The Blackfoot optimist. [volume], January 18, 1912, Image 4

About The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918

Image provided by: Idaho State Historical Society

                
The Blackfoot Optimist
Entered as second class matter De
cember 3, 1907, at the postoffice at
Blackfoot, Idaho, under the Act of Con
"■fess of March 3, 1879.
^ . Published Every Thursday
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
One year In advance ..............$2.00
Six months ........................ 1.00
Three,, months .......................65
Member of the Eastern Idaho Press
Association
Optimist Publishing Company, Ltd,
KARL P. BROWN. Manager.
LEGISLATURE CONVENE
(Continued from page one )
members of the legislature, or unless
they shut their eyes and blindly adopt
a measure to which they have not
given their personal consideration.
4>elieve the only method of intelligent
1} concluding upon a subject so im
portant as a general revenue law for
the state, is to do so at a special ses
sit n wherein no intervening! legisla
tion can be urged, and with a founda
tion carefully prepared by competent
and trustworthy men upon which the
legislature can readily build a
measure.
Commissioners Appointed
"So believing, I called some months,
ago upon Judge John F. MacLane. and
lion. Frank Martin to prepare, with
the assistance of the attorney gen
erals rffice, a thorough and com*
plete levision of our revenue laws and
tlie nece ssary amendments to the con
stitution. These two eminent jurists,
than whom there are none more corn
pent to perform such duties, con
sented at iny earnest solicitation, al
though it invcived much labor and
great personal sacrifice, to undertake
this work, and since that time and
until the past few days, have zealous
ly and faithfully directed their great
abilities to the undertaking. The re
sult of their labors is now before you,
and, if not adopted in its entirety by
you, will in any event greatly facilitate
your labors. I believe it will be the
part of wisdom for you to adopt "with
out substantial change the main reve
nue law as presented. While in some
particulars I believe, as a matter of
theory more than as a demonstrated,
practical fact, that a different system
might well be adopted, still there can
be no coubt that the bill presented
will, if enacted into law, present a
modern and effective revenue system,
effective in its workings, easily un
derstood and readily carried into prac
tical operation; and that any radical
changes might make a chaotic mass of
confused legislation of what is now a
harmonious, carefully considered meas
ure.
"I recommend the other and addi
tional revenue bills and resolutions fer
constitutional amendments., presented
by (he commission be be carefully con
sidered by you, and if they are in ac
cordance with your ideas of correct
legislation, be adopted, or submitted, cr
amended to meet your views.
What Report Containsl
"1 desire also in this connection to
call your particular attention to the re
port of the revenue law commission,
which is herewith submitted to you. It
contains in clear, concise and well con
sidered language a statement of the
changes proposed, the reasons inducing
the commission to advocate such
changes, and references to the statut
es of other states wherein such chang
es have heretofore been made; and
will, 1 believe greatly assist you In con
eulding upon various' mooted* questions.
"Without taking up the proposed
legislation in detail, I believe it proper
to consider seme of the salient) points
presented by the commission, especial
ly in the bill for the main revenue lav;
Many other matters of perhaps equal
Importance to those I will discuss are
contained in the bill, but have not in
voked such full discussion as those I
will especially mention.
ONE WAY OUT
Resident of Blackfoot
Way
Shows the
Only one way to cure a bad hack.
Liniment and plasters may relieve it.
They w'on't cure it.
Backache means sick kidneys.
Doan's Kidney Pills are for bad j
kidneys.
Blackfoot people back them up.
x Read a case of it ;
* Mrs. J. A. Quillin, 550 E. Idaho St..
Blackfoot, Idaho, ?a\ s : "I do net hesi
tate to recommend Uoan's Kidney Pills
for they have been of great value to
me. I suffered severely from disor
dered kidneys and my back ached al
most constantly. Last spring when
feeling miserable. I learned of Doan's
Kidney Pills and procured a b. x. They
proved very effective in relieving me
and my experience gave me a high
opinion of them.'' (Statement given
October 8, 1907.)
RE-ENDORSEMENT
On June 13. 1910, Quillin said: —
"Nothing has occurred to alter my
high opinion of Doan's Kidney Pills.
Since endorsing this remedy, I have
used it cu several occasions and have
never failed to get prompt relief.''
