Payette enterprise. (Payette, Canyon Co., Idaho) 1909-1935, 1913-12-11
State Tax Small tom.

far the largest items come froI
their school and road district, an
: their city or village taxes-those sou
. ces of expenditure which are neares
to them and which are most nearl,
under their immediate control. When
attnteion has been given to these ma
ters it will be realized that the stats
government has been given no con
troll whatever over the local agencies
OF government whose operations are
now. costing US 80 heavily. And no
fault whatever can be found with
this arrangement. 1t LIS correct
principle of government.
Who're the People Rule.
IF the people of certain school
district wish to bond their district
for the purpose of erecting good
school houses, if they wish to tax
themselves literally for the purpose
of employing skilled teachers, if
they are willing to pay for conveyance
es in which to carry their children
to and from school; if the people of
road district desire to bond their
district for the purpose of construct
ing good substantial roads and bridg |
es, if they are willing to tax them
selves literally for the purpose OF
such roads and bridges
in good condition; If the people resid-
ing in any city or village desire to
bond in order to erect public build
lngs, pave their streets, provide fire
fighting apparatus, electric lights,
proper sewerage and all other modern
if the people within
a county desire to bond for public
which come under the
Jurisdiction of county government
Ill these things are matters of pure
y local concern, with which the
state government has, and should
lave, nothing whatever to do. When
hese expenditures are authorized,
However, the people should realize
hat they are placing heavy burdens
pom themselves, and they should be
Filing to assume their full share of
for the aggregate as
Voters Elect Lawmakers. {
IF, finally, the members of the leg S
lature, who were elected by the peo-
70 themselves who come from the
eople, and who are supposed to re S
ect their wishes, desire to make
rye appropriations for the mainte-
nee of schools, desire to provide lib N
ally for our penal and charitable in
buttons; if they desire to create
w commissions for the purpose Of
wing the state undertake govern
entail activities along new lines, it
certainly not the duty of elected
appointed administrative state Off gu
lis to say them nay or to attempt
insist that these appropriations
itch are supposed to reflect the Su
shes of the people should not be
lde. all
People Overlook the Facts.
1T is, however, the duty of state
ficials to carefully and economically
the laws and to conduct
operations of state government
the lowest possible cost consistent
tn efficient service. This, the pres
t administration has accomplished
a notable degree. 1t has not only
de-
IS, and has invited the freest and
dest publicity with reference to all
acts. But the state administration,
'ough the tax commission, is now
70 to supply information which will
ID the people to understand the
@ situation and to make the neces-
y corrections in order to bring
nut the lowering of tax levies. This
will clearly demonstrate, =
hink, that we have drifted into Ne
dition OF high expenditures, in 90.
Il matters particularly, due largely 10y
lack of specific information as to =
situation as whole. i''
Find Out Where Money Goes.
For the purpose, therefore, of Sc a
ing public discussion of this i'm L.
tant matter, for the purpose of :.
uring the interest and cooperation M
the taxpayers themselves, for the
pose of enabling us to strike at
root of our difficulties, / desire
ask the commission of which you
the chairman of prepare and for 1
late, or cause to be prepared mad ty
report which may be 1
united to me by January Is, or TIL,
soon thereafter as possible, and \
ich will contain the following in der
NATION with reference to each istl
lnty in the state: tie,
|. The total amount of bonded ant