Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1902-06-16
MAYOR JOHNSON.
Continued from first page.)

Continued from first page.)
ing taxation in excess or $4,000,0OO
year, yet they did nothing to force the
railroad companies to assume their OBJ
legations In this respect. Summit coun-
ty is annually being deprived Of $780,
600, In just taxation by this discrim-
ination in favor of the interests of
the railway companies. Cuyahoga
county loses more than 100000 a year
because the railroads do not pay their
fair share of the taxes. BY a corrupt
bargain made in Cincinnati, the rail-
roads agreed with the state admins
tration to pay 100000 more in taxes
every year, IL they would not be made
to pay $4000,000. Now the railroads
owe this measure of taxation to the
state by the same rule by which you
are required to pay taxes on your prop
erty. The street railway companies
avoid paying their just share of taxes
by $3,O000OO, thus making u grand to-
tai Of $7,O00,O00, which is annually d.
verted from the Ohio treausry by the
discrimination Of Republican legisla-
tion. If these corporations were re-
quired to pay what they justly owe,
1t would not be necessary to make the
people at large pay a cent of taxes.
The stock of these railway companies
are held largely outside of Ohio.
Now, do not believe in discrimi,
mating against .he people at home and
permitting others to escape.
This Legislature, however, did not
forget the small corporations and the
small businesses. 1t passed a law
which requires the saw-mills and the
mercantile companies, and your man.
ufacturing institutions,-a those that
are at competition one with another
to pay tax of one-tenth of one per
cent. on all outstanding capital stock,
regardless of its value This brings
about $1,000.OOO into the State treas
ury. 1t was the policy Of the Legisla-
ture to permit the monopolies and the
privileged interests to escape their
share OF taxation, at the expense Of
competitive institutions. My friends,
l tell you that Notwithstanding the
legislative discrimination against these
businesses, in favor of those which have
special privileges and monopolies; not
withstanding that these favored cor
porations support the Republican cam
paign fund, we are going to make them
bear their just share of taxation"
Prolonged applause greeted this dec
laration.
In the approaching campaign we
must so educate the people that they
will hold responsible the party which
stands sponsor for these unjust con-
ditions, that next year, when the time
comes to take up the matter of new
Legislation, the people will be prepared
to elect Legislature that will protect
their interests. Invite the people to
the consideration of these issues, and
they will be settled right. Truth loses
some battles, but never yet has it lost a
war Nominate candidates who are de-
right, and whose hearts are in the
right place. 1t does not matter so
much who fill the offices; it does matter
according to what principles the offices
are administered. In the matter of
taxation you touch the question that
deals with the bread and butter of the
people. Abolish the privileges by which
some men enjoy the fruits of the earth,
while others merely labor for them.
The greatest abuse of privilege is that
by which your representatives make
you pay the taxes Of the interests that
thrive upon special benefits conferred
by your legislature
Mayor johnson referred to the fact
that he had been charged with favoring
the candidacy of Cincinnati man for
Secretary of State. He said that he
would not deny the imputation, which
referred to Rev. Herbert Bigelow, "a
Wendell Phillips Of oratory and de-
votion to principle"
| In conclusion the Mayor said: Il
hope 1t will be my good fortune to
be with you later. They do say that
we have circus in Cleveland, and II
perchance that wandering circus tent
should come into this neighborhood,
invite you all to attend. / also invite
all Republicans interested to come in
before our audiences, and defend their
side. We have no cause when we can.
not invite Republicans to advocate
their issues side by side with us. Hav,
ing confidence in the justice of our
cause, l am willing to go upon any
platform in debate in defense of the
principles we advocate. We have the
politics that gets to the top; the relig-
ion that touches the heart; the truth
that wins battles"