregon constitution.
i e. B. Field said that he had been
\ fully convinced by the logical argu-
lment of H. M Dougherty although
!, he had taken a different view but an
4 hour before. The words according
!, to valuation" should be stricken out.
i The Cunningham amendment was
| adopted.
i The convention took recess to 2:3O
O'Clock p. m.
j, Afternoon Session.
j, The way that the debate on the sub
i ject OF taxation is dragging out, 1t is
Il feared that the program that meant
to dispose of all articles except those
i on miscellaneous provisions and on
I apportionment and the final revision
y (Continued on Page Eighty