Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1914-08-19

{. Wilson. OF Santa Fe. The dis
cussion which followed was partlci-
pated IN at some length by Attorney
General Frank w. Clancy, of Santa
Fe, and Attorneys Neil y. Field and
A. b. McMlllen, OF Albuquerque. and
Col II. T.. Twltchell OF Las Vegas
Mr.. Wilson's paper was ordered print
ed on motion of Mr.. Clancy. second
ed by Mr.. Field. and will be .distri-
buted by the association To the vot-
ers Of the state for the purpose of
them on the subject of
the proposed amendment.
with reference to the proposed
constitutional amendment. Mr.. VIII
son began his remarks as follows:
''Of the problems OF administra-
ton and legislation which have pre-
scented themselves to the people OF
New Mexico since statehood. none
has proven more difficult and per-
picking than that OF providing ade-
quate revenues for necessary pur-
poses. state and local. and OF furn-
ishinp means for the just and equit-
able distribution Of the burden re-
sulting therefrom amongst the prop
erty owners of the state. A sparse
scattered over an inn
mense area. enormous natural re-
sources as yet practically undevelop.
ed, and q negligible amount of indus
trial wealth attributable to manu-
features, have combined to make our
revenue slender and render more re-
mote an adequate solution of the sit
uation. When with our natural diff
path of progress erected by our con-
stitutonal makers when the incor-
porated section ] of article In our
and the legislative at
tempts since statehood 60 Improve
upon the revenue laws in force dur
ng our territorial existence, we are
net with a combination of eircumT
stances most diseouraging to any
me who seeks an intelligent way out
IF our taxation chaos. CLEAN IF
light has appeared In the amendment
by our legislature TO article
of the constitution. but even this
,leam is SO obscured by sins of omis-
sion, that the darkness surroundings
,ur revenue system issfar from being
iispelled.'
Contrasts Clauses.
Mr.. Wilson then proceeded with q
somewhat minute comparison of the
provision of Article VIII as now in eff
eet. with the corresponding sections
# the proposed amendment, indicat-
ng the radical change which Will be
wrought in the states entire revenue
ystem by the proposed amendment. |
Board of Equalization.
The state board of equalization |
anne in for an extended discussion in
dr. Wilson's paper. Attorney Cen |
raj Clancy, following the reading Of I
he paper. declared that he would be
lad If the board of equalization were /
polished, 'hampered as II is without |
means to perform its duties satisfac- |
orily to the board members or the
axpayers.
As to the equalization board Mr.. I
wilson said in part:
"Our state board of equalization as
t present constituted is composed OF
nen whose ability and sincerity of
purpose cannot be questioned, but I
hey are hampered by the same draw
axes as to time and lack of reliable |
tatistical information as to conditions 1
\ different parts of the state which
40 In. .tl tot
deficient and impossible. Further
1ore, the legislature has refused at
ach of its sessions to appropriate suf-
cient funds to enable the board to
roperly discharge its duties and 1t has
cen impossible to commence the col
sction of data throughout the state
rom which ii could obtain correct in
as to values for purposes OF I
qualzation. Equalization based upon
uesses, even though they may In L
Dme cases approximate the truth, are
OF satisfactory either TO the board
or to property owners Thus the
OF the hoard is certain to
e beneficial, provided some more adj
quate centralized authority is sup
lied by the legislature in January /,
Iowever, there is no guaranty that the
II stature vii Sivc cs g substitute for /,
hat we now have, and If il fails we
Tould have no state board with power
, equalize between the counties, or
hich could entertain appeals taken
'om the county boards by aggrieved
roperty owners. The removal of
Ills check upon county assessors ana /,
cards of equalization would be dis
strous in the extreme and would 4
lunge the entire revenue system of I,
re state into a chaotic condition, Il
Iowever, the legislature is response Z,
lie TO the people for its acts and IL It
iiled in its duty the party in power L
'ould inevitably be called to account. i
N the other hand If a state board OF (
TX commissioners such, as has been &
lentioned before in this paper, should J
e created by the Legislature with full Is
to effect needed reforms L
! our revenue system, the wisdom Of ]
he trainers of the proposed amend
rent would be indicated and condi-
ons In this state immeasurably inn u