Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1898-11-05
ioUNG DEMOCRAT
VOTES REPUBLICAN
"i'es Sound and Logical Reasons
For His Action.
swallow a Pound of Quin.
Inc to Get a Little Grain
Of Sugar.

party state platform should be
carefully considered by every voter in
lnE state, Tor that political instrument
sa ans not only Tor the recognition and
enforcement by the state of a new sys-
TEN OF taxatlon-the single tax-and for
.ne adoption by the United States of an
Il[eueemabie paper currency, but also
calis 'or Radical change from our pres
,e sl'l Iopan OF state government, constitu-
lohai and representative by districts in
character, to pure democracy wherein
au uhorldled majority rule directly, re-
gardless o! representative and senatorial
districts. As am opposed to each and
all OF these proposed radical changes,
and especially opposed to a policy con
templatIDg the effectiDg of so many rad
lcai changes all at once, and as | shall
at the coming election, by reason OF this
opposition, vote Tor the republican con-
gItsslonal and legislative ticket, desire
10 submit to my fellow citizens some of
my reasons Tor taking this position re-
speeding these proposed measures.
In the language of their platform, the
peoples party demand the submission
to the people of the state of Washington
OF constitutional amendment that will
permit exemptions from taxation of per-
sonal property and improvements in
and upon land
The enforcement of such a proposed
amendment would cause the following
results in Whitman county:
L. 1t would have to pay much
larger portion of the state tax than I'M
der the present system of equal taxation.
Tor the exemptions in this county would
comparatively be small, as this county's
wealth lies principally in its realty; while
The wealth OF the other large counties
lies largely in personal property and in
improvements on land, by reason of
their large cities.
>. That tax of 81 Is mills would
have to be levied by our county commits
sioners upon our present assessment OF
total land values ($6,056, 503) to realize
the same amount of taxes as would the
present IA mill levy upon the total as
sessment of all our property ($11, 1885,
15O)-that is to say, that under the
single tax system we who have farms
would be called upon to pay about
double what taxes we now pay upon
item under the present system of equal
taxation.
3. That in the cities and towns in
this county the levy for city taxes would
have to be at least trebled on account of
the heavy exemptions. OF course, there
would be some relief against such a
high levy to most of the citizens in the
benefit they would derive from their ex
emptions; but all could not get such
benefit, and the city governments posi-
bly, gould not get enough revenue tC
neet'.theirs current expenses tc say moth
ing OF paying their. debts, for @,he Simple
y reason thatthere is a limitat.pn upon
their rate OF levy.
4. The rolling stock and improve.
ntnts of the railroad companies would
be except from taxation. Thus this
sysserz of TAXATION would be q most in.
iquitsus ore, for the reason that the
class of individuals who have nothing
but PERSONAL property-of which class
belong those who are clamOring for the
repeal OF that constitutional guaranty
al equal taxation-would be given an
advantage over the class of persons who
nave realty principally; and for the fur
tner reason that an advantage would be
gwen TO the west side of the mountains.
where the hot bed of single tax support
ers exists, over this side where lie our
fertile fields. Shall we in Whitman
county array ourselves in the COMING
election with the single takers in the
people g party? Not |. Where should
the democrats stand on this tax issue
when 1t always has been one of their
cardinal principles that special immuni
ties should be granted to none? With tn,
peoples party, favoring the single tax
or with the republican party, declaring
against 1t? | leave them to make thei
answer at the ballot box in the comm.
election.
About the Referendum.
Also, in the language of their platform
4 the peoples party declare that they ''be
I'D iieve that the majority should rule, an
II upon all grave public questions the vote
OF the people should be heard directly
and for the purpose OF securing thi
most essential reform pledge the legisa
ture OF the state of Washington to b
elected by the peoples party at the con
lng election to the submission of sue
constitutional amendments as shall e
lectually secure to the people the pOwe
20 initiate, enact and repeal laws"
We all, L believe, regard it as goo
business Judgment not to invest in eithe
cOpartnership or a private corporatio
only as there are articles of incorpore
ton or partnership articles calculated t
protect the Investment against pOssibl
selfishness, ignorance and tyranny of tn
basiness associates. If this be so, niue
more need is there that in our publ
corporation, the state, wherein we a
have lnNtslSu not only our property, Du
our liberties and lives as well, there he
most rigid restraint, not only against til
- possible seltishness, ignorance and tvrar
y Spf the majority of individuals and {
riassRs, but OF communities and district
as weik such restraint we have in on
state econstJtg4as6 and ia our Unite
3tates constitution, and in our tarm c
governmsEt. whereby representative an
senatorial districts govern by their rel
resentatlVes and senator's in the legisls
ture. thus, under the present system {
state government by districts throug
representation, a majority of one in thi
senatorla1 district opposed to the singl
tax would otfseta majority of five bur
district in favor OF the single tax ak" 'O'' ID
party platform, majority rule rIe d RgeplG
all representative and senatorial Ge distcin
would practically be wiped ont o and Jet
district could be subjected to ou the ana noIs on
ness. ignorance and TYRANNY % que selnsn
district. Should we in Whitm ~, - allotee
favor such scheme OF goyernmon toU VI : :