The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-02-10
vcstigations while the .Aaskans 81
with folded hands.
THAT woLr1sH MEASURE.

|
| The Tribune pointed out Yesterday
morning some Of the general objections
to the barbarous, mcrcilcss. .wolfish taS
measure now pending in the State Sen.
ate and known az Senate Bill No, 6i
| 1t is a measure of such extraor6inafy
ferocitv rs that tho like of il was
I probably never before presented in the
I legislature OF free people, One can
imagine the savage exactions of con
quering foe imposing exactions like this
upon conquered city or people. but
the idea of the representatives Of a
people being asked to vote measure
of such extreme tax severity upon the
people they represent is absolutely un-
precedcnted among mankind so far as
we have ever read
The aim of moderu tax experts and
those who have made taxation and puo.
lie revenue a study is TO so adjust the
ucccssary public burdens as to make
them bear as lightly as possible upon
the people; that is, TO tax those iudi-
viduals and those forms OF business and
industry that can best bear Inc tax by
reason Of their sure profits aud their
great requirements on the part of the
public for protection, safety and sup
port. But this measure looks only TO
the maximum Of taxation that can be
e1acted from the people, With little or
no regard for their actual ability fairly
to pay.
This bill. rapacious, searching, and pc
we're, has no mercy upon the people: it
is an absolutely piratical measure from
first to last. 1t has no mercy upon any
one, aud no consideration for tbe vel,
fare of the people or the existence of
any business or industry, which it may
ruin by its severity. Its workings In
the matter Of mines is fair gauge OF
the brutality with which it treats the
tax question. 1t would tax the mines
on their visible property, on everything
that can be reached. and also upon their
net profits, this with searching and un-
releptiug ruthlesspess, But ii would
deny to the mines the credits which arc
properly due in the opening OF the
mines and the work Of exploration in
order to open up new ore bodies and
keep the mine in a productive condi.
hon; it would tax successful results,
Ignoring the means of reaching them
md discouraging such development. 1t
bus evidently considers The mines sim.
,ly as big goose that lays golden eggs
hat can be captured for the public
and would deny any feed or
support TO the goose. Such one sided
egislation as this, such barbarous ex-
iction. is altogether contrary to the
idea Of taxation; and those
yho have made taxation a study would
Inevitably revolt at such improvident
xactions as this.
All through the measure the same
ort of ruthless reaching out for every
hing in sight, without couceding any.
hing to the taxpayer, is evident. 1t !
E bill designed to fleece the people |
o the utmost possible extent without |
ny consideration for their needs or for
he expenditure which they necessarily |
make in order to keep up their prop
rites or business. it is iuduisitorial, |
urelenting, with q ferocity of e1ac-
ion that appalls.
The tax burdens In this State. tax
ug them al in all, are fully as great at
resent as the people can fairly bear.
n fact, there is a good deal of com
laiut from time to time that taxation
3 too high. And yet here is q. measure
hat would be liable to double the ex-
ctiors Of the tax sstberers;, and it is
resented In a popular assembly with
Il the cheek and force that could be
Xpected of a despotic farmer Of taxes,
those only interest is in exactinc the |
tmost possible dollar from the plun-
cred people within his jurisdiction.
We do not understand on what basis
measure like this can possibly be
itber urged or defended in a popular
legislative assembly, and are confident
hat the more the members of the leg.
stature look into this extraordinary
i'll, the worse disgusted they will be
18th it, and that its fate will be the
7aste basket, where it go clearly be-