Telegram-herald., 1890-10-16

A. A. Ellis, the nominee of the Demo-
cratic and LaboringInen's parties for
Attorney-G General, has written a letter
10 the sparta Grange of this county,
making a detailed statement of his
ideas Of the political economy which
should apply to this State and Nation.
AS ne IS seeking this Office because of
competency" we suppose his state
ment IS made, TO have a legal bearing
and one which would stand judicial
test. We Will review 1t as briefly as
possible.
First, he SAYS: 'I believe that COM
potency, honesty and sobriety are tlie
essential elements Tor pubic officer"
Well, who does not? And by perusal
Of the remsinder Of the statement, we
believe, IS the people desire compet-
ency IN an Attorney General, they Will
cast their votes for the present incum-
beat OF that Office, and permit Mr.
Ellis 70 remain at home, IN the seelunon
OF private life where his incompetency
will not be so apparent to the public.
He says in the second subdivision OF
bis statement:
"I beheve in equal taxation. and
am opposed TO the class legislation of
this state that taxes man $1,000 on q
500 farm when he owes half OF its
value IN a mortgage; and while I would
let the landowner pay the tax on the
mortgage, so it would not escape taxa
ton. would give him q q receipt for
whzt ne paid, and l would make that =
legal tender 70 the mortgage for so
much principal or interest on the
mortgage. Tbs would resch foreign
money lO1uers as well as residents.
At the present time, and for thirty
yearsunder the Republican rule in tins
state, Ne have mad only class legisa-
ton in this particular. / certainly be-
leve that al property should bear It's
proportion of the pubic burdens, ex-
sspt IA case Of poor people, and would
exempt 70 every hoysseboider = home
worth. say. $1,000 free from taxation.
let the property, not the poverty OF the
Nation. paY the taxes"
Tais method Of taxation was followed
IN good old Democratic days IN this
state, and if it is class legislation now
Il certainly was then; and why, if Mr..
Ellis IS honest and sober, two Of HI:
essential elements" for n public Off
Ger, does ne say, at The present time,
and for thirty yesrs under the Rspublt
can rule IN this state" thereby tryIne
% make "A appear 90 those, whom ne
addresses. thst this IS a sin peculiar t.
the Republicans only, when the methOc
was first adopted by the Democrats in
tins State. IL he does not kno " TIN
he is TOO ignorant to be an Attorney
General; and IL be does know Il, wher'
is his honesty Bat how = his suggested
method gong to help she farmer
any one slse-who has present mort
gage upon his real estate wheths
such method OF payments Of a tsl
upon future mortgages would be legal
or otherwise. It certainly w0ald not b
soss to present mortgages; andif be i
eompetent - be a. Attorney Geperal o
tae state Of Michigan, ne knows !
would be iIlexsl.
But let us see what effect such (
rlethcd - suggested BY hEh wouls
have % lessen t1s burdens Of mort
rszes. Mr. Elhs knows thst mostly II
the mortgages executed IN tAss STAT
upon real eststs are execated 30 seesr
the payrent of premssory notes. an
II he IS competent ~ Be an Attorne
General Re Knows that eur sgprsna'
Court has decided that prem issor'
notes secured BY mortgages loss nom
Of ths sssributes of negctishility, be
esuse Of s,leh seeaTity, and ae sno~s
if BE = competent 50 be ~ kttorns,
General. tbst negctiable uetes, befof'
maturity. rsss eurrsut sn1ongst ~
ps0Bie wissSas aay equity attachAng 8