The Arizona copper camp., 1916-08-25

/ George "A. Olney, CanQlQate Tor the
democratic nomination as governor, or
having his attention called to a para
Hunt, and published in the Chandler
Arizonian of July 21 advertising his
candidacy, as follows:
81 wonder if you know that my OPP
ponent in the present campaign, was
a supporter and lobbyist for the mine
tax bill, which would have transferred
approximately $13,OOO,OOO of the as
sessed valuation in the state from the
big mining companies to the farmers
stockmen and home owners" said
Utterly False.
Governor Hunt must be hard driv-
brand the statement as a direct and
malicious falsehood and deny the al
legation in toto Fortunately, anti
cipated some such move as this and
am able to refute the slander by alb
solute and incontrovertible testimony
| II defy anyone to produce a man OF
! woman who would truthfully say that
! had supported or lobbied for spec
ial mine tax bill. Everyone with
whom 1 talked concerning this bill
knows that 1 took the opposite posi-
ton. Hon. D. H. Claridge, who led the
fight on the floor of the senate against
this bill, talked with me concerning
the same on several different occas-
ions, and I advised him against it.
"Gov. Hunt and Claridge are per-
sonal friends. All my friends in the
house and senate, and all with whom I
was acquainted in the house and sem
ate, knew that I opposed the special
mine tax bill. Had 1 been in position
to do SO, I should have opposed the
special mine tax bill passed by the first
legislature, the one whose passage
Gov. Hunt earnestly advocated in a
special message to the senate as fol-
lows:
What Hunt Said.
"T believe that Senate Bill No. Of
fers in all it's more prominent features,
as good and reasonable solution of the
mine tax question as can be secured
in the time allowed and with the in
formation available. This measure, in
the form in which it now awaits ap
proval by the senate, provides for the
assessment and taxing Of mines on a
basis of four times the net and twelve
and one-half per cent Of the gross
earnings. I therefore MOST EAR
NESTLY RECOMMEND THE PAS
SAGE OF SENATE BILL NO. in
it's present form
His Only Word.
"This is the only official word on rec
ord, that Gov. Hunt has ever uttered.
There is not a word recorded, where
the governor opposed the mine tax
bill, which he accuses me of having
lobbied for.
eff it is true, that the passage Of
the mine tax bill would have transfer
red approximately $73,OOO,OOO Of the as
sessed valuation in the state from the
big mine owners, to the farmers, the
stockmen and the hGme owners, he is
personally responsible for this class
of taxpayers having paid on $4,000, 900
more than they should have done, dur
ing the two years that the special
mine tax law was in .orce, that he SO
earnestly advocated.
"He may urge that time was press
ing, and something had to be done
This however, can be no excuse. The
law directs the assessment Of proper
ty wherever found. If the tax COM
, mission had sufficient authority to
properly assess the mines this year,
| they certainly had the authority to
perform the same act during the two
years that the special mine tax law was
| in force
| Here is an affidavit from Senator
Claridge and another from w. w. Pace,
that will show how 1 stood on the ques-
tion, and which I think being sworn
documents, should have more weight
| with the electors, than the governors
unsupported and absolutely false state
ment."
CIaridge's Affidavit.
Replying to your letter which reach
ed me last Monday. will say that went
| to see George Olney personally during
| the fore part of the first session of
| the legislature about the mine tax
| bill, that being the all absorbing ques-
tion then before the senate, and know
| ing Mr.. Olney to be a man of good
| judgment in such matters, he having
served Graham county in a legislative
capacity and also served as chairman
| Of the board of supervisors, and in
each case proved himself to be a
friend of the people, I felt his judg-
ment would be a great help to me,
and Mr.. Olney in answer to my ques-
| ton as to what he thought Of the
special mine tax bill then before the
! conoto that ba had NOT StJ10ia0