The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1902-04-09
REPLY TO A BANKER ON STATE

POLITICS.
An Oregon banker writes The Jour
nal a letter that has 80 many good
points that, although he tells us II is
not for publication, we print some OF
his sentiments, just TO show how a
good business man may look at pol
tiles. We print his letter and some
comments In reply for readers OF The
Journal 10 consider
II have received several copies OF
the Journal calling attention TO the
exhorbltant amounts received by our
state officials from the treasury. While
your action Is commendable, am con.
vlnced that II will be entirely fruitless,
and my reasons are partly as follows:
"The party in power (no matter un-
der what name) are perfectly satisfied
with the situation, because they are
getting all the proceeds. The party
out OF power are not satisfied. but
they expect 10 be well pleased with II
when they get In power. as they al
ways hope 20 be soon. The public is
patient ass and pays taxes as long
as they have the money 20 do 80 with
sort OF mild wonder that their tax
should be so high, but with about as
much idea that they can do anything
about IL as horse has that he can
avoid being saddled and bridled. The
Official class have the people pretty
well sized up as to the amount they
can pay without breaking down under
tho burden, and know that as long as
they do not go beyond this limit the
people care very little what Is being
done with the money. knowing that II
II does not go into one form OF graft
II will into another They also know
well that tho people OF any locality
can be placated by turning little
stream from the public treasury In
their direction. as every section has
some need, worthy or otherwise that
they wish TO get state help for. aud
they feel highly elated when they get
A., even II 10 get one dollar for them.
selves they help some other part OF
tho state 10 get ten dollars. Property
has not suflicient representation In our
form OF government This leads Co
tho great question OF universal suf,
frage. but as long as the majority OF
voters pay little or no taxes, the poll
ticians will have free hand, and
property must hide. lie. and onset one
politician against another
In flush times, as at present with
most people, taxes are easily paid, and
full treasury is merely good mark
for officials 20 shoot at This makes
easy vast appropriations OF the peo-
pies money"
In replying 10 this banker The Jour.
nal said In part
Pressure OF other duties have de
layed answering your letter until the
present and | enclose an article that
has been copied from our paper into
the Democratic News at Boise. | will
say as 20 my efforts 60 put our state
ofllClals ON a fiat salary. ] have done
that as a matter OF principle and OF
practical politics. | believe in politics
and in ightlng for actual results in the
way OF better government with any
weapon that comes 90 hand. We have
got the plank In the Republican state
platform. into nearly every county
platform into the Socialist state plat
form, aud Il will be made prominent
Ia the Democratic state platform. Then
the nght has got 90 be made Ia the
state legislature and courts.
What you say about the Onielal
class knowing how far they can 30 Ia
hurdenlng the people. and knowing
how % placato thom By turning a lit'
tie appropriation In their direction Is
only too true but there Is a limit
even 20 the gulhbilty OF the people ia
tho way OF throwing them apprOprla.
tlons. A certain amount OF normal
schools and higher education IA ait
right. but Il must be absolutely lim-
tied By the average that people OF
other states spend ON those matters. In
proportion 70 their wealth and popu.
latiOn. Oregon Is tOpheavy with p0li,
uclans and llght.Waisted la conserya,
tive influences Hence We are paying
about seven mills state tax. when 9TH
er states get on with tWo or three
mills. and o0ms none AZ an.