For sale by all dealers. Price 50
cents. Foster—Mi'.burn Co., Buffalo,
New York, sole agents for the Unit
ed States.
Remember the name—Doan s and
take no other.
The Tax Commission
To secure an impartial and uniform
. , . ». $ {
assessment requires the power of final
valuation be centered in a tribunal co n
posed of men of different political opii.
of
ions, selected by reason of their pe
culiar fitness for the task, and holding
their office for a term sufficiently long
to prevent their being influenced! by
suddenly invoked but only temporary
publie c'amcr. It is almost impossible
for a county assessor, during- a two
years' term, to acquire the necessary
knowledge of values to enable him to
intelligently assets all the property of
his county; it is absolutely impossible
to have a uniform rate of assessment
between ilie c.unties under a system
so
we
which leave the question of values! w'thi
the county commissioners and the as
sessors, reviewable only by the state
board of equalization during a limited
session. While in some states a differ
ent system is in vogue, in nearly one
half of the states of the Union tax
commissions have been created with
full powers to act in all matters per
taining to their duties. In no state
wherein such method has been adopted
is there any disposition to return to
the cld methods. The tax commission
provided for in the main revenue bill
submitted Is one of the vital questions
for you to consider., While great pow
er is vested in the commission, it is
not, in my Judgement too great. 'The
method of appointment provided for in
sures the selection of efficient officers.
The compensation provided is no more
than is necessary to insure good ser
vices. Eash year the commission, b
adding new and therefore* concealed pro
perty, will much more than pay it
expenses. I heartily recommend this
provision and hope it will meet your
approbation as presented.
Classification of Lands
"This important matter is fully pro
vided for in section 18 of the main bill.
The section as presented is original
with the commission, but the necessi
ty for such classification has been long
felt by the state beards ofi equalization
as well as the county assessors, and
will be of great assistance to those of
ficers, as well as to the tax commis
sion.
Quadrennial Assessments«
"The main bill provides in section. 1
ï
for quadrennial assessments after the I
year 1914. 1 believe after considering |
tire subject that the provision is a wise
one and that only in isolated instances
will there be such changse in value
during any four years of tlie future as
to werk hardship on either the taxpay
er of the conuty. It is not a vital ma -
ter, however, and changes if deemed
necessary can be made without impair
ing the efficiency of the hill in its en
tirety.
Assessment of Banks
"Section 77 of the proposed revenue
law provides the method of assessing
banks by adding undivided prefits und
surplus to the par value of the shares
an) j deducting the assessed value of tl a
real estate belonging to the bank. The
present method of permitting the de
duction of debt sowed is abolished and
no fairer way can be found for assess
ing this class of property. A very large
percentage of bank stock has hereto
fore been exempt practically from pay
ment of taxes by reason of tha present
law authorizing the stockholders to
off-set obligations due by him against
'.lie value of his stock.
j nier:d the
Delinquent Taxes
"*• itlc 10 of the main bill, sections
1 1'8 to 164 inclusive, treats of the im
portant subject of delinquent taxes and
provides an entirely new method of se
curing tax titles. Under our present sy
tem our citizens are in continual dan
ger of losing their property through in
advf rtence and carelessness in pay
ing of their tuxes and many cases
hive recurred during the past year of
peculiar Hardship and clearly proving
that a reform should be had. Tlie main
danger under our present system is due
to the fact that the purchaser of tlie
tax title can obtain deed in three years
to tlie property in issue without) notice
to tlie real owner. This is remedied in
the bill by providing for foreclosure
proceedings in a court, and this com
pels summons to be issued, notice giv
en Mid the usual time for redemption
after judgment and execution. I com
ystem as being a happy sol
«ill
by
a
tion of the present difficulties^ growing
out if the loose methods now prevail
*ng.
Taxes Payable Half Yearly
"An innovation has been made by
the provision« of section 132 cf tlie
main bill, in that taxes are to be pay
able
and
twice a ter. I believe this a wise I't
salutary reform and that it should !
commend itself to your favorable con
sideration The laws of both Oregon
and Washington contain similar provi
sions and I understand have worked
out well In their practical operation.
Exemptions
"Section 12 of the proposed revenue
law treats of exemptions and is worthy
in its new provisions of ycur most
The
careful eonsiibration
-hanges are:
"First, exemption of improvements
cn land occupied or-used as a home by
its owner, in tlie sum of $2500.
