Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1902-10-31
MR.. CRADDOCK TO THE VOTERS.
Topeka, KAs., Oct. aS, 100

TO THE PEOPLE OF KANSAS:
| As the campaign is drawing to close,
take this means of addressing few words to
you before you shall have deposited your bal
lots and recorded your will in regard to the
issues involved in this campaign.
I have endeavored to conduct an honorable
and gentemanly campaign. hope and be-
lieve it has met your approval. have endcav'
ored to treat my political opponents fairly and
honestly, and have avoided all that which sa-
vored of SANDER or personal abuse. l have
endeavored to present, in plain, business-like
way, the issues involved in this campaign, and
to show their effect on the people of this state,
if approved and adopted by them. This text
has been rigidly adhered to-
1t is perhaps unnecessary for me to call at
tention to the methods which have been adopt
| ed by the corporations and political bosses in
their efforts to accomplish my defeat. SANDER,
Misrepresentation and personal abuse have been
and is being, aud no doubt will continue to be,
iesorted to in an attempt to discredit me before
the people. Believing that such attacks we1e
but political scheme to divert me and the at
tCutlOu VI tuC pSOPiS iAOAA shS AS"A AS'"~o "a
the campaign, have paid no attention to them,
feeling that my life and record constitute reut-
alton of all such charges and entire vindication
OF my character.
The real purpose of all this personal abuse,
which is to accomplish my defeat by fair means
or foul, should not be lot sight of. And why
resort to such extremes? Because tine corpora
tions and their tools know, from my record,
that they cannot handle, biibe or control me;
because stand for the whole people, and not
solely for them, and because they know will
keep my pledge when elected.
Briefly stated, the main issue involved in
this election is: Shall the property of the cor
porations be assessed and taxed at the same
rate and The same ratio as is the property of
the farmers, the laborers and the home owners?
All those who believe with us that this
should be done are urged to vote the fusion
state ticket Those who are satisfied with the
present system OF taxation, wherein the prop
erty of the corporations is assessed at less than
| ten per cent of its value, while all other prop
erty is assessed at from thirty to fifty per cent
of its actual value, are expected to vote for the
Republican state candidates, who defend the
present unequal and unjust system of taxing
railroad and other corporate property, and who
declare they will not change it if elected. We
want Kansas people to derive the same benefits
from its corporations as are enjoyed in New
York, Indiana and Missouri In doing this, it
will make difference Of about $40 each year
for each voter in the state, or about ~, 900, 900
per year; or, where you now pay $4oo taxes,
you will then pay $50 taxes or, where you
new pay $40 taxes, you will then pay IS taxes.
Do you ask how this can be accomplished?
answer: Enforce the law, honestly and equit-
ably. Apply to the corporations and individ-
uals alike the same system and the same rate of
assessment and taxation. This would increase
the taxes of the corporations i'll Kansas about
S., 900 900 annually, and would reduce the
taxes of the individual tax payer correspond
ihglv.
| Do you ask why this has not been done be-
| fore? In answer, charge the bosses with
never having enforced any law affecting corpo-
rations or any ether law, when political advan-
taee or financial gain could be made by their
| nor. enforcement. AS additional examples Of
this charge, cite tine following laws, not one
of which has been enforced;
The Farrelly antitrust law.
The state gambling law.
The prohibllory law.
The Bush corporation law.
The railroad law.
The laws protecting shippers of grain and
li1ne ctnol,