The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1902-06-06
GOV. eLlss's POSITION
Favors Primary Election Law and
Equitable Taxation.

Governor Bliss favors primary cleo
ton law. He told the members of the
Michigan Club so in Detr, l., Saturday.
He also pointed to his record during his
present term to show that the position
was no new one for him. AS he pointed
out, he signed four bills passed by the
last legislature having the Inauguration
of such system as their object and he
only awaits opportunity to sign gen
eral primary election law, providing
that it shall be what the people want
When he speaks of taxation he does
not mince matters. Equal taxation
would be an impossibility. No one
wants it anyway. That the rich man
should pay no more than the poor man
might be equal taxation, but it would
not be just or equitable. Gov. Bliss
stands squarely for taxation laws which
will compel corporations and individu-
ais to pay their just and equitable share
of the taxes of the state and which will,
on the other hand, do away with the
injustice of double taxation. The
principles of the Ward-Lowrey bill meet
with his approval in spite of the fact
that the bill, as it passed the last legis-
lature, contained 80 many defects that
he could not approve it until they were
corrected.
AS to the matter Of the Michigan Gen.
trail claim for compensation for the re-
peal of its special charter, the governor
very properly holds that as it is ques-
ton which is even now before the courts,
it is not properly an issue in the cam
paign. On the two foregoing issues,
however, he speaks as follows:
Four times during the last session of
the legislature l affixed my signature to
primary election measures, in each case
promptly and gladly 1t may be best to
first try the most approved ideas in pri-
mary election reform in cities and then
extend the system as wisdom and expert
ence point the way but on this point as
well as on all others of party action am
willing to trust and prefer the platform
declarations of the Republican party in
convention assembled.
The question of Standardization, as con-
tanned in the taxation of certain mort
cages, is one of vast interest In the ex-
ecutive communication sent to the legis-
lature vetoing the proposed law it was
pointed out that the proposed law, in the
opinion of the state tax commission,
would result in dropping from the tax
rolls anywhere from $40, 900, 900 to $780,
600, 900, approximately one-twentieth of
the total taxable property of the state,
making the owners of other property pay
about 5 per cent more than they do now,
a result of serious concern, especially to
the small property owners. In conclu-
sion said that did not see a sufficient
reason to take the responsibility of plung-
ing the state into such complications and
for the great mass of peo-
pie required that / should. withhold my
signature, referring to future session
OF the legislature more mature consid
Grafton of the question involved l
stand by that assertion now. l am ready
to approve any bill which will accom-
plish the much-desired object of reliev-
ing the mortgaged home from double |
taxation, but maintain now as l main |
tanned when vetoed the bill passed at |
the last session of the legislature, that at |
the same time it must be insured the |
great corporate interests of this state |
shall bear that portion of the burden of |
taxation which justice and equity de- |
mand