The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1916-10-26
new TAX LAW WAS
WORK OF KELLY
(From The Dalles Chroniclel

The taxpayers who thronged the
sheriff's Office recently to pay the re-
naming half Of their taxes, have prob.
ably given little thought to the differ.
ence of the terms of payment under
the provisions of the law as it now is
and the law that was superseded. II
is equally probable a greater portion
of the taxpayers do not know the
author of the bill or the work involved
to secure its passage.
Most OF US do remember, however,
when the taxes became due and pay.
able on April /, the hardship it worked
to meet them in single payment. 1t
is true the last half could have been
withheld from payment until Septem.
ber ], but there was penalty of one
per cent per month for six months and
a further penalty of 10 per cent II not
paid by September J..
Not only did that law work hard.
ship upon the taxpayer, but its pro-
vision that the collection of taxes
should be done by the county treasurer
nearly doubled the cost of collection.
Just why such law should have been
enacted is difficult, if not unnecessary,
to explain at this late date, but with
all of its inconviences, hardships and
increased cost to administer 1t was the
law, and it remained f0r.J. l.. Kelly.
who then represented US in the legisla.
true, to force it's repeal and secure the
enactment Of the present law. And
strange as it may seem, there was a
strong opposition to overcome in effect
ing the repeal and organizing the nee.
essary strength to put the present law
through, and had it been in the custody
of a man less keen and able, and with
out the untiring energy of Mr.. Kelly,
it would have failed of passage. The
delegation from MuItnomah county
brought its combined strength to de-
feat the repeal and block the enact
ment of the present law; but stronger
than all was the opposition OF the State
Tax Commission.
The commission contended the tax.
payers would not pay unless the penal
ty was severe. but Mr.. Kelly met them
by showing that if the taxpayers failed
to pay their taxes and the counties
should run short of funds they could
easily borrow at per cent. while the
delinquent taxes would be earning the
county IL per cent, so that there would
be a gain instead of loss. His show
ing of the extra cost to the taxpayer
under the law as it then was; that the
increase of treasurers salaries, and
the employment of deputies would
amount to more than $4,000 per an
mum, was So strong and forcible tina,
he mustered the strength to carry his
measure through both houses, resulting
in the present law.
AS candidate to succeed himself
Mr.. Kelly could reasonably expect, anC
ought to get, the united support of his
party associates, but beyond the part.
isan feature his candidacy ought tC
draw strong support from conservative
and sober minded citizens of all part
les. In legislative bodies composed Of
strong and able men. those counties
alone can hope for their interests to bt
successfully guarded. who see to j,
that their representatives are also
strong and able men.
Mr.. Kelly's signal success in the
management of his affairs as farmer
and stockman. his keen business III
stinct and unerring judgment in public
affairs, together with his experience al
lawmaker, exceptionally qualify hin
to look after Wasco and Hood River
counties interests at the coming ses
sion. when so many matters touching
the welfare of the good roads move
ment will come up for consideration
In the apportionment of the state high
way fund and the allotment of the fed
eral appropriation under the provisions
of the Shackelford bill, the 29th dis
trict may suffer a serious loss if il
fails to return him to the legislature.