The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1901-07-12
TEMPORARY Chairman salem
Makes an Able Address to the Democratic State
Convention, Discussing q Number Of the
lssues--Tom Johnson's Representa-
tive Talks In q Democratic Vein.

fidence in the fidelity of the nation
to its pledges--not its money pledges
alone, but also pledges to abstain from
conquest; not only promises to Euro
pean bondholders, but also its promises
to Cuban patriots. The Democratic
party would have this nation give to
the world an example of self-govern-
ment, of equality Of all men before the
law, Of equal opportunity for all men
in the race of. life, Of orderly freedom =
such an example of Democracy as would
make the American nation a world
power of transcendent influence. No
nation should seek its trade. It's word
to the humblest should be as good as
Its bond to the greatest Under every
government upon the globe, the Demo-
cratic masses should watch our glorious
example, should study our inspiring
history, should consider our unsullied
reputation as a great and faithful Dem
ocratic republic. Our splendid reali-
ties should be their noble ideals.
And pointing to our flag as the beau
tiful symbol Of it all, they should ex-
claim-as at times in the past, liberty
loving men Of other lands have ex-
claimed-"By this sign we conQuer!"
With such a foreign policy, this
foreign policy of the Democracy, the
United States would grow in true Re-
publican strength and true Democratic
equality. And as II grew, it would
make that conquest with which no
grasping of territory can compare;
that conquest which military conquer
ors have never known and sanguinary
swords can never achieve-the con-
quest Of confidence and affection of the
masses of mankind.
STATE QUESTIONS.
Without detracting from those great
questions, there are in this campaign
In Ohio questions of such Importance
to the people Of the state that they
overwhelm all other issues, and fore
most Of all is the adoption of an equita-
BILE system of assessing and collecting
tax burdens. II we can win for the
people Of Ohio at this election relief
from the inequalities of steam railroad
taxation alone, 1t will be a lasting bless
ing. The steam railroads are paying
less than fifth Of their just share
of taxation by comparison with the
owners of farms and other small prop
critics. Every county in the state loses
greatly by this scheme Of Injustice,
and through 1t every citizen in every
county of Ohio is paying more than his
just share of taxes.
Much Of the inequality could be cor
rected by the fidelity of the county au-
ditors. It has developed largely from
the favors distributed by railroads to
to state and county officials. Not only
this convention, but every county IN
the state should rise in arms against
this iniQuity and install as auditors
men who will respect thtir oath of office
and stand for truth and justice in the
assessments of railroad property.
The whole taxation scheme is foul
with inequalities. 1t vitiates public
trusts and completely defeats the ends
of justice. Can we DO the people Of
Ohio any greater service than to cor
rect these inequalities? Can we do
more for party than to earn the graft
tude of the people for destroying such
abuses?
| AFTER RAILROADS.
Five hundred million dollars of steam
railroad property in Ohio today escapes
taxation. It is not on the duplicate.
The home, the farm, the little Industry,
hopelessly struggling against the priv
! ileged trust are there, listed frequently
above their salable value. You who
own them have no favors to OFFER
You have not learnt the art of bribery.
Your protest is unheeded. You must
pay the tribute to injustice or lose
your home. You must simply endure
/ The Republican convention, while
trying to conduct this campaign on ma
tional issues and avoid all state ques-
tions, still was forced to make vague
reference to this issue. II the Repub-
leans are successful the people may
expect legislation as vague and unsat-
isfactory as their platform. Let our
declaration be so clear that the people
may realize it's meaning.
/ Let us not, as many other Democrat
ic conventions have done, merely
meet and parcel among individuals a
! few nominations. Let us by decisive
actions start the movement that will
ultimately lift the worst burdens from
the poor, that will establish n reign
of justice in our civilization, that will
among the masses substitute content
ment for despair, and love for hatred