The Harrison times., 1911-09-09

missioners, realizing that II is a
most imp rtant question that will
continue to cause no erd of confus-
ION unless properly determined in
the courts. This is being done, by
the commissions act in placing
high assessment upon the street rail-
way, the water company, and the
gas company, and demanding that
Assessor Moore certify out that in
stead of his own assessment. The
Assessor refused and the commission
threatened to bring action for man
damus to force him to do so. While
they were preparing this suit, Mr..
Moore certified his assessments to
County Clerk Vogler, aod the COM
mission then proceeded against the
county clerk in a suit for Injunction.
The object of the suit is to determine
the validity of the act.
Acknowledgement Norwood, ap-
pearing for the state, assumes pos
ition directly antagonistic to the
governor and the Tax Commission,
by filing a demurrer, contending
that the act is not and never has
been in effect and that the people
cannot be deprived of the right un-
der the constitution to express their
opinion on the subject. Further
more, he contends that if such suit
were to be brought, it is the pro-
vince of the Attorney-General and
not the Commission, to institute it,
and that such suits seek to prevent
county officials from the transaction
of their sworn duty.
The controversy has brought
about the interesting spectacle of
the only two avowed candidates for
governor, Robinson and Norwood,
joining hands in fighting the bill,
while the third possible candidate,
Gov. Donaghev, is making hard
fight for the bill and against its ref
erence.
SAYS He Is Nor INCONSISTENT
Gov. Donaghey has been accused of
being inconsistent in opposing the
reference of the act to the people.
He insists that he is not. He favor
ed the |. & X. but he SAYS that fact
did not force him to be in favor of
the submission of every act that
should be passed to the popular
vote. 1t required two-thirds of the
vote to adopt the |. & r. amend
ment, but 1t requires only five per
cent to submit a question. ltwould
appear then, that 81 per cent of the
people might be classed as incon-
sistent. He does not fear submis-
sion, but contends that it is unneces-
sary and would only complicate
matters. He says others admit
present laws are not responsible for
present conditions, and he denies
that any charge of extravaganza
can be sustained, as he has himself
during the last two years vetoed
over a million dollars appropria-
tions,
Attorney-General Norwood says
that "Our present laws regulating
the assessment and collection of tax.
es are not responsible for the present
condition. and charges it TO faulty
administration. The people do not
mind paying any reasonable amount
of taxes TO meet the just expenses of
the state" said he, but they want
you to tell them plainly how much
is wanted, and for what purpose it
has been or will be spent. They do
not like to have their money taken
away by circuitous route, and un-
der the pretense that their taxes are
being reduced.
This talk that the bill cannot be
submitted to the people is all rot"
he continues. ut makes no differ
ence that the Turner acobson bill
was signed before the enabling act,
because the amendment was selt-eX-
ecuting.'
One of the principal reasons ad-
vanced against submission is that
of expense, and Gen, Norwood de-
clares that no right remedy in mat
ters of government is ever too ex'
pensive. "The people cannot be fool
ed They soon catch on to the man
who rides a hobby for political pur-
poses, and then tries to bluff them
out of their rights, when they en-
deavor to secure some practical re-
suits"
RoBlNsoN's PoslTIoN.
Congressman Robinson has also
come out openly in opposition to the
bill and for its submission to the
people, branding the act as "unnec-