The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1914-10-21
OOO, 900 or more within the next ten

900, 900 or more within the next ten
years.
The proposition will be presented
on a separate official ballot in these
words:
"For the adoption of a temporary
increase of one mill in the rate of tax
alton for state purposes, for the sup
port of our educational Institutions"
Against the adoption of the prop
osition described.
This brief description of the nature
of the proposed additional tax does not
give sufficient information to the tax
payer. The full story is told in this
portion of an act passed by the
Thirteenth assembly:
"That for a period of ten years
from and after the passage of this Act,
by a vote of the people, the rate of
taxation on real and personal property
shall not exceed 318 mills on each dol
lar valuation; except that if at any
time during this ten (10) year period,
the taxable property of the State shall
amount to Six Hundred Million $780,
600, OO0) Dollars, the rate shall never
valuation. Provided, however, that the
proceeds from one mill of any levy
made during this period, for state pur-
poses shall be used exclusively for the
support of the University of Montana,
the Agricultural College of Montana,
the School of Mines and the State
Normal College, except that not more
than ten per cent of the proceeds
from one mill of any levy made for
State purposes may be used for the
support of industrial and agricultural
courses given in any High School of
the State and that five per cent of the
proceeds from one mill of any levy
for state purposes, shall be used for
the support of the elementary schools
of the State, in school districts where
the regular tax levy does not produce
sufficient revenue to permit the hold
ing of more than six months school in
each year."
1t will be recalled that some eight
years ago the total assessable wealth
of Montana citizens was close to the
$500, 900, 900 mark-a figure which, un'
der the provisions of the state con-
stitution, called for the reduction of
the state tax levy to ~ mills. The
| situation was viewed with alarm by
state officials. college presidents and
others, who declared the small reve-
nue. that would be produced by the
lower tax levy would seriously impair
the work of our state educational in
stitutions.
A strong campaign was made to
amend the constitutional provision in
such a way that the 2h mill levy
would continue in effect for several
years. Appeal was made to Montana
taxpayers to forego the right to have
their state levy reduced to ~ mills,
and to assist in supporting state in
situations in good style by extending
the operation of the 2h mill levy
These appeals to the liberal and pa.
triotic spirit of Montana taxpayers
met with success-the proposition
carried, and for several years the
higher levy has been in effect.
The educational boosters. however
do not to appreciate the gener
Gus response made to their appeal OF
eight years ago. They are calling for
more. Enthusiasm for the cause they
represent may be COmmendable, but
it appears to the River Press that
their plans and aspirations should
take account of the financial wei
fare of thousands of Montana tax
payers who have to foot the bills.