The National tribune., 1897-01-14
GOV. PINGREE,s IDEAS.

GOV. PINGREE'S IDEAS.
The people of Michigan have waited
eagerly for Gov. Pingree's first annual
message, for they were certain that he
would advance number of new ideas
and propose some astonishing reforms
He has not disappointed them. He be.
gins with an attack on political con-
ventions He believes that conventions
of political parties should be abolished,
and suggests a system whereby a direct
vote of the ballot holder for party can
didates should be permitted.
We doubt very much the value OF
this idea. Much as has been said
against conventions they seem as yet the
best devices for attaining the ends OF
true popular Government. Direct vot-
ing for candidates has objections that
the Governor has overlooked.
On the subject of taxation he opposes the
policy of the specific taxation of corpora
tions, and recommends that steps be taken
in the form of local or general taxation to
make corporations bear their proper share
of taxes. The Governor argues that the
Legislature, having a constitutional right
to fix charges for transportation of passen-
gers aud freight, should exercise that power
10y reducing passenger rates to two cents per
mile in Michigan. He favors the adoption
Of the system of the referendum to the
granting of public franchises as check
upon corrupt local officials.
We think he is right about taxing
corporations. Railroads and similar
corporations are public servants, and
cheap service by them is more import
ant than large revenues to the State.
1t is much better to compel them to
lower their passenger and freight rates
to the lowest profitable point than to
increase the taxation upon them.
Referring to the subject of trusts and
corporations, the Governor makes q number
of recommendations. He denounces the
growth of the system,Of combinations. He
does not suggest any form of law, but con-
fines his suggestions to statements of facts,
largely directed at the Rockefeller combine
ton of mineral land ownership and control
of shipping interests Of the Great Lakes. He
SNnkn ~ a.
bond issues by insisting that all issues shall
represent capital actually paid in, and that
system whereby only percentage of sub
scribed capital is paid, aud upon this pay
ment great credit obtained, should be stopped
by legislation.
These things are worth thinking
about. Trusts and combinations seem
inevitable. There is no way of pre-
venting them. Probably they should
not be prevented, for they greatly
cheaper production, and SO benefit the
community. But they should be rigor-
ously under the control of the State,
and carefully framed laws should guard
against any injustice or oppression on
their part. The Governor should be
more specific, however. We have quite
enough windy dcnuneiation of trusts and
combinations, without any practical sug-
gestions of reform. Let us have some
thing definite. Let us have the exact
facts shown up about any one Of these
trusts and combinations, and plain,
practical remedy formulated for any
genuine evil that may be shown to exist.
Then we shall have something tangible
to work on.
The Governor opposes the taxation OF
mortgages, and suggests changes in the tax
title law. He suggests q general enabling
act, by which all property heretofore sold fol-
taxes may be redeemed by original owners
within five years of its passage, upon pay.
ment Of the original tax, costs, and pei
| cent. interest.
The Governors ideas on taxation seem
sound. The clamor about taxing mort
cages is demagogical rot. It is antago
nistic to all sound theory and practice
Every man who thinks knows that the
State should not tax any property twice
as is done when mortgage is taxed, and
every practical man knows that it bring.
additional hardship to the borrower, fol
he must pay the taxes on the mortgage
as we'll as on the property that he ha
mortgaged. 1t is tiresome to have t,
explain such simple things, but it SEEM
necessary. The Governors suggestion
as to redemption of foreclosed propert,
seem in the right direction to proven
injustice.
LET every subscriber to TIE Ma
TIoNAL TRIBUNE make it his business t,