Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-09-08
BENJAMIN b. oDELL.

expenditure for many public purposes. This IL
illustrated in the increased appropriations for the
common schools which in ten years have grown
from "a, 900, 900 TO IS, 000000.
Within the period OF Republican control. more
over, the state has assumed the expense of caring
for the INDECENT and insane. That item Of ex-
pense seven years ago, when the maintenance
Of charitable institutions was principally charge
upon the counties, amounted as against the state
to only about S2 SOC, 900. The great reforms in
augurated by state control, which have done so
much for the improvement OF the condition Of
the helpless and unfortunate. compelled an ex.
pcnditure in 1899 Of nearly $9,000,000. Notwith-
standing these great and increasing burdens, Re-
publican legislation and administration have
brought about gradual lowering OF the tax rate
until this year it has reached the amazingly low
point Of 06-l0O mills on the dollar OF the equal
lied valuation Of real and personal property.
The Raines liquor tax law is also Republican
measure It has been in operation since and in
Guiding the year 1896. The Democrats have OPP
posed it in every Democratic state platform since
its enactment and have threatened its repeal This
law has brought into the town. city and state
treasures Of New York state during the five years
OF its operation the great sum Of 500 7ss s56 One
third Of this sum, $40, 202.052, has been applied
10 state purposes. while the balance, s4O.526, 9oi,
has by 50 much reduced local taxation on real
and personal property
Every reform which has been accomplished in
the state Of New York TO secure the lawful voter
the right to cast his ballot freely to have it
counted as cast and TO keep out Of the ballot
boxes illegal and fraudulent votes is Of Republic
origin We charge upon the Democratic par.
ty, especially in the city of New York, an organ.
lied conspiracy to defeat the purpose of the cleo
tion laws and to carry the elections by fraudu-
lent practices,
Franchise Tax Law Endorsed.
The Republican legislature has enacted the
franchise tax law. which is now for the first time
being put in operation. Its results cannot yet be
stated. Tile taxation Of corporations enjoying the
use Of public property will continue TO be, as IL
has been in the past, policy Of the Repub-
licans.
We believe that in the interest Of the health
and comfort Of citizens the people OF the munich
palities should own and operate their water sup
plies, and the Republican party will favor legsla-
ton to enable every municipality the just rights
OF all being conserved, TO enter upon and take
under the condemnation laws the watersheds nee
essary 70 secure for their inhabitants adequate
water supply.
The canal question is referred 10 at
length and the maintenance of the state
waterways urged and judicious admins
tration pledged.
Credit is given the Republican party
for the enactment of labor laws which
extend protection to the workingman and
to women and children employed in mer-
camille establishments. The increased
prosperity enjoyed by the farmers Of the
state OF New York engaged in marketing
an important product is referred to thus
The legislature has encouraged by reasonable
appropriation the establishment OF the sugar beet