"I believe the principal involved is
correct; the welfare of tlie state re
quires as many home owners as possi
ble. Our poorer citizens should be en
couraged to build and own their homes,
Nothing tan facilitate this in greater
important !
J
THE EFFECTIVE LAXATIVE.
_ .
TBftff Lik# md Is Eaton Lik# Canny*
u f
^" ^"'^"lnes, we believe we
han „„„ h>(1 «, lnerte nce with any
have never had experience with any
Remedy that gave auch great satisfac
tion to our customers as do Rexall
Orderlies. This Remedy Is not like
any other laxative or cathartic. It con
tains all the good features of other
laxatives, but none of their faults.
Our own faith in Rexall Orderlies Is
strong that we offer them to yon
with our ow-n positive personal guar
antee, that if they do not thoroughly
satisfy you, you only need tell us and
will hand ba.ck to you every penny
you paid us for them. Therefore, In
trying them upon our recommendation
you take no risk whatever.
Rexall Orderlies taste like and are
eaten like candy. They do not gripe,
cause nausea, excessive looseness, or
any other annoyance. They act so
easily that they may be taken at any
time, day or night. They are particu
larly good for children, aged, or deli
cate persons. They are put up In con
venient tablets in three sizes of pack
ages. Prices, 10c., 2üc., and 50c.
Remember, Rexall Remedies can
be obtained in this community only
at our store — The Rexall Store.
Palace Drug Store.
degree than a proper exemption from
taxation of such homes. The amount
of the exemption cuts but small figure
in. comparison with the principal in
volved. The correctness of that prin
cipal I strongly urge upon you; the
amount exempted should be finally de
termined after full and careful consid
eration.
'Sc-cci-d, the household furnituie.
musical Instrumente and jewelry in ac
tual use is exempted.
" Those are proper subjects for ex
emption in my judgment as no income
can be had from them, they are not
bought and letained for speculation
and their exemption will mean in man
cases the acquisition of comforts and
conveniences that would not be in
dulged in if their ownership and use
was accompanied by the payment of
taxes on their value.
a
ing in orchard form and grape vines
for three years after planting vine
yards
"Third besides growing crops, fruit
and nut beat ing trees are exempt for
foui years frc-m the time of their plant,
"There, I believe are proper subjects,
of exemption. While the value of
Improvements soon exceeds the value
ard and vineyard areas of the state.
of the 1; nds upon which p'anted, it
must he lemembered that no income is
produced from the orchard or vineyard
during the time for which exempted
and an (ncrous burden cf taxation is
imposed upon the owner while waiting
the time for returns. Besides the value
of the trei s and vines can never be
successfully determined until the bear
ing time begins. T especially urge up
on you the adoption of this idea and
believe it will vastly add to the crch
'xemptions of Money
"The most radical change in our ex
emption system' is proposed by subdi
vision 12 of section 12, which provides
for exemptions of money, evidence of
ii.debtness and accounts. Upon
principal 1 should oppose this change
were it net for the fact that we have
tried for nearly 50 years to reach theia
things fer taxation purposes and la
mentably failed in so doing. Practically
«ill the taxes paid by owners of this
class cf property now comes from
(hose who are not dealers in money.
Those who possess such property in
large amounts invariably escape taxa
tion. There are many ways by which
such persons can evade assessment
thereon and I cannot conceive any way
by which this class of property in the
main can be successfully) reached. Tn a
a system might be devised under wliiclti 1,y
banks might be compelled to disclose
the nanus of depositors, but such a
system would only cripple the banking
business by causing withdrawal of de
posits. Much cf the money would be
sent out of the state, thus causing
great injury to all our people, and we
would not finally be gainer of any
greatly increased amout from this
source. It is the part of wisdom then
in my opinion to make a virtue out of
the necessity and by entirely exempt
ing money credits and) evidences of in
debtedness, invite capital to cur state
aad thus reap a real benefit.
