The Idaho Republican., 1912-02-02
TURNS FULL LIGHT ON TROU
BLES IN THIS STATE
(Statesman)

(Statesman)
Peter G.. Johnson of Bingham
county, Republican floor leader in
the house, took strong grounds
against the passage of the tax COM
mission bill. In a speech, delivered
with all his accustomed force and
vigor, he said
''1n stating my opposition to this
bill now under consideration, which
proposes tax commission, | want it
distinctly understood that I offer no
criticism on the action or vote of any
member of this house. Each of us
is vested with authority to act free
and independent, and in the exercise
of that freedom we are answerable
alone to our constituents and oats
of office.
'There are things about the forma-
ton of this bill and it's hasty consid-
Grafton to which I object, and which
as a member of this house, I deem
it my duty in the exercise of my per-
sonal privilege to refer to.
Pulling and Hauling
"I have served three terms in this
legislature, and in the course of that
time have seen a great deal of pull
ing and hauling" for political advan-
tage. In the consideration of the
measure now about to be voted on
there should be used no such political
influence as above referred to.
''The subject is one of taxation
clearly non-political, and should be
coolly considered from a nonpartisan
standpoint. Now, nevertheless. men,
bers of this house have witnessed the
spectacle of the accredited minority
leader of the senate running about
over the floor of this house, debating
the dilatory tactics adopted by the
minority, and endeavoring to obtain
signatures to a compact entered into
in this house between the minority
and part of the majority.
81 venture to say that such a course
will not be appreciated by the people
who are laboring under distressed
circumstances because of the unwar-
ranted raise in their taxation.
Crude Revenue Laws
Much has been said and written
about the very crude revenue laws of
this state, and Notwithstanding this,
after careful consideration of our
laws, make the assertion that they
are just as good as those of any of
our sister states in this western coun-
try; and this assertion is based upon
experience of paying taxes in our
neighboring states and research of
the laws governing our neighbors.
"But a short time ago Idaho occu-
pied an enviable position amongst the
western states.
Give State Black Eye
people were coming with the full
hope of making their homes, becom-
ing prosperous, and casting their lot
with us. The development of this
state from an irrigation standpoint as
by such tracts as Twin
Falls, has been phenomenal, marvel
ous to my mind. But such develop
ment received a serious check at the
hands of part of the people of this
state, being caused through the DO.
itical leaders being arrayed against
he other part, and the cry of fraud
llent, inefficiency and unreliability
vas heralded broadcast throughout
'ur state and nation; and such epi-
'odes as that of the Mackay dam.
fremont county land leases, and 9TH
RS too numerous to mention, in
which the people were led to believe
hat there had been a gross neglect
If duty and dishonesty of office.
Had to Sell Bonds
There is but one effect that such
course could have upon the mind
If thoughtful investor, and that is
o create fear as to the value of the
'onds necessary to be sold for the
accomplishment and continuation Of
uch as the above mentioned improve
nents. The result to be expected by
very thoughtful man has obtained.
Dur irrigation bonds have been con-
liberated in measure undesirable.
md I had the evidence of this in
he statement of one OF the great pur-
hasers of such bonds, made in New