The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-01-19

the figures available to any one in the
state house. the bank stocks in the
state were assessed at $11,A12,391. the
goods. wares and merchandise and
consigned goods in the state at $751;
3S4.s94 and the assessment Of 1885,
6s1 for all the money on hand or
special deposits, or added to this the
sum Of all solvent credits, Including
deposits in the banks, returned for
taxation, amounting to $1.729.696, to
realize the sum OF $3,6s6.377. repre-
senting all the money Of every kind
and description and solvent credits in
the state Of Montana. when it Is a
matter Of common knowledge that
bank deposits in this state exceed the
sum OF $40. 100000.
ut is q matter Of common knowl-
edge" said the speaker. that prop
as provided by law"
Then ne proceeded to make n COM
parison between the assessed valua-
ton of the Amalgamated company and
that OF all the sheep. cattle. hogs and
horses and the figures on these as
compiled by the department OF agri-
culture Of the United States.
"Somc one has said that COMPARE
sons are odious." the speaker said,
land gentlemen. such would seem to
be the case. Why enumerate them?
The figures have given you are from
the state board of equalization. They
are open to the inspection Of all.
only wish that every voter in the
state would obtain and study copy
of this report. Truly. then, might we
expect some legislation which would
be remedial
The financial condition OF the state
was next touched upon by Mr.. Kelley.
He stated that it was an automatic
proposition that the government is
best which, while it makes adequate
provision for the affairs of the state,
at the same time takes and retains
from the citizens only 80, much Of his
property as is absolutely necessary to
fairly meet the expenses of govern
ment. He then took up the report of
the state auditor. which showed that
he estimated the deficit in the con-
duct of the state government ending
February IS, 1919. would be $685.
$50. Il "
In view of this showing, he said
what possible excuse can there be
for increasing enormously the burden
of current taxation? What necessity
would justify your SO doing? I sub
NIT to you fairly that if IN the face of
this showing some of the proposed
legislative measures are enacted into
laws. would it not appear to the casual
observer that the action was one of
oppression. one of spoliation. in fact
one Of confiscation" He stated that
the legislation so far proposed would
yield an additional revenue of nearly
two million dollars and then asked the
committee what it intended to do with
this money.
During the course of his remarks
Mr.. Kelley referred frequently to the
charges that invisible government
was exercising an influence on legis-
lation and asked that the remarks and
unadvised statement OF demagogues
be given no consideration.
Closing. he said. TT would be an ex.
! ceedingly selfish, and as far as I an
concerned. an objectionable position
to stand here and advocate any ex-
emption from a common participation
| with all others in what it may be de-
cided by you in your wisdom is the
proper course to pursue in the matter
| of raising additional revenue, but as
. completely as do assure you of CO.
operation in undertaking to share
proportionally any burden that may b.
imposed upon corporations and resi-
dents generally in this state. or ever
upon corporations alone. just as vehe'
mently do l protest against you
singing out one industry by virtue o.
the exercise of arbitrary power. fore
ing an exaction. levying a tribute tina
cannot be justified by necessity, sane
toned by morals, or supported by tn
principles OF law, applicable alike t.
the rich and poor. the strong ant
weak. the mighty and the brokel
reed" .- ..'