Full Cash Value
"I he full cash value sysi m is main
tained under the provisions of the pro
posed revenue law as the basis for as
sessnu nt This 1 urge, should be done,
I't is impossible to equalize taxation tin
! der any ether system. Only) by assess
S
as
iu
an
*
ing all taxable property at its real
value cnn the curse cf high tax rates
he avoided. To the intending settler
pud to the prospective investor does
high property values and low tax rates
most strenuously appeal. In many
states where tax reform has been niad
a leading issue this idea has been sitv
c essfully carried out, and the results
! have been uniformly satisfactory. Tr
J have 'lie assessment roll of our great
state loss in amount than the roll of
some third class cities of the older
: fates, as it lias been for years. Is a
reproach to Idaho and lessens
chances both to develop cur resources
ami increase our population.
To urge, as has been repeatedly
done during the past year, that an in
e r.-ase in our assessment roils means
il
our 1
an increase in the amount of taxes th;(l
must be paid, is taking a position ab
solutely untenable. It is an axiem that
a certain amount is required to main
tain state, county and municipal gov
ernments, and this amount in no wise
depends upon the amount of the as
sessed property. Whether, the assessed
value of Idaho this coming year is one
hundred millions or one thousand mil
lions makes not one dollar difference t
the amount required to maintain the
state government and state institu
tions. It would affect the tax rate
only. So with counties and municipal
ities, they are under the sama general
rule. True, it has been urged by oppo
nents of tax reform that the increase
in assessed value in Idaho during the
ast year has resulted In increased
taxes. It is true that in some counties
the amount of taxes paid has been ma
terially increased. Careful inquiry
shows, however, that in no case has
this been the result of carrying out
the »ash value system but due to the
board of county commissioners o< such
counties and the controlling boards of
municipalities taking advantage cf the
increased valuation to raise greatly in
creased amounts for certain purposes.
To demonstrate this. I call attention to
the amounts collected in 1909 and 1910
as compared with 1911 in various coun
ties, and also the tax rate for each, of
such years as shown by the records in
tiie office of the state auditor.
"This table is instructive in many
ways. It seems in Ada county there
wis raised for state and county pur
poses in 1911 the large sum of $566,
131.10 as against $289,471.15 in 1909
and $343,071.98 in 1910. So we find the
aggregate in 1909 and 1910 is $632,543.*
1" being only 10 per cent less than the
amount raised in 1911, and considering
the county taxes alone the amount for
1911 is practically the same as reased
the two preceeding years. As municipil
taxes are not included, but have also
been greatly exceeded, is to be won
dered that the taxpayer protests? Can
a. better argumeht he made in favor of
a 'limitation upon the taxing power cf
county and municipal boards?
"This record shows that in Bannock,
j Bear Lake, Custer and TwinFalls there
l as been a raise of approximately 45
1 er cent in 1911 over 1910 for state
and county purposes. In Boise, Elmore
and Lemhi the raise has beer» between
30 and 3u per cent, while in Canyon it
been 48 per cent, in Kcotenai 56
her cent over the 1910- assessment! and
25 percent over that of 1909; in Latah
58 per cent and in Blaine 62 per cent,
lu Washington county we find that al
though Adams county was this year
taken from its former boundaries, still
32 per cent more is raised this year
from the remaining territory than was
raised in the two counties in 1910 and
a trifle more than in 1909. Onieda with
a raise of 18 per cent, Shohsone of 22
per cent and Owyhee of 27 per cent,
make a tolerable fair showing, while
Bonner, Cassia and Idaho show praeti
cally the same as heretofere and the,
raise is no greater than the increase cf
1,y 64 per cen ^'
"The other new counties created last
s*at.i> and county purposes to vary fn a
S mills as 't is in Fremont to 21 V«
state expenses would warrant. Fremoit
county shows $170,569 raised this year
as against $253,530, 1909 and $208,582
iu 1910, and shows what careful man
agement will do for the taxpayers' ben
efit. Nez Perce county, however, is
only 5 per cent less than in 1910, al
though its territory was reduced and
necessarily its proper expenses also, by
the counties of Clearwater and Lewis
having been created at your regular
session. i
"Bingham county although divided
also at your late regular session, shovs
an entirely different condition, the
levy for 1911 being nearly 45 per cent
less than in either 1909 or 1910, while
the new county of Bonneville exceeds
the 1911 amount collected in Bingham
session make a still more creditable
showing, and it is a source of gratifi
cation that in every county created by
you, although taxes would naturally bo
* igh the first year, the rate is consid
erable less than in the average of the
older counties.
