The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1911-12-04
WRITES IN
BEHALF Of
TAXPAYER
G0Vsrn0r Lee Cruce Addresses
County Excise Boards UTg-
ing Lower lavIes

iuk LuW0I luVtVo
Governor Cruce has addressed lei
ter to the excise boards ot the variou
counties OF Oklahoma calling atten
tion to the prevailing cray of migl
taxes and urging that estimates 10
appropriations be made with the viey
OF the strictest economy be practicet
in the conduct OF public atfahs. Th'
letter follows.
To the Excise Boards of the State
SO many letters have been reaching
me from various sections OF the stat,
complaining that the ak levy il
amounting 10 a practical conliscatioi
Of property that ! deem II my dut!
TO address you this letter nsthe In
terest Of the taxpayers Of Oklahoma
My apology for this action on ny
part IS Section 1875 of Runn's CQnsti
! tntiOn OF iAc state OF Oklahoma
which reads as follows
The supreme executive power shal
DC vested in chief magistrate. wh he
shall be styled The Governor Of the
STATE OF Okldhonla.
While the governor by this section
Of the c institution is designated as
the chief executive authority in the
state. the laws of the state have not
placed in his hands the power to deal
adequately with the administration
Of affairs OF government; therefore
his acts must be largely in an advis.
DRY capacity.
The prevalent idea that the govern
or is responsible for high tax levies
and has the power to reduce them is
entirely erroneous. The entire au-
thority cf the governor in the matter
Of levying taxes is contained in the
law designating him as a member of
the state board OF equalization Ia
Doard composed of seven state off
cials, the powers of which are limit
ed to levying taxes fer state purpos-
es Ninety per cent OF all taxes paid
in this state are levied by local coun-
ty, municipal and district officials. 1t
is thus apparent that whatever relief
is given TO the taxpayer must come
largely from these local officials.
Economy is Needed.
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 ex-
lists at this time For three consecu-
tive 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 eXpens-
es Of living has been corresponding
ly limited
Imbned with the Oklahoma spirit
Fl dare and do, our people, with
ut proper consideration in all in.
have encumbered the tax.
Dawers with many debts; these debts
must be paid; the only way to pay
them is to gather the money in the
form OF taxes from the people of the
state. The interest on these debts
IS fixed charge that can not be re-
inced, and the only relief from the
eXactions of government that can be
given to the people must come byye-
lucing the ordinary current expens-
IS OF government.
u feel it is incumbent upon every
department. Of government state.
county. municipal and district. to re
luce to the very lowest possible i'm.
Is consistent with efficient govern
nent, the expenses theron Every
'ifieial that can possibly be dis pens
ID with without impairing the admin
stration Of the peoples affairs.
should be dispersed with, and no
nan should be kept np0n the payroll
u any district, county or Of the STATE
simply as a reward for political ser.
fees, personal friendship or other.
Fise- unless II appears that the posi-
he occupies is necessary one
md there is returned 10 the people
Il actual service the fun value Of the |
he receives from them. |
state Bbard's Valuation Raise.
The state board OF equalization, in |
ne discharge OF It's sworn duty made |
many Increases in the valuations or |
property in this state, the total run
ling about four hundred millions OF |
Iollars, or nearly fifty per cent ad- |
'ance over the original return. In |
many localities. in distributing this
aise. the local officials, without re-
,ard to the advice OF the attorney |
eneral, have applied percentage
'asis in the distribution of the raise
nd in every county where this pol
cy is being pursued some men are
aving to pay more than their snare
f the taxes.
It was the duty of the county
card of equalization. under the op-
Mon OF the attorney general. to dis I
fibute this raise equitably and to
pply It in instances where the prop
rty had aot already been assessed
[ its actual value Ii has a;so Deea
rought to my attention that in many
cunties the excise boards have for b
u LEGAL purposes levied the maximum 1.
mount provided for by the laws of
his state; and the complaint is made !
lat in many counties the levy made
far in excess of the legitimate I
eeds for governmental purposes. 1t t
ccurs TO me that it is the plain duty !
the excise boards in cases where {
le levy has been made upon the has. i
OF the original rendition OF prop {
rty to reform that levy and make IL Z
imply with conditions after the Id
ate equalization hoard made its
Use, and where the assessment in {
ny county or district has been raised q
} an amount equal to fifty per cen, \
the original rendition, ,aen the +
Wy in that district should be one O
Iird less than n was under the old
'ndition. II this policy were pur-
led in every county in the state the
tai amount of taxes gathered would
1t be in excess of the maximum linn r