Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1899-10-11
SHAW GIVES FIGURES.
Governor Tells How State Debt
Disappeared.
NET CASH SURPLUS OF $445,Ooo.
This Takes the Place of Debt OF
$4Io,ooo Two Years Ago.
CORPORATION TAXES RAISED.


Assessments OF Recent Years Compared
Decrease in the Burden Laid Upon the
Farmers-Interesting Figures Showing
the Proportion Assessments Generally
Bear to Actual values-Telling Extracts
from Gov. shaw's Davenport Speech.
Governor Shaw spoke at Davenport
Monday evening, Oct. 2, to a large and
enthusiastic audience. One Of the
most interesting and valuable portions
Of his address was that devoted to a
statement of the actual condition of
the state finances and discussion of
the way in which the Republican par
ty in Iowa has looked after the in
terests of the farmers as well as Of all
classes of it's citizens. On these ques-
lions the governor spoke in part as fol-
lows:
Convict Labor.
Fortunately, there seem to be no
state issues. The Democratic party
Endorses the board of control; though
it opposes contracting convict labor
as is now under consideration by the
board. The only law, however, which
authorizes the board to contract such
labor received the vote Of every Demo-
crat, every free silver Republican, and
every Populist in the general assembly,
and the proposed policy is upon the
recommendation Of the representative
Of the Democratic party on the board,
who has been many times honored by
his party, and twice its candidate for
governor. During the four years COW
erred by the administration Of Gov
ernor Boies. convict labor was fur
nished by the state to at least two
manufacturing establishments, and no
protest was raised against the same.
think every one recognizes the un-
desirability Of contracting convict Ia
Dor whenever avoidable. What con-
clusion the board will reach, am I'M
BILE to say. 1t is purely a question for
it to determine. The chief executive
has no authority whatsoever in the
premises. 1 therefore dismiss it as in
no manner involved in this campaign.
state Debt.
Two years ago an attempt was in
dulged by the triple alliance to make
state issues play an important part
in the campaign. The reports Of state
officers Of June 80. Of that year, showed
a debt of $4,000. No member of
either of the three political parties,
whose joint forces confronted us in
that year, ever entered the capitol to
examine as to the correctness Of those
reports, but it was openly charged
that in fact the debt exceeded 100000
and some claimed it exceeded a mil
lion.
Net Surplus of $445,OOO.
Nothing is being said about the state
debt in this campaign, and for the
reason that every dollar of it was long
since paid and the reports of June 80,
1899, showed a net cash surplus of
$445,000 This fact is not complained
of, nor is it commended. 1t is simply
passed over in silence. The opposition
parties, however, declare their disap-
prevail Of the course pursued by the
Republican party in placing, as they
claim, the burden Of taxation upon the
farmers and common people to the pro.
lection of corporation interests. No
one Of them has ever been to any
state Office to discover any fact on
which to predicate these charges. Re-
publican officers have always been
charged with being corporation tools.
1t is an ayerment easily made, re.
quires no proof, and one that none
will stop to deny. The duty Of Re-
publican officials is fully met when
they keep such charges untrue.
Due the People That the Facts Be Known.
1t is, however, due the people Of the
state to know the facts about assess
ments, even though those facts are
somewhat prosy. The executive coun-
Gil is charged by statute with the duty
of assessing all railway, telegraph and
telephone companies doing business in
the state. This council Is composed of
the governor, secretary Of state, audi
tor of state and treasurer of state.
These same officials are also charged
with reviewing the assessments of all
other property, and they are author
lied to raise or lower any class or
kind of property in any county as they
deem just Therefore, whatever as
sessments exist are either made or ap-
cause for complaint exists this COM
WcH NC ulTtCttu dSdluSL
these officials, as well as against the
party responsible for theirincumbency.
Corporation Taxes Increased 100000.
During the two years last past, the
executive council has annually in
creased the aggregate assessment of
railway, telegraph and telephone COM
panies. The aggregate increase in the
assessment Of this class of property
made by the executive council in the
last two years is over 100000. Dur
ing the same period the assessment of
all other property has been decreased
Decreased Assessed Valuation of Stock.
The aggregate number Of farm ami
mails In Iowa-horses, mules, cattle,
sheep and hogs has increased in two
years 100000, while the aggregate
assessed value of all these animals has
decreased $2,600,000. If there be any
farmers present they will be able to
Judge whether the farm animals in
this state, increased as they have been
in number, % per cent. in two years,
have decreased in value More than
$40 100000. AS a matter Of fact, the
100000 farm animals In Iowe have
advanced in value more than $4,000
600. but they have been assessed 49,
Coz, 900 less.