The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1900-09-28
SOUARELY ON THE PLATFORM

sQUARELY ON THE PLATFORM
Col Bliss in Business-like Way An
nounces What He Expects to
Make HIS Policy if he is Elect
| ed Governor
If any people had the slightest idea
that Col. A. T. Bliss would attempt to
Illustrate whatever measures the next
legislature might pass for the advance
ment OF the cause of a more just work
ing of the system of taxation in this
state they cannot longer hold to that
view after reading the following bust
ness-like statement of his position I'M
less they choose to doubt the Colonel
himself. The statement is as clear cut
and defines the position of the next
governor of Michigan as sharply as
whole pages of long drawn out sen.
fences and paragraphs could do. 1t is
another illustration of the way in which
a plain business man expresses his
thots. 1t is. the kind of brief and to the
point sort of a statement which one
would expect of man who had made
a success in life by the hard route of
farm hand and common laborer until
with his small savings he made O start
in business for himself The state.
ments which are referred to occurred
in the following speech made by the
Colonel in Detroit.
"In the time at my disposal this even
ing | shall talk on matters relating es-
pecially to Michigan. know the state
will give splendid majority for the
national ticket, keeping in line with
that magnificent column of republican
states standing for the nations advance
ment, its prosperity and its progress,
but feel that the voters of Michigan
are entitled to know my views in mat
tiers of especial concern to the state.
For years the air has been full of
equal taxation agitation. When l &C
cepted the place at the head of the
state ticket promised the convention
l would do all in my power for the ad-
vancement of the interests it had in
trusted TO my keeping, and | will keep
that promise to the very letter. said
! stood squarely upon the platform that
had been adopted and / meant every
word. Let me read the equal taxation
plank-"The Republican party renews
its allegiance to the principle of equal
and uniform taxation. All property
owners in The State. whether individuals
or CO. partners, or corporations, should
contribute their just share to the public
burden and expense and we demand
that every dollar of wealth shall be
taxed equally with every other" The
position took that day in Grand Rap
ids, hold today in Detroit, and it will
be my position the day take the oath
of Office, if it shall please the people of
Michigan to confirm the nomination of
the republican party by their votes.
"There is no better way to advance
| the welfare of the republican party
than by steps which protect every inter.
est of the people. l am friend to
every measure of legislation which con.
tains redress for any wrong that may
exist in Michigan, and will do equal
and exact justice to all alike. These
are not idle words, but are born of a
life long experience with the hard facts
of the world.
81 cannot say to certainty just
what measures will receive my sanction
as governor, for before any act of legis-
| lation reaches the executive office, it is
compelled to run the gauntlet of the
two houses of the legislature, and the
varying minds of 1879 men. But this can
be depended upon, if the act is one falling
within the lines have stated it will re-
ceive my signature, and its enforcement
my cooperation as governor.
IF it is bill placing the iron handed
disapproval of law effectively upon all
combinations of capital tending to re.
strict competition in business, to create
monopoles, to limit production, or TO
control prices it will receive my sigma.
ture. believe in the spirit of the anti
trust law placed upon the statute books
by the last legislature, and If there are
any amendments needed to make it fit
more exactly the conditions in Mich.
igan measure to that end would be-
signed promptly by me. Not only that.
but its enforcement will have the assist.
ance of every power conferred upon
the executive.
81 agree with the plank in the repub.
lican state platform which fayors tbs
strictest economy in the administration
OF state affairs. 1t is of no benefit tn
bring about fair and equal assessments
If the taxes raised thereon are not To be
economically expended and the amount
OF the appropriation bill regulates the
tax rates. There should not be anv