The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-10-07
LOST" PLATFORM.


1t is to be regretted that the
Democratic convention held at
Mackay on Sept. Both, "lost" its
platform, but there is times when
it is policy to ''lose' platform.
So the fundamental principles
and declarations of the party was
lost" in the scramble for office
at Mackay, and several days aft
er said convention another plat
form was formulated at Challis
from notes" taken, so the
people in general will be depriv-
ed of the opportunity of reading
the original platform adopted in
convention Assem- bled at Mack
ay, but must be contented with
the amended platform. The
platform taken from notes" and
revised in Challis, appears in
full in this issue, together with
the apologies for the ''lost" or
'mislaid" document.
From parties in attendance at
the Mackay convention, we are
informed that the original plat
form read in one clause, some
thing like this
1--WE favor the taxation of all
patented mines alta reasonable"
rate of taxation. We are also in
favor of a law to tax the net out
put of mines"
But this would not do for it
was too evasive, and would not
have q tendency to draw the tax
payers to the support of the
party, who are firm in the belief
that mine worth a million or
more of dollars should pay more
than $500 taxes this year on
the 5000 per mine plan of equal
ization, as ordered by the Board
OF Equalization. Why, us fellows
pay about half that amount of
taxes for road, poll and hospital
taxes alone. But the following
plank adopted from notes" TAX
en- is put forth to soothe ruff
fed temper of the taxpayers
1--WE pledge our representa-
tives, if elected, to resist any at
tempt at legislation providing for
any change in the present law
providing for the taxation of pat
ented mining claims at their
FULL cash value"
This was added TO catch votes.
1--WE pledge our representatives,
if elected" they say. Why not
pledge the assessor, and com
missioners, if elected, to enforce
the laws upon the Statute books
of Idaho +? That is all the people
ask. Why didn't the present
board of commissioners enforce
the law relative assessments on
the mines +? The platform is
silent on that matter. So the
party has two platforms to stand
upon-the original, adopted in
convention assembled at Mackay
on Sept. 30th, and the formulat-
ed platform from notes, at
Challis, Oct. 5th.
Let no one be deceived in the
matter. Does any person for a
moment think that the present
nominee for State Senator on the
Democratic ticket favors 'tax-
ing mines at FULL cash value?'
His talk and actions are against
it, and this plank will deceive no
one.
The Democratic ticket in this
county has some good nominees
and some very bad ones. The
Citizens ticket would not have
been thought of had the Demo
cratic party made Mr.. Macbeth
stand aside. They had fair
warning. That was all that was
asked, but it appears that he
was greater than the party, and
their county ticket will have to
suffer the consequences. They
would not concede a single thing
for the success of the ticket, as
office was their only aim, and
those who were not for Macbeth
was treated with contempt.
We opposed the mine equaliza,
ton at the time and oppose it at
this time. as being unjust to the
taxpayers, whether the action of
a Democratic or Republican
Boar of Commissioners.
TH battle is on and the people
! will Ass final iudgment Nov. 4