Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-10-08

CTOBEK z. 1901.
the opposition. That fact alone was
quite enough to discredit his recon-
But the President himself |
saw his error Very likely he became
of it when he observed
this movement. So, while he did not
change his public utterance, it is I'M
derstood that he personally urged the
passage of the Porto Rican tariff.
Even that measure has been justified,
and the people of Porto Rico them
selves are now asking it's continuance.
By putting false Interpretation
upon the Presidents last speech, the
Democratic party approves it; or
rather the Democratic press of the
United States and the Independent"
press of Iowa approve their own inter-
probation of the Presidents speech.
No Controversy on State Issues.
Upon state issues there is no con-
troversy. Both parties declare in ia
vor of equality of taxation. That is
wise though not novel Others have
suggested as much Everybody is in
favor of equal taxation. ] have never
heard suggestion from anyone from
which any deduction could be drawn
but that each should bear his just pro-
portion Of public burdens. Men with
money claim willingness to pay their
share of taxes, but they do not want
to list their money at it's full value
when other property of the state is
Ecfn OF frNy, 1c1f 10 III <.f -.
value.
Facts Not Mentioned.
In view of the fact that there is no
attack made by the opposition upon
state affairs, it is safe to presume they
are in fairly good condition. -Four
years ago there was state debt of
100000, and not a democratic meeting
was held anywhere but it was referred
to. The Independent" press featured
1T in every issue. But it all has been
paid off land there was over a million
OF cold cash in the treasury four years
from the date of this much advertised
| deficiency. But this fact is not men
toned in the Democratic platform, nor
has it ever been commented upon edi-
torially in opposition papers. In addi-
ton to this, the state has expended
literally for public buildings. A his
torlcal building has been erected in
! Des Moines which is an honor to any
people. The three best educational
/ buildings in the state are in process
of construction. The one at Iowa
City is now ready for occupancy, and
the one at Ames and the one at Cedar
Falls will soon be completed. No
such educational buildings have ever
before been built by the state. And
the opportunity is propitious for the
next legislature to handsomely provide
for the ever growing needs of an ever
growing people.
Where Did the Money Come From?
OF course the money to do all this
has been raised by taxation, and the
only people who have not contributed
thereto are those who have had nc
property subject to taxation, or who
having property have concealed the
same. | do not suppose that the bur
den has been equitably distributed MOI
do suppose it ever will be. The bur
den of maintaining the schools in nc
suD-dlstrlct In Iowa was ever equitab
iy distributed. At an old settlers pic
MIC not long ago, man sat down BY
me and in the course of our visit said
with manifest" pride. that he had beer
the assessor of his township for sew
, enteen consecutive years. I asked
him how much moneys and credits HI
found among the farmers of his town
ship. He said he never found ANYONE
with money he was not going to use
asked him what he did when h,
,, found some one with thousand dol
lars idle on the first of January. H,
said that if the man intended to bu,
land or stock or something else witt
it, he did not report it. / thought
!, understood then why he had been 81
successful in retaining his office. Al
ter / reached home l made inauir,
and learned that the farmers had il
|. the several banks of that county, o.
! the first day of January, over $1,4Oo
= 600, while the business men had il
the same institutions less than s4OO
!, 600. I'll let you know some tim
!. whose money escapes taxation wit
: greater ease. While farm lands tow
y lots, live stock, merchandise, manufa,
:. turers, banks, railroads and Telegram
!. and telephone lines can all be easil
. reached, yet it is difficult to adius
- uuiuSho equltdDly D6lWeou THESE SCI
'. eral interests. | do not think it ha
!. ever been accomplished to the sati
- faction even of those charged with tn
= responsibility. and certainly never I
. the satisfaction of any person VIII
= pays taxes do not know of an
u class or interest that does not thin
9 itself overtaXed.
L. Have Tried to Equalize 1t.
l. l do not so much as claim that sue
a. property as the statute provides sha
n be assessed by the executive. counc
4 has been valued high enough, and
is may have been valued too high. 1 O
e ly know that four men elected by I'll
IS voters of the state have tried to equa
ID ize taxation, and know that one
e. them has done his best, and of the s
u others who have at different tim,
n served with him, l have such con
n dence in each that would willing
"a trust him to arbitrate between me al
" railroads or any other interest. TIL
i