The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1910-10-26
Republican County Ticket.
FOR LOWER TAXES.

Assuming that the defeat OF the pro.
posed constitutional amendment relat-
ing to the tax levy will cause fin n
embarrassment to the state, and that
It is q patriotic duty to avoid such q
contingency, most of the Montana
newspapers are urging the voters to
favor the proposed amendment. The
Yellowstone Journal, however, looks
1t the matter from the Taxpayers view.
point, and makes this sensible com.
ment upon the proposition:
II is . fact worthy Of notice, and
confederation, IL you are . thinking
person. that the people who are most
solicitous for the success of the cor.
stitutionsl amendment boosting the
state tax levy, are the people to be
Immediately benefited. That of course
is not strange. It is human nature to
assist and further any scheme that
will benefit you at the expense of your
neighbor, especially II It is OF q kind
that al be labelled, "pro bono pub
lico." But 1t is also human nature
for the neighbor to object, more or
less, when he gets to understand that
the ''publico" part Of it is somewhat
limited and conferred.
The d mill tax that we have been
paying and that We pay this year.
will produce this year on the states
assessed valuation Of $500, 600, 900, in
round figures $3.50, 900. The promoters
of this scheme cay that amount is
necessary for present needs, but cup.
pose the assessed valuation should in
the next year or two 60 to S400, 900, 900,
as it may If other boards of equaliza.
ton follow the lead of Custer county.
Then the yearly yield from this one
source will be 81, 900, 900. Will it be
argued that this addition of $780, 900
will be needed.
In q year or two more the assessed
valu alton may reach $500, 000, 900, and
the d mill levy applied to this will
produce 81. 250, 900. Think OF that,
and then think that when in five or six
years the assessed valuation reaches
$500, DOC, 900, the state tax levy now
proposed will wiring q million and q
halt q year out of the taxpayers, to
say nothing OF other and very con.
siderable PURGE of revenue. Except
In the control OF very level.headed Of
6cials, such q evenu would invite q
saturnalia of reckless extravaganza,
aud possible graft and dishonesty.
One year nor Of the q mill tax would
have been accorded without much op.
position; but five or six? Never!
The amendment must be beaten o,
we will never get to that condition O.
actual need in our state finances whel
1t will be necessary for those charged
with the duty OF financing the state
affairs to make earnest and diligen
inquiry into the constitutional condi
tions that practically prohibit taxation
OF the mines. 1t needs nothing shor
of a pinching year to direct public at
tention tc this preposterous conditiol
of aft airs. We have shown that tn
farms and the ranges now pay two
thirds of the state tax and have les
than a majority representation in tn
only body that can start a movemer
for a fair adjustment of this onerou
condition. What issto be done? Firs,
cut off the supplies by beating thi
amendment. Next get the reappo,
tionment of representation that wi
upset this jug-handled legislative COZ
dition, and then submit to the popula
vote an amendment to the constitutio
that will have to do with Sec. 3 of Ar
XII Of that 60cumenk.