The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1916-08-03

justment to have the assessors value
the property within their several coun-
ties and the tax commission the inter
county property SO the state board of
equalization's duty would be merely
to equalize as between the work of
the tax commission and the county
assessors. At the time this change
was made approximately but 10 per
cent of the taxes collected were state
taxes. The voting of the road tax of
one-half mill added about one-third
to the total of the state tax and some
other additions were found necessary.
The total amount of taxes depends
mostly upon the local levies which are
controlled entirely by local authori-
ties The state tax today amounts to
but 81 mills, while county leyies vary
according to local necessities.
Our present system, if rigidly en-
forced, will bring about full cash
valuation, low levies and equal valua-
ton, and is as good probably as any
system in vogue in any of the states
of the union. Our increase in public
expenditures is to a great extent on
par with our added cost of living.
We are not, as individuals or as peo-
pie. satisfied with the less modest
conveniences of few years ago. The
altomobile-and we have one for about
every thirty persons-not only in
creases the home expenditure, but has
added tremendously to the cost of
building and maintaining roads. We
live better, we dress better and our
demands are very much greater in
every direction than they were a gen
Grafton ago. Our public activities are
broadened., We are constantly adding
expensive commissions and extending
our governmental functions into nu-
merous new fields. We put up and
maintain better public buildings. pay
higher salaries, establish more costly
parks and add new and greater ex-
penses in every direction. If we are
to enjoy these things we must pay for
them.
Institutions are Growing Ahead of
Population.
We have a new state. But a third
of its lands and resources are taxable
We have TO maintain roads, schools.
state institutions, courts and legisla-
lures 70 raj lour territory. Necessar-
lily it is a heavy burden. and this is
especially true when we consider that
our state institutions have grown fast
er than our population. while our edu-
cational demands have increased
much faster than our taxable prop
erty. Our system is by no means per-
feet and experience will require many
adjustments. We shall gain nothing
however by futile attempts to tear
down. and will be mucn better of in
the end if we Insist upon the enforce
ment of the law which will bring
about equal valuations and as low a
rate of taxation as can be had consid
ering the necessities of efficient gov.
ernment.
Our present tax system is the result
of forty years of experience, and has
been built with the assistance of lead
ers of all political parties. Enforced,
it will bring equal taxation for state
purposes. Every good lawyer will
agree that the proposed initiated Law
is plainly in violation of the consti-
tuition. Its submission. therefore. is
not only futile, but will tend to bring
about further discord between the
state and the city of Denver. will oc
casion great useless expense and can
not possibly be productive of any
good results.