" That t in re is something radically
wrong in a system that permits the
tax nue in the several counties fer
mills as h is hi Lemhi, can hardly be >
questioned As the state tax is practic-j
ally 3 mills only, the fault cannot be
charged to the state officers. It rests
il p ;ii !h.> county and municipal author
ities alone, although 1 regret to say
some of them have tried to convey a
different impression. The need of
proper rcstrictlcn of the power to levy
is shown conclusively by thesd figures.)
Says He is Not to Blame
•• The whole amount of taxes raised
in 19 U for state and county purposes
is $4.557.795 as against $ 3 , 286 , 557.78
iu 1910 and $3,146,003.17 in 1909. An
increase of course was to be expected,
lieth because there was an additional
em. unt of over $ 200,000 raised for state
purposes, and the cost of maintaining
some of the county governments, espe
daily the new counties, was increased,
ijiit there can be no excuse given for
on increase of $1,217.139 over 1910. an
1 increase of over 38 per cent.
"Tiiis increase in the amount paid by
tlie different counties in not as will be
readily seen, due to the enforcement of
the cash value system, and the blame
therefore cannot be leglmately placed
0 ON SAVINGS COMPOUNDED TWICE
0 A YEAR.
UNDER STATE SUPERVISION.
Our Usefulness
HAVE
A
OF
BANK
IK TO LOAN MONEY FOB THE DEVELOP
MENT OF ENTERPRISES IN BLACKFOOT
AND VICINITY. OUR RESOURCES ENABLE
US TO EXTEND EVERY ACCOMMODATION
TO PATRONS CONSISTENT WITH CONSERVA
CHECKI^H^AUCOUNTS ARE INVITED IN ANY
AMOUNT AND 4 PER CENT INTEREST IS PAID
ON SAVINGS AND CERTIFICATES OF DE
POSIT.
D. W. STANDROD & CO.
BANKERS
BLACKFOOT IDAHO
U. S. DEPOSITORY For POSTAL SAVING FUND
upon the shoulders of myself or any|ased
other state officer, but must rest) whe al
it belongs, on the county and city au- 1
thorities. This must have been evident
at all times to the newspapers and indr
viduals who have given the subject any;
thought, and leads us to believe that
those who have persistently charged
the increase in amounts paid as taxes
to the enforcement of the law, were,
in so doing, either woefully ignorant of
the subject discussed or were inten
tionally trying to deceive the people. I
do not refer of course in this connec
tion to the dismal croakings of those
whose taxes have the past year been
greatly increased for the sole reason
that during the years preceeding they
had been of the favored few whose
property was assessed at lower) figures
than that of their neighbors and thus
imposed their own tax burdens on the
less fortunate in the community who
were thereby compelled to pay an ex
cessive amount. The bowlings of this
class should sound as sweet music in
the ears of all right-minded citizens.
Other Bills Presented
"I present to you herewith not only
the main revenue law proposed' but sev
eral proposed constitutional amend
ments and a number cf other bills on
revenue matters prepared by the com
mission. These are all matters requir
ing your earnest consideration. I do
not wish it understood that in present
ing these bills I am advocating their
passage without change, as they are
handed to you perfect in form but with
the expectation you will make such
necessary changes advisable. The iud
pendent bills especially those in regard
to fixing levies and similar matters are
mere suggestions. Some of them in
my judgment require radical changes,
....
especially so in the matter of municipal
limitation of indebetedness, as a dis
tinction should be made in liabilities
incurred for ordinary expenses and
these where the amount to be expend
ed is for public utilities to be owned
by the corporaticn.
"It is a mooted question whether a
constitutional amendment should not
be presented to the people making pos
sible by future legislation the ena
ment of statutes permitting the taxa
tion from railways and similar corpo
rations to be devoted to state pur
poses, with provision for a division of
the surplus among the counties. The
consideration of this and other matters
of equal consideration can, in my judg
ment, be properly postponed to some
succeeding legislation assembly.
