Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1914-02-06

j. A. Purtill, who served as one
Of the tax experts under Governor
Hawley, contributed a lengthy ar
ticle in the last issue of the Noun
tain Home New Time, in which he
offered some suggestions pointing
towards the method of reducing
taxes. From this article we pub
lish the following extracts:
First. voters must know what
they want, they must inform them
selves. 1t is not absolutely neces-
sary to know all the details, but for
illustration, if it be that they want
taxes reduced by better administra-
ton and economy, then say to all
your candidates for Office from the
Governor down to the Coroner, we
want reduction Of taxes and expend-
irures; we want better administra-
tion and we want sound business
economy. And do not forget to
tell them that you have the referen-
dunn, initiative and viii soon be in
possession of the recall.
It will not be an easy matter, it
will require determined and con-
tinued effort on your part, nor will
you get all the relief you seek in
short time.
Now, we will begin with the
state first. There is to be submit
ted to you at the next general cleo
ton, an amendment to the consti-
tuition to extend the terms Of all
state officers from two to four years.
Why not have submitted this amend
ment to cover all the officers down
the line to coroner and have gen
eral election once in four years and
save a large amount of expense?
The legislature to meet once in four
years, unless an erne gene arise s,
then the .overner may ca It e.
ira or special session.
We have too many fool laws
now on the statute books, a session
ought to be had for the purpose of
wedding them out, making clear
and simplifying.
Again, under our method OF run.
ming the state, county, municipal
and other units of government, We
make levy and apportion the same
to various funds, where it remains
until needed. In practice this does
not give good business or economic
results, because some funds become
exhausted before the work or busi
ness they are provided for is com
pleted and warrants still issue ant
20 to interest bearing at per cent
while other funds have a surplu
and are in the banks at 2 IL or
per cent. There ought to be such
business method and uniform system
of bookkeeping in state and count
financial affairs and apportioning 0
these funds SO that they might b
interchangeable, to the end that n
warrant go to interest while ther
are idle funds, for money is flown
into the state and county treasure
all the time, and such system G
handling these funds, as above mer
toned, would tend to cash bus
ness and save interest and permit
closer buying and such system
mentioned in apportioning the funt
would automatically adjust the ma
ter. ANY good county auditor
county treasurer can demonstrat
this TO you.
Such q system, as above outline
should be put in force by the Il
commission, If there be one at Il
time of installing. One or tv
county auditors did use such a sy
tenn to the great benefit of their T
pective counties.
Again, the state and nearly
the counties, cities, villages. tow
and other taxing districts have o.
standing bonds for which they q
creating sinking funds to meet t
bonds as they become due.
"Our law on this matter ought
be 80 framed that these long ii
funds could be deposited as time
posits, at not less than four to
per cent interest, in the banks tn
out the state. This would add
the sinking fund and give the BE-