Show ra FBI I A R Reactionary Measure IF IF there thero be an any factor of government that should be immediately tel I within the control of the people it is tho tIm ta taxing ing power the power the I power that dictates the tax rate and that fixes the valuation of I property for taxable purposes Because this authority has bas within its hands the exclusive jurisdiction of the material prosperity of the I people the latter are rire vitally interested and should be able l le to make known their will frequently with definite expression This they cannot cannot cannot can can- not do do unless the tho of officials who fix tax levies and property assessments assess assess- t mei meats ments s are elective electie it is a matter of knowledge not of theory that V I the officer who owes his commission to the taxpayers themselves and anti andI I whose continuance in office depends upon their good will will discharge discharge discharge dis dis- charge his duties in the matter maHer he believes most like likely I to earn that 1 good will vilI t. t t V For the reason advanced the measure pending a. n n tho the Legislature V abolishing the cO county asse assessor sor as 35 an elective office and giving the I power to the state board of equalization to appoint these officers I should be defeated This proposed law emanates from the commission commis commis- I sion instituted to revise reiso the tax system of the state stale but is none the I less a mischievous ous measure Since the board of equalization would V f appoint and could remove e the assessors ors at its pleasure under the suggested suggested sugI sug sug- I statute it would make mke of the state board an nn autocracy with I the tax busin business ss of the state entirely in its us hands hand although even cven that I board is not chosen by the people but is appointed by the Governor I The people havo have not received at the hands of the state board of I equalization such services service as would warrant extending its us authority to intra county matters The public service corporations of this I state ha have e long evaded paying their just share hare towards the maintenance main main- J of government largely because the board of equalization has permitted d them to do so It would woud be worse than folly fony to give the i I t. t board more power po to throw the entire tax system of the commonwealth I unreservedly edly into its hands In addition m to that fault the measure is unusually reactionary because it deprives the people of the control i of government go at nt a time when the increase of such popular control V is IS being strongly urged It ought to be defeated V I V rI |