Mexico weekly ledger., 1902-04-10
MADE bad RECORDS.
sECRETRY COOK SHOWS THAT
THE TAXPAYERS BORE ALL
BURDENS FOR YEARS.
CORPORATIONS ARE NOT TAXED.
Under Democratic Rule State De-
partment Annually Earn More
Than Half a Million Dol
lars in Fees
CORPORATIONS ARE NOT. TAXED.

JEFFERSON Cry, April 2. - The
following chapter from Secretary Of
State Cooks forthcoming political
handbook strikingly illustrates the
difference between the "soft snap"
conditions which prevailed during the
six years the Republicans ruled in
Missouri and the businesslike methods
which prevailed under Democratic
management.
"Here is a brief chapter from the
Official records Of Missouri which gives
striking contrast between the busi-
nesslike methods which prevail un-
der Democratic rule and the soft-snap
reign which existed during the six
years the Republicans filed the Off
ces in Missouri.
Attention has been called TO the
fact that during the entire six years
the Republicans had control OF Mis-
souri, they did not impose one dollar of
taxes on the railroads. The injustice
Of this policy was all the more flagrant
because taxes then were enormously
high and the burden which individual
property had to bear was made doubly
excessive by the rank favoritism shown
corporate interests.
REPUBLICAN FAvoRlTIsM.
''This favoritism was not limited
to the railroads alone. Other great
corporate interests were permitted to
escape any part Of the burdens Of taxa
tion.
"Not one dollar reached the State
Treasury from the various State de-
partments during the six years the
Republicans held control. In those
days the fees Of the Secretary Of State
IN addition to his salary, all went into
the pockets Of Count Rodman. The
Office earned $40, 900 annually, but the
Stase got no part OF IT,
"The same is true Of the Treasury
Department. The States moneys
were then used as the personal per-
qulslties Of the State Treasurer.
"The records tell the same story of
the Insurance Department The
most searching investigation of the
records fails TO show single dollar
reaching the Treasury from any de-
partment during the entire period Of
Republican control.
"What are the conditions to-day?
PRESENT CONDITIONS.
''Not only are the railroads required
to pay taxes on an assessment Of over
$50, ,OO0, 900, but other great corporate
interests are made to bear a fair pro-
portion Of the States burdens.
"The Insurance Department now
collects from insurance companies in
fees and taxes annually s335,OOO.
"Under Republican rule not one dol
lar was paid into the State Treasury
by the these great money-making cor
-porations.
"In addition to these large sums, a
Democratic Attorney General COM
PEELED the insurance companies, which
violated the antitrust law, to pay into
the State Treasury in fines in single
year over $4,000.
"Has any Missourian ever heard OF
any Republican Attorney General inn
posing a penalty on these corporations,
however openly or dehantly they may
have violated the laws Of the State?
INTERESTS ON DEPOSITS.
"The interest on the State deposits
amounted to over $4,000 last year and
every dollar went to the credit of the
people.
,sThe most vigilant and persistent
expert accountant that could be Sc
cured within the ramifications Of Wal
street failed 70 trace single dollar Of
interest on deposits to the State
treasury during the six years the Re
publicans handled the public funds.
1.-THE earnings Of the Secretary OF
State last year amounted to sl67, ,6SS,O'
and every dollar was paid into the
State Treasury.
"If the Republican Secretary o.
State Count Rodman, ever let go
dollar of fees, the records at the Stat
Capitol fail to disclose the rash act.
practically all of this large sun
came from corporations which almos
wholly escaped taxation during TN
six years OF Republican rule, when in
dlvidual property bore the burdens o.
a most profligate State government,
The earnings Of the insurance, treas
ury and State departments In fees
ESPECIAL taxes and commissions undel
Democratic methods amounted q
more than half a million dollars an
nually. -,
FEES NOW RECEIVED.
"Missouri to-day receives each yea
in fees and taxes oncorporations whicl
wholly escaped taxation under Repuh
|