The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1902-10-10
Greeted Mayor Tom
johnson Thursday.
TAXATION WRONGS
Denounced by tho Democratic
Leader and Reforms Pointed
Out--Quostions from the
Audience Answered.

series of tent meetings before an inn
mense Canton audience beneath the
Johnson tent ON the city lot Thurs
day night. Notwithstanding his In
disposition, the Democratic leader was
in fine humor and the immense crowd
was carried away with Johnson en-
thusiasm. Mayor Tom again paid his
respects to the legislators and the au-
ditors, referring directly to Auditor
Reed, and forgot not to score Mark
Hanna for his "stand pat" slogan and
the part he is taking in the franchise
steals.
Mr.. Krichbaum introduced Newton
d. Baker, who was the first speaker.
Mr.. Baker pointed out that the VIC
tories of peace were of greater effect
thcn the victories Of war. He held
that II the billions spent and to he
expended I'M waging bloody war IN
the Philippines would have Deen turn
ed to the erection Of hospitals and
schoolhouses in these islands they
would be united by bonds of brother
ly affection as imperishable as those
built upon carnage are unstable and
visionary. u - -e.sf
= "In times of great public commotion
the patriotic impulses of the people
are alert, but in times of peace there
are changes as important as were
ever occasloned by war" Mr.. Baker
then launched into a discussion of the
taxation question. He. said that Gov.
ernor Foraker, now United States SEN
ator, and Governor Mckinney. during
their administrations had pointed out
force. There have been many solemn
sessions of the legislature since that
time, nc said, but everything has been
66re but to right those systems.
EVOLUTION OF TAXATION y
F When the first constitution, of the
state was adopted the taxation scheme
was based upon one fundamental prin-
eirle, that real and personal property
should be taxed at it's fair, just mar
ket value. At this time the wealth
of the state was vested in its farms
and the herds owned by the farmers.
from that time to this" continued
the speaker, "the laws have not been
greatly changed, but conditions have
been greatly altered We have come
to have property of vast corporations
f.h rn nj nr ot T.
day. The first of these kind is that
which is operated under public fran
chises and the second that which has
an aggregate value. The railroad Is
property Of more value than, the
sum total of its cars, engines, track,
etc. When the constitution OF 1851
was adopted item value was the
sch enc upon which taxation was bas-
ed. Everything was treated as per-
sonal property If the railroads were
placed on the tax duplicate on their
earning value instead or the personal,
the railway officials saw tina, thcy
would DE compelled to pay greatly in
excess Of what is now paid.
Before introducing Mr.. johnson Mr..
Krichbaum paid tribute to the DEM
ocratic leader. "The people of Ohio
are under an everlasting debt OF graf
itude to Tom Johnson This applies
to the Democrat and Republican alike
We want no dishonest men in the
party, Mayor Johnson has set the eX-
ample of whipping such rascals out
of the Democratic party and we chal-
lenge you Republicans to do like
WISE"
Mr.. Krichbaum invited the people
In the audience to ask Mayor Tom
questions and then introduced lhim
amid much cheering.
Mayor Johnson said:
JOENsON'S FORMER VISIT.
Mr.. Chairman, My Friends
"1'his is my second visit to your
beautiful city, my only other visit
being the occasion Of the funeral of
our martyred President, when we
came to join our sorrow with yours.
Tonight We are shere on different
mission. We are here to present some
homely truths to both Democrats and
Republicans. We are here to tell OF
some Democrats who have gone astray
and some Republicans VINO have done
likewise, and / hope you will say
with me that | have not been less
severe on our own recreants than
those of the other side Mr.. Hanna
said so the papers say. that he would
not debate with me because he did not
want to furnish me crowd. Uaugh-
teri I ask this little reporter that
sits at the table there reporting for
the Cleveland Leader to tell them that
down at Canton at least q good many
folks came out to hear US. "a voice
"Ihat's a good one')-Uaughter).
o"rhis little reporter of the Cleve-
land Leader who way. at last nights
snnoffnC ovnr nj Ma, afllon oaw only