Western Carolina Democrat and French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1913-1915, 1914-10-22
FOE THE PROpOsED AMENDMENTs
Sentiment Rapidly Growing; Ground.
Hess Fears GIAareds Relief In Provided.

FOR THE PROPOSED AMENUMENIG
Sentiment Rapidly Growing; Ground
less Fears Cleared; Relief 10 Provided.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Bailey said this
morning that he felt that the friends
of the adoption of the ten amend
Ements to the constitution had reason
to feel .gratified with the progress
Epade during the last week. which was
| the first week of the organized enort
in their behalf.
GrOnndless Exceptions.
MI. Bailey said that two groundless
exceptions had been taken to the
| amendments and he desired the state
press to aid him IN correcting them.
provided, that these limitations on
the rate of taxation shall not apply to
taxes necessary to pay debts contract
ed prior to the adoption of this amend
ment, nor to taxes heretofore
lied by an act of the general Assembly
! or by the vote of the people,.
That is to say, taxes for bond issues
issued prior to the adoption or the
amendment, or taxes authorized by
special act, or taxes levied by school
tax districts, or by cities and towns
or counties for special purposes by a.
popular vote, are expressly excepted
from the effect of the proposed amend
ment.
The second criticism is equally With
/ out foundation. 1t consists of an I'M
nression that the third proposed
amendment to the constitution, that is,
the amendment restricting local, prl-
vate or special legislation, will adveT-
selv affect the sheriffs of our state.
This impression is based on the fact
that the said proposed amendment pro-
hibits the general assembly from pass
ing any act extending the time for
the assessment or collection of taxes,
or otherwise relieving any collector
of taxes from the due performance OF
his official duties or his sureties from
liability"
81 take it," said Mr.. Bailey, that
| this matter is covered in the same
| amendment, which gives the general
! assembly fpower to pass laws regu-
lating the matters set out in this sec
ton"
No Special Act.
'"That is to say" said MI. Bailey,
instead of having TO have a SPECIAL
| act for the relief of collectors of taxes,
| whenever relief may be justly demand
| ell, the general assembly will provide
| general laws for this relief. Such a
! demand for relief could be referred 10
the county commissioners in counties,
! to the governing bodies in towns ana
cities. to the state treasurer or gov
| ernor or council of state in respect to
| state matters, or such demand for re-
| lief could be referred to the judges OF
our Superior courts"
eat anv rate" said Mr.. Bailey, there
is no reason for. any sheriff in the
state to resist the passage OF THIS
amendment on the ground that 1t Will
nreyenr him from obtaining relief
whenever it shall he Justly due him.
The fact is, it should have the erect
of facilitating the means o fsuch re-
lief"
Chairman Bailey called attention to.
the fact that Samuel l.. Rogers, who.
managed the campaign of Senator sim
mons, was not only for the amend
mcnts, but was working for them.
Also to the fact that A. w. Mclean,
! spoken of for governor next time, a
made a speech for them at Elizabeth
town last week; that Lieutenant-Gov-
eronr Daughtridge, also spoken OF for
governor, was actively supporting tne
amendments, and that the Hon. t. w.
! Beckett, also spoken of for governor,
was ~canvassing for the amendments.
In conclusion Mr.. Bailey said he
would have some first rate literature
out this week, including the address
to voters signed by a very representa-
tive list of North Carolina citizens or
all parties, an address by Josephus
Daniels, secretary of the navy, and
some other articles.
Speaking of the tax amendment, Mr..
Bailey called attention to a letter from
A. D. Ward, of New Bern. "Mr. Ward
he said, "was a member Of the const1-
tutional commission. MIR. Ward n l
were very skeptical OF the tax amend
! lnent at first and discussed the matter
| thoroughly in the commission. l am
glad to say that after mature cons1d
Grafton, he is now enthusiastically for
it. | think Mr.. Wards experience Is
typical of many level-headed and con-
servative North Carolinians. At first
thought they inclined to oppose the
proposed amendment giving power to
the legislature to reform u taxation
and revenue system, but upon mature
and thoughtful consideration, they
Twill recognize the necessity for it and