Graham Guardian

A FEW OBSERVATIONS

On account of the washouts we have not been able to keep a close scrutiny on the doings of the legislature, but as near as we can ascertain no important legislation has yet been enacted, although more than a hundred bills have been introduced in the house. This is surprising as large number of the bills are worse than child's play. Very few of our law makers seem to have any idea of the real needs of the territory. The revenue laws are in a terrible condition. These should be remedied and there is enough work there to keep the legislature busy the entire sixty days, without fooling its time away with worse than useless legislation. Let the legislature start in on the revenue laws by abolishing the territorial board of equalization and then go right on down the line. Of course the abolishing of the board of equalization would meet the determined opposition of the railroads and those who voted for it may find on their return home, that their passes would not be honored, but they would have the knowledge of having done something for the benefit of the territory.

If the board of equalization is abolished, the best substitute by the organic act, is to create another board consisting of the Chairman of each of the boards of supervisors in the territory. If this is not permitted then leave the equalization to the county boards entirely. If this is done we know that railroads that cost more than $60,000 per mile to build will not be assessed at about $5,000. If the members of the legislature have no serious legislation in mind let them give this subject some thought and they will find a broad and fertile field for action.