Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1912-12-20
NeWIands Explains RetrencI1ment PIar

tial that every legislative body should
have able lawyers In It
trust that you viii see your way
clear to urge this reform.
Legislative References Bureau
In q number Of the states, notably
In Wisconsin. there has been establish
ed . legislative reference bureau,
whose work It Il to furnish members
Of the legislature with data for tho
study OF public questions and to give
expert aid In the framing Of laws. The
work performed by these bureaus has
been 30 remarkable that It has attract
ed wide attention and the plan IL being
rapidly extended. Among the docu-
ments which am mailing you IL .
copy Of an address by Robert Snod-
grass, president Of the Pennsylvania
Bar association, which gives the his
tory and workings Of this movement.
It seems to me It would be an excel
lent idea II such a bureau could be
established In Nevada, to help the
members Of the legislature to inform
themselves on the legislation OF other
states and to keep them In touch with
current movements for progressive
legislation.
Primary Election Law
Our party is pledged to a. direct
primary for the nomination OF candi-
dates. am told that one OF the best
laws on this subject has been passed
by the legislature Of Oregon. I find,
however, In discussing the matter with
senators and others from the various
states, that q very serious inconven-
fence is found in the matter Of expense
to candidates.; for, under this system,
they are compelled to undergo the ex-
Pense, first OF the primary election,
and, second, Of the general election. It
Is also insisted that many men of
merit who are also modest are practi-
cally excluded from consideration, for
the reason that, under the direct pri-
mary, every candidate must be an ag-
gressive candidate, presenting his own
name and making his own fight, and
that the oftentimes wiser action of a
convention in looking up a candidate
and urging man whose modesty is
as marked as his merit to allow his
name to go before the convention, is
impossible under the direct primary
system.
call your attention to this, as It is
possible that the legislature may deem
1t best to give the parties the privilege
OF exercising their choice as to nomi-
nation by direct primary or by con-
Vention; providing, however, for the
selection Of the members of the con-
vention by a direct primary, to be held
by both parties on the same day at the
public expense. OF course, we believe
In keeping all power, as near as pos
sible, In the hands of the people; but
thus far no entirely satisfactory sys-
tenn OF nomination by direct primary
has been established. The evils COM
planned of are, the utilization Of voters
belonging to the opposing party, the
great expense, and the difficulty Of
obtaining as candidates that most de-
siraole class OF men who have to be
pushed into public life by the urgent
demands OF their fellow citizens.
Board of Equalization
It has been suggested that Nevada
needs a state board OF equalization. II
VIII be recalled that some years ago
Dill was passed providing for a
state board OF equalization, which at
tempted to equalize, not only as be-
tween counties but also as between In
dividuals. It was an excellent board
but Its action became SO unpopular az
to force repeal Of the act Later on
the state board OF assessors was or.
ganized the purpose being to give
them the power Jointly to assess the
railroads, public utilities, and certain
other classes Of property, 80 as to
secure uniformity throughout the state.
II Is complained that their action has
not been attended by the study and
aeiperation that was expected; that
they meet, hurriedly consider the mat
ters entrusted to them, and adjourn.
whist this criticism may be deserved.
II ls undoubtedly true that the assess
ment or the railroads has been grad
ually increased and equalized, under
ibis process. The railroad assess
ment mas been increased, on the aver
age bO per cent since this board was
lhaugurated, and this, too without
mucn increase In the total taxes; for
the increased assessments have been
accompanied by reduction in the rate
OF taxation, forced gradually by the
acts Tor the reduction of county and
to"h ana city taxation (statutes Of
1903, pp. 1o7 and 215). The great evil
unoer which. we were suffering was
that the railroads were assessed by the
iocaI assessors varying amounts Der
mile IN the various counties; that in
some counties the assessment upon all
property was made ridiculousiy low.
In order to evade payment the state
ITSELF the proper proportion of taxea.
such counties were willing to have q
high tax rate In order to avoid paw
ing their just proportion Of taxes TO
the state. This vicious system has
been, In q measure, corrected, but re-
quires still further correction. and I
would suggest that It would be much
better to remedy these things by a
gradual process OF evolution: rather
than by q radical change in the exist
ing law. 1t might be wise to give this
poard OF assessors the power to in
quire Into the assessment Of any
county and whatever the assessment In
below the general average of ASSESS
ment throughout the state to add Ia
the total assessment of that county n
percentage which would bring Il up TO
equality OF proportion to the rest of
the state. This might work an In
Justice upon some individuals already
Iairly assessed, but in the end the local
authorities would be compelled to
make the assessment proportionate and.
IN doing 80, they would doubtless have
in view the principle of equalization,
II seems to me that amendments
might be made to the act, with advan-
tage, providing for the state board Of
assessors, as follows:
1. An amendment giving the board
-