The Colville examiner. [volume] (Colville, Wash.) 1907-1948, 1921-02-12
An Exponent for
Stevens County

IN the lndltterence OF the voting and
taxpaying public to the financial
facts. A summary of some of the
direct causes of high taxes might
read somewhat as follows:
l. Excessive appropriations by
legislatures which for years have
been controlled by the big cities of
the Sound.
g. Election of state and county
officials on the basis of national po-
ltcal lines, rather than on the basis
of individual honesty and ability.
8. Failure of the public to en-
courage and uphold an official who
shows constructive ability, and readi-
ness to attack a capable official be-
cause of personal or political opposi-
tion.
4. Failure to vote intelligently on
initiative and referendum laws which
entail the expenditure of money.
5. Marked willingness to consider
that public money is easy money and
anybody's money, and to get as much
of it as easily as possible.
6. Absolute refusal to study the
financial side of civil administration,
failure to confer with the elected Off
cials on public questions, and a con-
tinual passing the buck" to those
elected to do the work.
T. Failure to put public business
on the plane of private business in
demanding that constructive work be
done now to save excessive expense
in the future.
We Are Living Better
With the increases of costs in all
lines, we must expect increases in
taxes, also we are continually asking
for more than formerly. We are
living better. We have better roads.
Our schools are better. Public health
is better protected. Life and property
are presumably safer These things
cost money. They are demanded,
and we must expect to pay for them.
In humanitarian lines we are spend
ing much more money than formerly.
Some of it is spent wisely and some
is wasted The number of indigents
and their financial demands are in
creasing The wards in our state and
county charitable and corrective in
stitutions are increasing, and we are
caring for them better than formerly.
With the growth and spread of tuber-
culosis there is an increased inca
pacity for work, which means that the
burden of support rests continually
heavier on those who are producers.
The continued withdrawal of young
people from the farm means that
higher proportional taxation comes
to those who remain on the farms if
they wish to keep pace with the
privileges Of the city; and in addition,
many of the ills which result from
congested population are paid for in
part by the people who yet remain
in the rural districts and smaller
cities.
Are There Remedies?
Taxpayers of Stevens county can
not Immediately change the taxing
situation which has crept upon us
with the years. But there are some
remedies which can be applied now,
and which will help some next year,
more the year after, and in increasing
amount in years to come.
/. Learn the financial facts re-
specting state and county, and vote
accordingly
2. Watch the election of directors
and the expenditure of money in
local taxing districts, such as irriga-
ton districts, roads, schools, and To-
cal improvement districts.
3. In incorporated cities, help the
who serve you without
pay, in working out the financial
problems of the city.
4. Start NOW on constructive
lines of future saving.
How 1t Can Be Done
|. Election of men for city, county
or state office has no business to be
predicated on national political party
lines. Such forms of civil admins