Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1892-10-09
PROPERTY QUALIFICATIONS.

1t is n well known fact that
the Mountain Home Republican
organ has ridiculed the candidacy of
Jim Gray and others on the Demo-
cratic ticket because they are not
wealthy and consequently do not
pay as heavy taxes as those upon
the Republican ticket. The follow
ing remarks form the Malad Enter
prise are pertinent TO this question;
There are few peo ple in this country
who openly advocate property qualiii-
cation as a test Of citizenship. That
is to say that none but the most egotis-
teal possessors Of wealth have the gall
to say pointedly that men are not able
TO perform all the functions OF citizens
unless they own so many acres OF land,
so many horses or sheep, or a given
quantity OF other material wealth.
Yet there are great many men, other
wise harmless enough, who cherish the
pernicious principle that poor men
ought to keep in the background, and
that il is drcadfully presumptive for
them TO pretend any concern in public
affairs. II is not often that men have
the audacity to proclaim that poor
men have no right to hold public
Office; but every day we are told that
the heavy taxpayers ought TO run the
state, which means exactly the same
thing. And from this idea springs a
dozen other vain notions equally
absurd, tyrannical and dangerous to
human liberty. Even in local m tiers
-tritiing county affairs--the man who
pays the most money into the county
treasury is apt to think himself the
biggest man IN the community and il
not over modest about declaring his
thoughts. We are not writing for the
purpose OF censuring, or even CRITICS.
ing, that class of men who think that
the man who pays the most taxes
ought 10 have the most to say in pub
lie affairs. We are writing to war;
poorer men against the evil tendencies
OF such doctrine. 1t leads to aTisto
cracy and eventually to slavery.
places money above merit and wealth
above patriotism. We care not how
poor, how unfortunate man may be
If he be a citizen, well disposed TOWARD
the laws and Constitution OF the Unit
ed States, he is and ought to be EMIT
led TO every right, privilege and honor
accorded To any other man on account
OF such citizenship. The value of mer
10 their country cannot be measured
by dollars and cents. Wealth is no
always, il ever, an Indication of patriot
ism. The payment OF large tax is
sure sign Of wealth but no indication
OF how that wealth was acquired. Ii
this old world fraud and corruption
may make man rich while honesty
keeps many a man poor. The posses
sion OF wealth is not a sure sign of dis
honesty, but it raises presumption
that cannot initiate against the poor
Men who claim extra political consid
Grafton on account Of the taxes the,
pay are dangerous To commonwealth
and should always be regarded with
suspicion. II such a rule should be-
permitted and prevail, Rockefeller, the
coal oil millionaire, would be president
Of the United States. The Goulds and
Vanderbilts would constitute his cabi
net, and in short, the commercial
kings would be lords of all. Therefore
let poor men be jealous of their politl,
cal rights. Their strength is in mum
bers, not in possessions. In time d
crisis the Republic depends on theil
patriotism. Ii was the blood of poor
men that made us a people il was the
love and lives of ten thousand small
taxpayers that preserved us n nation
Let the rich enjoy in peace the social
distinctions and carnal pleasures which
attend on wealth-the poor mans only
comfort and solace lies in Official free.
dom and independence. BE warned
against these men who have fayora-
BILE leaning towards property qualiiica-
tons. There Is no slavery worse than
that which ayarice would impose on
poverty: there il no tyrant more iy-
ranical than wealth bent on political
power. The size Of mans tax re-
ceipt is no more an indication of
morality than are the gold pieces on a
faro table indicative of fair play. Under
our government all men are equal 80
long as they render support aud
obedience To the laws OF the country.
and men who try to establish or sug.
gest the necessity of property qualfi-
cation are prompted by selfishness and
bigotry and deserve the same consid-
Grafton which is given common
traitors.
~S~--