American Fork citizen. [volume] (American Fork, Utah) 1912-1979, 1922-10-14
WHAT UTAH FACES

amendments to the state constitute
ons.
Amendment No. I would increase
the bonding limit of the state from
IN to Q percent. II 10 safe to say
that the minute the limit was raised
the state debet and future Unrest bill
would jump to the total per cent
allowed and the increase would be
met by additional taxation.
Amendment No Q empowers the
legislature to divide all property in
GLIDING moneys and credit as well
AZ physical property into classes and
to determine what class or classes
Of property shall be subject to tax
alton and what property, n any. shall
not be subject to taxation. Instead
Of the old theory Of equal taxation
which Is the foundation stone Of
our government this amendment
simply provides equal taxation upon
all property In the same class. Pro-
perty could be divided into as many
classes as political expediency SEEM
ed to dictate and each class could
then DO taxed as heavily or 90 light
ly as the case seemed to warrant.
The theory of equal taxation
would be swept overheard and prop
srty rights would be subject 70 the
changing within of political agitation.
waves Of radical ideas that temper
arily tnfest any state government or
any other experiment which some
organization in power might wish TO
try. In other words. the balance
wheel Of sound state constitution
on matters relating to taxation would
be done away with In favor Of
"tasz system" that would leave prop
erty rights In Utah subject to isgis-
lative activity every two years.
Incidentally amendment No. Is
the step preceding the introduction
OF state income tax on top Of all
other taxes In Utah. The man who
has been frugal enough to accum-
mulate an income In the majority Of
instances invests his money In real
estate or productive undertakings
which employ labor and pays heavy
taxes In the community in which he
lives. A state income tax on top of
all other taxes would be the surest
way to drive the prospective investor
and the man with money away from
or out OF the state Of Utah.
The third amendment to double
the pay Of legislators 10 merely
raising scheme. II a candidate
cannot be found who has enoug In.
tersst In his state to 70 to the legisia-
ure and serve to the best OF his abili-
y a. public duty. the mere induce
ment OF an increase in salary from
$500 to $500 day will not secure
a better class Of men. II will simply
make a scramble for political
Job paying $500 day. The candi.
dates for office would be mediocre
class who are looking for the $500
and who are not considering the hon
or or the service which they could
render the state.
The three amendments proposed In
Utah have not been demanded or
asked for by the people. They are
the hobbies. schemes or mechanicians
OF political promoters who see an
opportunity to increase the field OF
officialism. create more Jobs and dig
deeper into the taxpayers pocket
FOR their own personal gain. II Is
as certain as the sun rises tomorrow
that II these measures are passed,
taxes In Utah will be permanently
increased.
II the people want reduced tax
alton as appears to DO the demand
In every section OF the state there is
but one way to do--vote down meas
ures that are sure tax-raisers. Dele.
eating the powers OF state consti-
tuition to legislative activity Is lust
about as dangerous as turning a
child loose with medicine chest full
OF poison. Results are sure TO be
diaa n roma