The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1894-01-17

The stand that is being taken by GER
tain Republican members of the Legls-
lature on the question of taxing mort
cages is exciting some surprise among
those who know OF the stand that was
taken on this question during the last
campaign by Republicans all through
the territory, particularly in the nor
thern counties. The Democratic nomi-
nees were compelled to meet charges
of favoring the rich men at the ex-
pense of the debtor class. This charge
was repeated all through the territory
and many votes were made for the
Republican nominees because of their
assertions
But now they have come here to Salt
Lake, some of them are inclined 10
turn their backs on the pledges mace
in the platforms on which they were
elected and on the promises made Tor
them to the people and are not SO
strenuous in their desire to have the
measure passed There are one or two
Republican members who stand clearly
out as opposed to the measure, VINO
were elected on platforms which SAID
nothing of this question, but even
in the districts of these gentlemen the
issue.
yarian was not elected on this issue.
johnson, the only other Republican
member of the lower house, who has
come out in favor of the proposition,
was elected on such a platform and
undoubtedly owes his election to his
representations on this subject There
are also others who even went on the
stump and proclaimed to the world
that the Democratic legislature OF
1882 did a great wrong when 1T 70
pealed the law taxing mortgages, who
are now putting themselves on record
as against the measure.
There is no denying the fact that
the passage of the law of 1892 was
recommended by the Republican gov
ernor, recommended by the supposedly
bipartisan board of equalization, by
the bipartisan chamber of commerce
and by many others of both parties,
or, to sum the matter UP, that no par
tisanship entered into the considera-
ton of the bill. In fact, it seemed to
be a good thing, and therefore both
Democrats and Liberals united to Sc
cure it's passage and the Republican
governor discovered no hesitation in
giving it the stamp of his approval.
Under this showing, it seemed like a
dishonorable thing for the Republic
cans to endeavor to make it party
measure. But after they have done
that it appears that the ideas of all of
| them are thoroughly in accord with
1.-THE ideas of the legislators who re-
ipealed the law taxing mortgages. That
law was not repealed because it was
found that a repeal would benefit the
money lenders. On the contrary, it
was repealed because it was found that
it did not reach that class and was
therefore of no effect, or when of effect
worked hardship.
There is not a member of the LegiS-
lature Of 1892. there is not a member
/ of the Legislature of today who does
not believe in making the wealthy
! class bear a just share of the burdens
of government. But the Legislature
of 1892 and a majority of the members
/ of the Legislature that is, now meet
| ing believe that such a measure as
that introduced by Johnson some days
ago, such a measure as that introduced
by Varian yesterday or such meas
ure as that which was repealed in
/ 1892 would have no effect in producing
! the much desired result.
| Under this showing the Republicans
who made the fiery speeches on the
stump in which they accused the Demo
Gratis of bad faith in the repeal of
the law appear in a very bad light
Either they wilfully misrepresented the
case to the voters, or they have re-
ceived light since they came to the
meeting of the Legislature. The for
mer theory is tenable, as the men who
spoke on this question have had every
opportunity to get at the inside facts
in regard to it. If they did misrepre-
sent they were untrue to the people
and should be allowed to have no
more voice in the affairs of the terri
] for 1oh leo.
prehension until they came here they
should go to their constituents and
tell them how wrong they were.
Viewed In whatever way they may
choose, the Republican majority is
placed in very peculiar light on this
question, when only one man who was
elected on a platform of that kind can
be found true to his promises. Those
who said nothing on this subject dur
ing the campaign, and there are6one or
two who did, are entitled to some con-
sideration, but those who went before
the people with a trumped-up charge
of incompetency against the Demo-
Gratis and have now come here and
taken the same stand that was taken
by the Democratic Legislature in 1892,
should feel ashamed.
The new bill of Mr.. Varian, intro
Iduced yesterday. was evidently made
in order to meet some of the objec-
lions that We're offered to Mr.. Johnson
bill, by providing that no contract
shall be made whereby the borrower
shall be made to pay the tax on mort
cages. But this eXempts nonresident
LENDERS and is a practical legislation
against the home capital, which will
have to go out at a higher rate of
Interest or suffer the loss of the tax
This is unjust.
But that exemption of foreign CAPT.
talists leaves q, very large loophole out
of which the lender may crawl, as he
can go to Wyoming, have his money
placed with a straw man, come back
and be the agent for that straw man
and have his money exempt from exc
cution.