The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1902-10-03
REPUBLICAN ORPHAN tax LAW.

Inc opposition IN the STATE IS some
what astonished and moved to smiles
over the reputation of the republican
tax law made by Chairman AIbaugh in
response to the challenge made by Sec
rotary Curren to a joint debate with
Major A. NJ Harvey. Mr.. Curran has
been trying to arrange the debate for
some time, but Senator Smith dallied
for some time with the proposition
and finally informed Major Harvey
that he could not arrange matters so
that he could enter the debate. Think
ing that perhaps some other reTub-
lican might be induced to discuss the
tax law which had cost so much money
and time to the state, Mr.. Curren IS
sued a free for all challenge and had it
published The answer sent by Mr..
Albaugh to Mr. Curren came in the
form of interviews with him published
in the Topeka Herald and Capital and
in effect were as follows: First, that
the tax bill was not an issue in this
campaign; that it must not be an issue
until it was passed by a republican
legislature. Second, that he was not
disposed to allow two attorneys for the
American Book company to get into
the public eye in any such debate; and
third, that he did not propose to furn-
ish audiences for popuIist campaign
ers. Referring to AIbaugh's reply Mr..
Curren said:
His first proposition is perhaps the
most astonishing. Every republican
campaigner in the state has rushed to
the shelter of this tax bill when pur-
sued by Mr.. Craddock and his sup
pOrters. why" said they, should
the democrats and popuIists attempt
to cure these tax evils when we have a
tax bill which covers the ground nee
essary?" Mr.. Bailey has used this ar
gument and held up this tax law as the
''cure-all' for every evil complained Of
by opposition campaigners. Mr.. Al
baugh in his state campaign booklet
presents this law in several places as
the republican plan Of taxation. The
naked truth of the matter is that the
republican tax law is so full Of infamy
and glaring faults and injustice to the
people, while favoring the corporations
that Mr.. AIbaugh has declared they
cannot defend it and have turned the
child out into the cold, defenseless
and fatherIess.
His second proposition is also very
surprising. Its hard to understand
how Mr.. AIbaugh can bring the quest
ion of employment by the American
Book company in to disqualify Sen
atOr Smith for a debate on the subject
of taxation. There is little question
but that the work of Senator Smith
for the American Book company has
been open and above board, and why
Mr.. AIbaugh should have slapped the
Senator in the face in this manner, is
hard to discern. However, there are
a few republicans still left in the state
who are not employed, like Senator
Smith, to defend the American Book
company, who might have defended
this bill. And as this seems to be a re-
quirement by Mr.. Albaugh, I will en-
deavOr, later in the campaign, to furn-
ish him with a list of a great many re-
pUbIicans beside Senator Smith who,
instead Of working in a professional
capacity as they had right to do,
have used their social, political and
official influences to assist the Ameri-
can Book company in its work in Kan
sas. 1 have no doubt when this is
done, that Mr.. Albaugh will find it
necessary to have some new officers
elected for this committee and get a
new-set Of spell binders.
"His third proposition merely ex-
presses the unity Of sentiment between
the state committees on this point. 1t
is certainly dangerous to the success Of
the republican party for the repub-
hcans to hear the pOpuIists and demo
Gratis discuss the issues of taxation
this year and Mr.. Albaugh is wise in
refusing to lend his aid in gathering
audiences to hear this debate 1t is to
be hoped, however, that republicans
viii attend discussions of the tax
question in spite of the edict of Mr.
Albaugh to the contrary"