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Show TOO MUCH SECRECY. We are in accord with the Salt Lako Tribune in the following condemnation of secret methods employed in the public service of this state: "One great bane in the public servico in this state, from top to bottom, is the proncness of various publio bodies to transact their business in secret. We have noted manifestations of this tendency all the way along the line ; in the school district, in tho city government govern-ment and in tho state government. Altogether too much public business busi-ness is done In secret, but in fact, no publio business whatever should be dono secretly. We have had occasion in times past to consurrs the board of education of this city for transacting its business in secret se-cret so that the first intimation that the public had of a given proposition propo-sition would be in its enforcement, and not when tho secret steps were taken to do that business. More recently we have had occasion to condemn the city commission of this city for the like secret practice. The county commissioners are constantly guilty of this infraction of public obligation, and it is not seldom that the public is surprised by some state matter that has been kept on the quiet and is only made known when it can no longer be kept hidden. "The latest instance of this on the part of the state is the secret cut made by the State Board of Equilization on July 19, without notice no-tice and, of course, without any public reason being given. It is quite possible, that the reduction made by the Stale Board of Equalization of $274,768 in the assessed valuation of sheep, is just and propei But it certainly is neither just nor proper to have that action taken secretly, and without any notice whutevur to tho public so that the whole matter can be fully considered "iNccossarily when secret action is taken, that action is ex parti, that is, those only are heard who are in favor of the action that is proposed. There is no opportunity for those who might oppose such action to present their reasons against it. We may give full faith and credit to the board as intending to act with fairness and in the best interests of the public all things considered, but it yet remains undisputed that any such action is in the nature of ex parte action, unci is subject t the just objection that the public is prevented from any opportunity to have the avIioIc matter fairly considered when secret action is 'taken. "It may b'p that the State Board of Equalization can present perfectly good reasons for making the 10 per cent reduction m the value J)f sheep in the counties where that reduction was put into effect! But it may also be that other reasons could have been presentee pre-sentee had the public known of the intention of the board, that would have prevented or modified the action. And then, it is certain that when the board takes action of this kind secretly, the impression is apt to prevail that it is not entirely satisfied with the reasons for the action taken, since", if it were a clear case that action ought to be taken, there would be no reason why the public should not be informed in-formed of it, and the whole matter be open as it ought to Ue. The public always has the absolute right to know what its public servants are doing in its behalf." |