The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-10-28
A PROUD RECORD.
Why the Pennsylvania Farmers
Should Support Gregg ana
Morrison.

htOi i0OlA.
No man in public hfe in Pennsylvania
Is better or more favOrably known TO the
farmers Of the state than ex-Auditor Gen
eral Jerome B. Niles, of Tiogs county. He
has been prominent in their councils and
time and time again fought their battles
for equalization Of taxation. Through
the medium of the Republican party the
efforts Of General Niles and those acting
with him have rot been in vain
In very thoughtful interview Gener-
al Niles tells what has been accomplish
ed by the Republican party IN relieving
the granger interests Of the burdens Of
taxation, and points out why every farm
er should vote for both Gregg and Nor
rison, the Republican candidates for
auditor general and state treasurer, re-
spectively, at next msnth's election
Il desire to preface my answer As to
the reason Why farmers and real estate
owners said ex-Auditor General Niles,
should support the Republican state
ticket by short reference 70 the past
Our party came into power in Pennsyl-
vania in 1s60. For many years, with
slight Interruptions, our political oppo-
nents had practically been in control Of
the various departments Of the state gov
ernment. We found the nation confront
ed with gigantic rebellion, business
prostrated and public confidence every
where destroyed.
AT that time the state was burdened
BY debt Of from SS5,OO0,OOO TO $4,000
900, and for which it had but very little
to show. The years succeeding 1880 are
marked with too mighty events to be
soon f1rgotfen. To meet the demands Of
our imperiled country burdens heavy
were imposed upon the people. Many
tens Of millions Of dollars were raised in
this commonwealth By taxation 70 pay
bounties, etc, 70 Union soldiers. During
all these years the leaders Of the party
promised that when the peril was past,
when peace and plenty came again, the
burdens imposed by the war should be
lifted from the people, as far as possible,
consistent with the safety Of the state.
In furtherance Of such promises an act
passed Feb. %, 1856, providing, Section
4, from and after the passage Of this act
the real estate of this commonwealth
shall be exempt from taxation FOR state
purposes p. L, 1866, page S. So far
as know, prior TO this time, real estate
had at all times paid taxes for state pur-
poses. In pursuance Of this policy Of re-
lieying the people Of the support Ofthe
state government an act was passed and
approved on June >, 1871 P. l., PSI, re-
pealing the act which imposed tax of
per cent on incomes Of trsdesmen, occu-
pations and professions over 500 Again,
by an act approved March q, 1873, the
laws imposing taxes upon mules, horses,
mares, geldings and cattle for state pur-
poses Was repealed. (P. l., 1873, page
90
RELIEF FROM TAXATION.
1T will be noticed that since those
wears all real estate, All trades Occups-
tons and professions and horses and cat
tie have been relieved from the burdens
Of the state. It is well known that the
local and municipal taxes are the great
burdens borne BY taxpayers During
these years the money collected which
were not necessary 70 defrsy the ordina-
~ expenses Of the state government have
been applied 70 the payment Of the state
debt. As a result, il has been greatly re-
duced. On the 3Oth Of November, 1855,
after deducting the assets in the sinking
fund, the public debt was only $685.
1870. do not know how much It has
been reduced during the past SIX years,
but the amount must have been consid-
erable.
The purpose of the Republican party
has been not only 70 relieve local taxa
ton, but to aid and extend the cause Of
education Since it came into power il
has used all honorable means 70 strength
en- our common school system It viii
be noticed by the figures following that
there has been a steady increase in the
state appropriations for school purposes
Il follows, as Of course, that As the state
appropriations have been increased the
local burdens for school purposes have
been corresPondingly lessened- During
the three years Immediately preceding
the election Of Governor Curtin, in 1850
the legislature appropriated for school:
as follows: In 1855, $2SO,O0O; in 1859
S2SO.OO0 in 1860, s2S0,OOO. These sum.
included the salaries paid 70 county su-
perintendents.
N TIE CAUSE OF EDCCATIOS.
sNow let Us see what has been done in
the cause Of education in some Of the
yeaTs in which the Republicans are re-
sponsible for the legislation:
I In lss5 and IssS. each yeAr..-.-...-.Slooo coo o.
IN Isl and 49, each year----.------------ oooo
In Isss and lssn, each yez------.-.----. a.oooOo
In 1891 and Issa each yezz--..--.-----.-. 5000
This shows an annual increase Of 81.
10000 over the wears 1s5s, 1859 anC
1880, and to that extent in this item
alone has real estate been relieved.
again, prior 70 lSsS the INDECENT in
sane had been supported by the lOcs
u;horities, but as the state debt melted
away and the taxes Of the great corpora
tions increased il vas believed that the
state could well afford 70 assist in ths
care and maintenance Of the unfortunate