The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1902-01-09
ADDRESS TO VOTERS.
Resolution Adopted By Missouri Demo
Gratis Endorses ALI Admins
trations Of the Party

representing the county organiza-
tions of the Democratic party of this
State, and called together opromote
united and aggressive party action,
renewing their mistaken adherence
to the great principles of Democracy
as enunciated in our latest national
and State platforms, send greeting
to the Democracy of Missouri.
Nearly thirty years ago the Demo-
cratic party came into control of
Missouri, succeeding the Republican
party, which for period of years
held unrestrained possession ofevery
department of our State Govern
ment. That period OF Republican
ascendancy was characterized by
profiigacy, corruption and partisan
intolerance unexampled in the history
OF our country, save-alone in the
shameful carpetDag reign which for
many years hung as a pail over the
Southern States.
This period OF Republican misrule
in Missouri was distinctly period of
exorbitant taxation, both State and
local. The enormous revenues ex-
torted from the people, instead ofbe-
ing wisely used in the building of the
State, were wasted in reckless eXpen-
ditures. Not only were the ordinary
revenues thus wasted, but school
moneys provided for the education of
the children OF the State, and securi-
ties held to indemnify the State
against obligations it had assumed
in developing the resources OF the
Commonwealth, also fell prey to the
corrupting greed and extravaganza
OF those evil days.
This Indictment would not be com
plete if we did not state here the rec
orded fact that during this period OF
high taxation not one dollar was
levied upon the 'public-service cor
porations" Of the State, but the en-.
tire burden was put upon the individ.
ual citizen.
When at last this odious epoch was
terminated by the restoration OF the
Democratic party to power the cred.
it of the State was so debased that
the States securities were hawked
about at ruinous discount, and not
a single monument OF progress could
be found that the moneys OF the peo'
pie had been wisely or honestly ex.
pended. Not only so, but this
wretched period of extravaganza and
misrule was characterized by partisan
bigotry and intolerance without
parallel, when for partisan reasons
and partisan advantage prescriptive
laws were enacted which denied to
citizens the right to follow honorable
vocations and which placed the cleo
ton machinery of the entire State in
the hands of the party in power,
denyina to Democrats any repre-
sentation- at the Tolls. and which
power was used with a brutality that
shocked the conscience of every hon
est man in the State. ------------
In striking contrast to this indie
fensible record of the Republican par,
ty we point with proud satisfaction
to the splendid record of the Missouri
Democracy.
We have lightened the burden OF
taxation until the rate now levied Is
only one-half what it was during Re
publican maladministration, and
now is the lowest tax rate imposed
by any State in the Union.
The enormous bonded debt piled
upon the people as the result OF the
fraudulent disposition by Republican
officials OF securities held by the State,
aggregating in principal and interest
$45, 100000, had been reduced from
year to year until the entire amount,
except the $4,500,000 held in trust
for the school funds, will be fully paid
during the next fiscal year; and this
great achievement has been accom-.
plished not by increasing, but while
constantly decreasing, the burdens o
taxation.
The credit OF the State, which had
been so debased that 6 and Z pei
cent bonds were begging markets at
a discount of 20 per cent, has beer
restored and exalted until to-day
Missouri 81 per cent call bonds will
SELF any market at premium, and
the credit of the State is substantial
ly at par with that of the nationa
Government.