Sharp County record., 1916-02-04

!
bring down the rate of taxation in
this state. That is entirely out of
their power. The trouble lies deep
er than the powers of their offices
extend.
The tax assessors and the state
tax commission may perform their
duties thoroughly; they may get
the entire property of the state on
the tax books at fair valuation,
and yet that fact of itself would
not reduce the tax rate. 1t ought
to result that way, of course, but
when the tax rate in Arkansas is
reduced it must be done by more
strict economy in the legislature,
which body authorizes most eX-
penditures; by more strict integ-
rity upon the part of those who are
charged with the responsibility of
accumulating and disbursing the
public funds, and by the elimina-
tion of graft, which every man in
this state who is sane enough to
put two and two together knows ex-
lists, not in broken, harmless doses,
but in copious, destroying quanti-
ties.
The work of efficient tax assess
ors and an efficient state tax COM
mission would be entirely in vain
if it merely raised assessments
without reducing the tax rate. That
work had better not be done if that
is all that is to be done. That
would be worse than the Missouri
instance-a high rate on an in
creased assessment; consequently a
much increased tax.
The state tax commission is a
creature of the administration OF
Gov. George W. Donaehey. That
body has succeeded in doing a
great deal toward equalizine as
sessments over the state and in
placing property on the tax books
that had been escaping taxation al
together. The amount of tax
bearing property in the state is
tens of thousands Of dollars greater
today than ever before, yet the tax
rate has not been reduced and is
this year a fraction higher than last
year, although the increase goes to
a worthy cause.-the pensionine Of
Confederate soldiers, And in spite
of the increased valuation of prop
erty, and in spite of the fact that
the tax rate has not been reduced,
but slightly increased, the state
goes on and on in debt, and has an
annual deficit in the general reve'
nue. fund of something like a cool
million dollars.
The Record has called attention
to these facts before, and they are
worthy of the consideration of all
thouehtful citizens. Where is al
the public money goineY
We contend that 1t is a direct
ind unnecessary imposition upot
the people for any man or set o.
men to urge them to increase The
assessed valuation of their property
, when there is no indication that t
, do so would decrease the rate O
taxation, but every indication tha
! to do so would only furnish more
spending money to those who arr
reckless and extravagant with tn,
public funds and show no presen
;, siens OF reformation. We expect t
!. maintain this position until tn,
r dawnine Of better daysin Arkansas
a A good many intelligent citizen
of this state, who have given TIT
y situation some attention, believ
J. that enough money Is now rai'e,
s by taxation 10 meet every legiti
mate expense of the state and 1t
institutions, II every dollar were eS
pended legitimately and brought
II proper return to the state when !
leaves the states possession,
It such a favorable condition as tha
= prevailed for the state, 1t Is the be