Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1914-10-09
JOSEPH H. PETERSON
TALKS ON TAXATION
In an Address at Twin Falls Attorney General
Deals with the Issues in Idaho In a Prac-
teal, Common Sense Way.

The republican campaign in Twin
Falls was opened last Friday night
with addresses by Senator Brady
and Attorney General Peterson. Mr..
Brady dwelt entirely on national is
sues, while the questions of especial
interest to the citizens of Idaho
were handled by Attorney General
Peterson. His address showed that
he has given thoughtful consider
alton to state issues. He said in
part:
We are told that the issue in the
present campaign is taxes. Strict
ly speaking, of course, the question
of taxes never should and never
could become a political issue.
There is no political party in favor
Of high taxes. Every citizen in the
state, regardless of party, believes
that taxes should be as low as pos
sible, consistent with good govern
ment. The people of Idaho are and
will be skeptical of the all-promising
candidate, who, without advancing
any theory that looks to a solution
of the tax problems that confront
us, nevertheless hopes to float in
to public Office wholly upon the crit
icism of present conditions. 1t is
extremely easy to criticise; fault
may be found with any system or
institution. A child with hammer
in two minutes can destroy master
piece created by the mind of Mich
ael Angelo. Criticism, unless it is
coupled with constructive ideas, is
worthless, and is apt to be the mere
canting of the ambitious dema-
gogue.
| hear it reported Of candidates
that they are proclaiming in loud and
vociferous tones that if elected they
will begin at the basement and clear
out the peoples temple, and thai
they will save the people of thu
state Of Idaho one million dollars.
Let US analyze this for a momen
and see what it promises to the NAL
working for a solution of his tai
difficulties and problems. In tn
first place strict and rigid econom
must be had in all public affairs
Wastefulness of public money is
public crime, and the man who
guilty thereof is worse than an en-
bezzler, but let us analyze this prol
osition of saving.
The state government has cost I'll
people of the state for the last tW
year period approximately two mi
lion dollars. That was the appr
priation made by the legislature +
the support of all state institution
Suppose for the sake of the arg
ment we abrogate this amount e
tirely; suppose that no citizen
called upon to contribute one cent
the state government - in 9th
words, let us abrogate everythl
except the matter of local govei
ment. and we find this to be tri
that if all this elimination were hi
and we had no state government q
no state institutions, the man "
paws taxes upon valuation OF {
thousand dollars would save by 81
elimination the munificent sum
$2.11.
Now. suppose we eliminate for
purpose of argument one million
lars from state expenditures, an
a fiamboyantly and bombastic
promulgated by aspiring candidi
that if they are elected they will
the sum of one million dollars u
state expenditures to the good
ple of the state If we take Il
aspiring patriots at their word
concede that their election would
the state of Idaho one million
lars, we will arrive at this ra
startling conclusion, that the sa
of one million dollars to the pc
of the state of Idaho would save
man who pays taxes upon a VI
ton of one thousand dollars,
munifcent sum of s105
It must be seen, therefore.
while saving is a splendid thing
while every nickle of tax m
should be considered Just Is $