The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1911-12-04

on the question of excessive taxation.
The following is the letter:
December l, 1911,
To the Excise Boards of the State
Gentlemen: So many letter have
been reaching me from various sec
tions of the state, complaining that the
tax levy is amounting to a practical
confscation of property that deem it
my duty to address you this letter in
the interest of the taxpayers of Okla
homa.
My apology for this action on my
part is section 1875 of Bunn's Constitu-
tion of the state of Oklahoma, which
reads as follows;
The supreme executive power shall
be vested in chief magistrate, who
shall be styled The Governor of the
state of Oklahoma"
While the governor by this section
of the constitution is designated as
the chief executive authority in the
state, the laws of the state have not
placed in his hands the pawer to deal
adequately with the administration of
affairs of government; therefore his
acts must be largely in an advisory
capacity.
The prevalent idea that the COVER
nor is responsible for high tax levies
and has the power to reduce them is
entirely erroneous. The entire auth
ority of the governor in the matter of
leyying taxes is contained in the law
designating him as a member of the
state board of equalization-a board
composed of seven state cials the
powers of which are limited to levying
taxes for state purposes. Ninety per
cent of all taxes paid in this state are
levied by local, county, municipal and
district officials. 1t is thus apparent
that whatever relief is given to the
taxpayer must come largely from these
local officials.
\ At no time in the history of Okla
homa has there been a greater need
for economy in the administration OF
the affairs of government than exists
at this time. For three consecutive
years the crops grown in this state
have been attended with more or less
failure and the ability of the people
to meet the ordinary expenses of liv-
ing has been correspondingly limited.
Must Pay Debts.
Imbued with the Oklahoma spirit OF
dare and do" our people, without
proper consideration in all instances
have incumbered the taxpayers with
many debts; these debts must be paid
the only way TO pay them sto gather
the money in the form of taxes from
the people of the state. The interest
on these debts is fixed charge that
cannot be reduced, and the only relief
from the exactions of government that
can BE given to the people must come
by reducing the ordinary current ex
lpenses of government.
| feel it is incumbent upon every de
partment of government, state, county
municipal and district to reduce to
the very lowest possible limits consis
tent with efficient government, the ex
lpenses thereof. Every official that
can possibly be dispensed with with
out impairing the administration of the
peoples affairs, should be dispensed
with, and no man should be kept upon
the payroll of any district, county OF
of the state simply as reward for po
litical services, personal friendship OF
otherwise-unless it appears that the
position he occupies is a necessary one
and there is return to the people in ac
Itual service the full value of the com
lpensation he receives from them.
The state board of equalization, in
the discharge of its sworn duty, made
many increases in the valuations OF
property in this state; the total run
lining about $4OO,OOO0OO, or nearly 90
per cent advance over the original re-
turn. In many localities, in distribut
ling this raise, the local officials, with
out regard to the advice of the attor
lney general, have applied percent
age basis in the distribution of the
raise, and in every county where this
policy is being pursued some men are
having to pay more than their share
of the taxes.
1t was the duty of the county board
of equalization, under the opinion oi
the attorney general to distribute this
lraise equitably, and to apply 1t in in
Il stances wnere the property had moi
already been assessed at its aetua
value. 1t has also been broug I to m,
attention that in many counties the
excise boards have for all local pur
poses elvied the maximum amount pro