The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1912-01-12
WE ARE HOT AFTER THE JACK
RABBITS.

The attention of the people of Ida
no is now conferred on the coming ses
sion of the legislature. Whether o.
not the legislature will pass the bill.
proposed by Governor Hawley's spe
cial committee is seriously doubted BY
the leading men OF tn. state. The leg
islature will undoubtedly make a
great many changes in the proposed
measures. The feeling exists general.
ly that the legislature will hardly
enact into law measures already mixed
and baked. Legislative bodies are
generally jealous of their prerogatives
They will not stand for usurpation by
the executive or his agents. What the
coming session will do, if it does
anything, is question that time alsne
can tell. The special committee has
offered some radical changes in the
revenue laws of the state. Some of
The suggestions are good, or at least
an improvement on the present reve-
nue. laws. The tax commission pro-
posed is a most radical departure. and
the powers given this COMMISSION
should make the legislature pause.
This commission as proposed will
have absolute power in all matters of
assessment and taxation. 1t can
equalize assessments not only between
counties but also between commune
ties and even individuals in the same
county. 1t can pry into the books,
accounts and private affairs of the
company or individual in manner not
now possible by any authority in the
state. 1t can virtually remove from
Office county officers. If the measure
should be enacted into law the county
officials will be responsible to an ire
sponsih,e commission and not to the
people from whom they derive author
ity and by whom they are elected. 1t
IS the most radical departure ever pro-
posed in this state. The Tribune be-
lieves commissiott with such power
and authority a most dangerous insti-
luton to fasten upon the people of
Idaho. Other proposed laws are radi-
cal changes but none of them approach
the commission. There is no use in
going hog wild over commissions.
Under the proposed laws a man
could be worth millions Of dollars and
escape taxation. His
house. household furniture. musical
instruments. diamonds. and jewelry,
moneys. bank accounts, notes, mort
cages, state, county and municipal
bonds and warrants, and also his tax
are exempt. The widow, the
orphan and the old soldier get off with
thousand dollar exemption, provid.
ID they do not claim exemption on
their little home. and are not worth
over 5000. If worth 5000 they can
get $1,000 exemption as a widow. Or
'han or old soldier; or. they can get
$500 exemption on their house. Peo-
'le. and especially widows, orphans
Ind old soldiers. worth only $5OOO.OO,
seldom live in houses worth more
han 100000. So that in any event
$1,000 is the limit, unless of course.
hey are loaded up with diamonds.
'toeks and bonds, city warrants and
Ak deeds. cash on hand and money in
he bank
The really good things about the pro-
'osed measures are making the county
reasurer tax collector; taxation of
'neultivated land. which is usually
'eld for speculative purposes; and the
uthority granted the commissioners
o rid the state of grasshoppers and
aekrabbits. For the pleasure of pav-
ng your money to the county tr.as-
rer instead Of to the county assessor
nd in order to get rid of the crick-
IS on your hearth. the state will be
ut to an expense of from twenty To
tty thOuAaud dollava Al