Necessary for Prompt Action
"The main revenue law' should be
acted upon promptly and the other
matters involved can be considered
later. Under the system that was
permitted to grow up through years of
violation of the law by which each as
sessor sought to keep as low as pos
sible the valuation of the taxable prop
erty of his county, the levy in tlie mu
nicipal subdivisions of some counties
r< ached the abnormal figures of 7 and
S per cent, and at such appalling fig
ures eastern financiers could not l:e e: •
pecter to make investments, especially
in view of the fact that the law plainly ]^
demanded full cash valuation. To
financiers such levies spoke confisca
tion. And practically all the levies in
tlie various counties looked exceedingly
large to new comers from the older
states, and there was no more difficult
development of the state than explain
! ing these high levies with the lew va'
! ution and the substantial prices asked
i for property. In many cases this or
bination cf causes has proven insur
j mountable,
i "The entire system was an invitation
task confronting those interested in the
| to bankruptcy and even with these
high levies sufficient funds were not
I raised for the conduct of the business
: of some of the counties, or else the
; commissioners have been grossly ex
; travagaut in Tixing the sums to be ex
; pended for the current year,
; "This same condition once confrent
ed our neighboring states of Washing
: ton and Oregon and sa acute became
the undervaluation competition in Oro
; gon that the taxable property as re
turned by the assessors actually decre-i
at one period as compared with
previous years. Both of these states
have created tax commissions, with( the
result that the valuations have been
increased, the levies reduced and more
uniform and equitable assessments
have been made.
• The state of Ohio, by means of a
tax commission and limiting the max
imum levies, has also remedied evils
similar to those developing Idaho.
"The state of Idaho should profit by
the experience of the older common
wealths, and in this era of universal
education and publia discussion and
the great activities cf the printing
press, with rapid communication there
should be no need of investigation ex
pending over a long period, as data
affecting every branch of the question
is at ycur command, and this legisla
tive assembly should take it upon it
self to enact legislation of a permanent
character and place Idaho in line with
her sister states of the republic.
Scores Those Who Differ
"I do not think it out of place to
call jour attention to the duty of, dismis
sing from your consideration all ques
tions of mere partisan advantage and
to state the people are in no mood for
petty partisanship. Tlie people ex
pect alike from your honorable bodies
and from myself at this particular time
the best service of which we are cap
able without regard to what the ef
fect may be on persons or parties.
They have the right to expect each
and every of us to rise to the full
measure of patriotic citizenship and do
our whole duty as God gives us the
light to see that duty.
"The unfounded abuse of the ignor
ant who cannot comprehend, and the
vicious who do not desire the enforce
„ , ...
ment of law; the untruthful utterances
and biased statements of partisan
newspapers, so intent on party advant
age as to be willing to sacrifice the
best interests of the state if by so
doing they might possibly injure a
political opponent; the deceptive ut
terances of small fray politicians,
prompted by self interest, to fall in
line with supposed public sentiment
and willing to array the people of the
commonwealth) against each other if
thereby they could receive the support
of the class most numerous in its vot
ing power, should alike be disregarded
by the high-minded officers entrusted
with important duties whose strict per
formance will alone satisfy the law and
iusure the public weal.
"I can conceive of uo legislative as
sembly that could be better prepared
than are you to enact revenue laws
that will be just and equitable and that
will be in accordance with the progres
sive spirit of the age. Each and every
of you have had the benefit of the ex
perience of a full legislative session,
many of you have served in a legis
lative capacity for several terms, you
will be aided in your deliberations by
the reports and bills prepared by a
commission composed of two cf the
leading lawyers of the state and I have
l )Ur P ose ly kept the matter for your con
s ' rat *°n limited to the one vital sub
]^ ec ^ 80 your attention can he
siven
edks
"I am fully aware that agencies are
ai work urging delay, and seeking to
make this legislative assembly doubt its
own wisdom and patriotism, but I most
sincerely believe that you will not give
heed to those who plainly show they
have ulterior objects in view and have
resorted to the threadbare tactics of
the lobbyist, who, being unable to ad
vance his own cause by legislative ar
gument seeks to hinder progress by
proposing indefinite and remote rem
"rhe time Ur action is now-, and the
people of Idaho look to this special ses
sion of the legislature for the enact
ment of remedial legislation, and 1
have implicit confidence you will ap
proach the subject in the same spirit
in which it is presented, absolutely free
from partisanship and with the sole
aad single purpose of serving the peo-<
pie of Idaho faithfully and well.
"Respectfully submitted.
"JAMES H. HAWLEY,
"Governor." I