Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1912-08-20
Q the people that they would prefer

to the people that they would prefer to money.
 Gut down expenses was the rem- edy advocated by MT. Robinson in his campaign for the gubernatorial nomi- nation, and l sincerely hope he will be able when inaugurated to remove the. financial difficulties of the state ly this best plan However, when we cins der that the present governor has vetoed more than one million in appropriations, much of which but for the shortage of revenue he would not have vetoed, and the State is still on scrip basis, it may be found that unless he extends the cutting of expenses to the extent of abolishing some of it's institutions, which he would hardly want to do, the remedy must be sought further.
 Raising of Assessments.
 "The second best plan would be to raise assessments until valuation is reached from which the present rate i would produce sufficient revenue for the needs of the state. This plan 1 would be most praiseworthy and just
 70 lcng as valuations are less than ! 100 per cent that long an injustice will be done the small property own- CT Our constitution and every reve- nue statute have purposed 100 per cent assessment hut it has never been l accomplished. One reason for this failure, is that under a fixed rate, the l amount l pay in taxes is not affected l by the amount you pay or should pay. ] You should pay more than you do, perhaps, and I may know you should, put since my amount is not increased by your dereliction I pass your short coming by. But would I do so if my taxes were raised in proportion to your default?
 l Sliding Scale Proposed. l "These remedies both failing, the one remaining remedy is to raise the rate, on a sliding scale. This would help cut down expenses, for a legis- lator will weigh we'll and hesitate long on any appropriation bill when he realizes that when he votes for 1t, he as certainly votes tax on the people to pay the appropriation. He could not satisfy the petitioners for the bill by voting the appropriation and at the same time set himself right with it's opponents by telling them their taxes would be raised. Nor could he proclaim himself progres- sive and broad minded and a heap big booster filled with state pride and enterprise, and at the same time heap abuse upon auditors and governors l for not providing funds to meet h s generous expenditures.
 l "The sliding scale would tend to l equaliZe and raise assessments. bring ing relief to the smaller taxpayers. I Ii I know that the rate on my prop erty will be raised or lowerd accord ing to whether ycu give in your assess ment high or low, I would have an incentive to see that you come up with your share. I believe there are many men who have always given in their property at 100 per cent or 50 per cent according to the requirements of the assessor, but they have not insist ed upon their neighhors doing the 1 same.
 Would Go Upon Cash Basis.
 Under sliding scale, the state would at once go upon cash basis, which is not only economical but common justice to all It would be calculated accurately that the amount of revenue to be derived from any par ticular levy would be sufficient to meet the appropriations of the last preceding legislature. It would be necessary for the legislature to make an appropriation to cover all out standing obligations, which would clean up the existing deficit.
 'It is the opinion of some that a separate levy should be made for each account of state expenses, for ex- ample, One-quarter mill for the Uni versity, which would relieve the legis- lature from considering the amount appropriated for each year. I feel sure this would be found disappoint- ment to it's friends. The legislature and while the quarter mill might he sufficient one year it might be excess i've or insufficient another.
 Of the many suggestions offered the sliding scale, as I believe, is the l only one that insures a permanent