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


ment inaugurated for retrenchment
and tax reform, Senator Newlands
gave the following report Of the pro-
ceedings OF the governor, lieutenant
governor, Senator Massey and himself,
under the request Of the Commercial
club, that they should appoint re-
trenchment and tax reform commit
tee, as follows:
IT am still OF the view," he said,
that we should reach a more perfect
system OF equalization of taxation
through q process Of evolution rather
than by any radical change. think
the state board OF assessors has done
fairly we'll think the railroad COM
mission has done we'll. think that
additional power should be given to
the state board of assessors OF equal
izing between counties, and realize
that there should be some organiza-
ton at Carson that could make inde-
pendent inquiry into the various as
sessments throughout the state with
a view Of bringing to the attention or
the state board Of assessors ineQuall-
ties of counties in the methods OF as
sessments. believe the railroad COM
mission would be admirably adapted
for this work, but the difficulty has
been suggested that In entering upon
this work they might enter upon an
unpopular task and that hostility
might be aroused which would make
effective a movement to do away with
the railroad commission. We all know
that such efforts have been In con-
temptation and If the performance OF
this new duty would affect the stabil-
ity of this commission, 1t might be
better to let the state board OF revenue
serve as a tax commission and collect
information to be presented to the
state board Of assessors. The objection
Is made that the state board Of assess
ors might, by arrangement among
themselves, hold to their respective
assessments without modification. But
my opinion is that q sound public
opinion would soon bring q refractory
state board of assessors to its duty,
or the recalcitrant members would be
gradually retired. I believe the best
possible method of bringing about
good public service is to bring to beer
on each public official, sound public
opinion.
Salaries for the Legislature
II feel strongly said Mr.. Newlands,
regarding the compensation of mem
bers of the legislature. AS stated In
my letter to Mr.. Tallman, I think the
future government of our state de-
ponds upon a properly compensated
legislature. No man of capacity can
afford to neglect his occupation and
run for the legislature for the compen-
sation now authorized by law. If we
would reduce the number OF our legis-
Iators e-half and give them q salary
of $1,000 for each session, regardless
OF the time taken by the session, we
would find that many capable men
would go 10 the legislature relying
upon the election OF other capable men
who would quickly transact the busi-
ness without delay. The compensa-
lion of $1,000 under the circumstances,
would be fair return for the expenses
II their campaign and the limited time
IF the legislative session. We would
thus have q body of experienced men
who could dispatch business quickly.
Proceeding, Senator Newlands, said,
II felt for some time, that action on
The lines of retrenchment and tax re-
form were necessary and that the state
really required a complete program OF
progressive legislation.
piokerson Administration
Shortly after Governor Sparks
death, and when the legislature was
about to meet, under date Of January
5, 1909, addressed letter to Govern
or Dickerson, In which gave my
views regarding the compensation, and
the number of members of the legis-
lature, the establishment OF legisla-
tive reference bureau, the perfection OF
q primary election law, and the rail-
1f0o
of assessments between counties,
Limitation Of the tax rate, the amend
ment Of the banking law, and the or
commission.
1T was my hope that this letter
would be brought to the attention OF
the legislature and be suggestive as
to lines Of progressive legislation.
Governor Oddie's Administration
Later on, under Governor 'oddie's
administration, when / found that
partisan differences were likely to
produce q deadlock in the legislature,
I sent letter to Hon. Clay Tallman,
then the senator from Nye county,
and an acknowledged leader OF the
state senate, urging that legislation OF
a non-partisan character should be
agreed upon that would be Of advan-
tage to the state.
II think 1t might interest your read
ers II this letter were published as 1t
relates to many questions which are
now under consideration"
Washington, d. c., Feb. 8, 1911.
Hon. Clay Tallman, Chairman Demo-
cratic State Central Committee,
Carson City, Nevada.
My Dear Sir:-For the next two
years at least the state administration
in Nevada will be one of divided re-
sponsibility--the executive offices be-
ing divided between the two parties
and the legislative branch being also
divided to such degree that only 1uch
legislation as 10 satisfactory to both
parties can be adopted. 1t 10 impor-
tant that the progressive movement
which has been so marked In Nevada
for many years, should not be retard-
cd, and that legislation Of a nom
partisan character should be agreed
upon which will be OF advantage to
the state, It is greatly to be desired
that political parties should not work
In such way as to produce dead
lock in. action; and In this view Il
seems to me that there ought to be
some understanding reached between
the republican governor and the re-
publican leaders of the one side and
tho dAmoCratic leaders tIDon the other