The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-07
TOM JOHNSON SPEAKS
WITH PARSON BIGELOW, HE OPENS
DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGN.
Charges Senators Foraker and Hanna
with Using Their Power to Help
Their Private Pockets.

LORAIN, O.. Sept. 6-The Democratic
tonight. A tent. with a seating capacity
of $500 people, was crowded. drenching
rain began to fall during the speech of
Rev. Herbert Bigelow, candidate for Sec
rotary of state, and continued during the
rest of the meeting. The principal address
was that of Mayor Tom l.. Johnson, of
Cleveland He prefaced his formal remarks
by an invitation to any Republican to come
and debate the issues of the campaign.
No one responded. Mayor Johnson then
began his speech, in which he referred en-
tirely to State issues. saying in part:
I'VE in this campaign are trying to advo-
cate principles that are backed by the
truth. The last State Legislature con-
trolled and guided largely under the infiu-
ence of two United States senator's, did
uonal amendment, one of the best things
done in thirty years. i commend that por-
ton of the work. 1t is not our purpose TO
fight principles merely because they are
republican. SO long as L live / will never
fight principle believe is right, no mat
ter what party is responsible for it.
But the Legislature, deliberately and with
the knowledge that the steam railroads
were not paying, by si,0O0,o00 a year. in
taxes. as much as farmers and home
owners, deliberately increased them but
SfvVVoV year INSTEAD OF Sf,VJ,vU Inc last
Legislature exempted stockholders of rail-
roads from taxation and placed the burden
upon the property of those engaged In COM
petitive business in the State OF Ohio Is
that a fair scheme of taxation? The facts
have been stated. No one has denied them,
and when an attempt is made to make
them pay a just sum, the Supreme Court
said the law was not sufficient to make
them pay.
THE Republican leaders have carried out
corrupt bargain TO make the people Of
Ohio pay more than their share of taxes in
order that those owning monopolies living
outside the State should pay less. That is
what We condemn in the State Legislature.
L am not prejudiced against the man out
side the State; simply want justice.
I'VE condemn the State Legislature for
its effort 10 prevent the taxation OF street.
natl at a fair rate. II they grant
perpetual franchises for interests repre-
scented by the two United States senator's
from Ohio, in their position as your senator
and mine, representing US In Washington,
standing as the leaders OF their party. they
are using their power to help their priyate
pockets and they should be condemned .
When Mayor Johnson had finished his
speech he invited questions from his hear
ers. He was asked TO a remedy for
trusts. Replying, the mayor said that the
campaign of fairer taxation inaugurated in
| Ohio would, he thought, remove a great
many of the objections now held against
trusts. He said that the immense holdings
of the United States Steel Corporation ala
| not necessarily make IL an objectionable
| the people in the matter OF taxing its inn
| mensely valuable ore and other mining
properties. These. the mayor declared were
| taxed at but small percentage of their
| value. while the holdings OF the farmers
| and property owners are taxed at approx
| ma full value.