The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1914-07-02

we must reach these larger expendi-
lures and limit them. The best method
of doing so is to control the boards
having the power to levy our taxes in
the interest of rigid economy. These
boards are For state taxes, the leg
islature. For county taxes the county
commissioners. For municipal taxes,
the city or village council For school
taxes. the trustees. A good suggestion
would be to put your taxpayers, instead
of your taxeaters, on these boards, and
the evil will no doubt remedy itself as
quickly possible. The largest single
item of expense in the state is for the
support of the public schools, this re-
quiring nearly 40 per cent of the total
taxes. Our state board of education is
now studying this question, and will
undoubtedly be able to furnish solu-
tion of it. ! will be very glad to CO.
operate and aid them in any possible
way.
The state highway commission law,
called the automobile tax law, as pass
ed by the last session of the legisla-
ture, restricts the benefits each coun-
ty gets from this tax to those who
bond themselves for road building pur-
themselves for this purpose, and very
few counties will vote bonds for any
purpose now. This law should be
changed that the several counties of
the state viii, profit by this tax in di-
rect proportion to the amount paid in
such county toward the fund.
The laws and administration of the
land department need revising to meet
the changed conditions confronting us
now. If elected governor, | will rec
ommenu to the legislature the amend
ment of tire laws so as to effect chang
es as follows in this department: 1st,
put the department under one head
instead of two. 2nd, extend all pay
ments due on land contracts for two
to twenty years, at the option of the
owner 3rd, change the terms of sale
of school land, so as to give the pur-
chaser twenty to thirty years on at
least so per cent of the purchase price,
at his option. The reason for the last
two changes is, that the states object
in selling these lands is to get interest
on the proceeds. and by pursuing this
course the money will not only be in
vested for a long time, but the liberia
terms will make the lands sell higher
and increase the amount of our schoo
endowment funds. 4th, amend ths
constitution, taking the limit off of ths
amount of lands that can be sold IN
any one year, or greatly increase thi
limit. At the date of sale now provid
ed in this article, ii will take th'
state about $50 years to close out it
land grants, an absurd proposition.
will retard the growth of the state
and keep our school funds tied up to-
long If this is not changed.
The settlers on our Carey act prof
ects need the states aid in tidin
them over their difficulties. The stat
land board should represent the set
tiers interests in all these matters
This board should make an effort t
have the payments on water contract
on these projects extended for a per
iod of ten years at least with no pay
tier on new lands will need all hi
earnings for that period to keep u
taxes and interest, and build up an
stock his place to its best producin
, capacity. This should apply to sci
tiers only. and the improvements plac
ed on the farms will make the holdt
of the contracts amply secure Tt
) land board should use its utmost effort
to get the government to pass the lanc
IN these projects to patent, as soon
possible, so the settler may have
nortgaeeable or transferable title.