The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1903-10-02

. lure him into thu trap to cast his ballot
against his own interests. They nave
couched it in Gne feathers and sent IL
forth to the people of Kentucky as 'he
one thing that will prevent the stare
from beng violently hurled 10 the DEM
milton bow vows; Shen the fact Is the!
are trying to convince the voters VINO
pay personal property tax OUTSIDE VI
the cities, and all who pay taxes Oh reA'
property, that they can become rich "
red ucing taxes on the personal proPer'
Of the money lenders, brokers. etc. who
reside IN the cities. A little tnough'
will convince the most obtnse that TINS
position is an untenable one. Although
efforts have been made by peoples 20
tax themselves rich, none have ever YET
succeeded.
The state requires a certain amount
of money for administration purposes
which is raised by levying taxes on ooth
real and personal property. If that TAX
alton Is removed or partly removed
from one. il must Of necessity increase
it proportionately on the other III the
amendment carries, taxation on person
al property in cities will be reduced
\ and in proportion as II Is reduced so
must It be increased on the remaining
taxable property throughout the state
| The man who deals in money and neRo-
table paper in the city will thus SHIFT
the burden of taxation from himself TO
the shoulders of the farmer, the mer-
chant the artisan, and his less fortunate
brother. the banker of the town and
village.
That part Of the address which says
that new industries are not established |
in our state in as large number as IN |
other states" is the yeriest clap trap /
and was inserted for no other reason |
than TO fool the voter. In the four years
preceding 1899. new capital to the ex-
tent of SD, 526, $40 was invested in new
industries in this state. while during
the four years since that time new cap
ital to the amount Of 1902. i95 has
been invested, an increase OF S69, 900,
600 In the four years, or about seven
and a quarter millions year-an
amount proportionately equal to that of
any other state in the union. Does this
show that our industries are not grow
ing, that capital is afraid 10 invest, or
that We are so far behind other states:
The proposed amendment contains
whatever TO recommend it to
the great army of common people. IL
is. in fee simple, but an effort OF the
Shylocks and bond clippers TO escape
taxation on their wealth, and should be
turned down, as it probably will.
The ad valorem system. az 1T exists
today, is an exceptionally just and sim
pie one. Under 1t the money lender
and the farmer each bears his just bur
den of taxation. There is no call TO
change it from any but the monied men
OF the cities wh@ 0anld force the coun-
try folks 20 bear that which should be
willingly bsrne by themselves. Their
trick will fail. The voters have begun
to investigate the proposed amendment
and as soon as they look into il
they readily see the evils that would
follow It's adoption, and proclaim them.
selves as unalterably opposed to it,
The Courier trusts and believes that
the country press of the state will take
this matter up in the interest OF its
great common peo-
Pile The measure can be easily de-
feated by concerted action ON the part
Of the country editors of the state Each
and every one OF Us should use such
influence and bend such energies as we
may possess for the defeat of measure.
" hich, if enacted into law, is certain
to result disastrously to those who, in a
way, look to the local paper TO guard
their interests. 1t is duty we owe our
readers 10 point out the pitfalls of such
schemes as that hidden in this proposed
amendment, and should
we fail in the performance OF this duty.
our vocation becomes sinecure, aud
our usefulness ends.
Preach against it. Vote against it,
See that your neighbor votes against it.
Don't be satisfied with not voting; but !
90 to the polls on election day and cast ..
your vote against the proposed constitu- i
tional amendment. If you do not, IL '
may carry. and it will be too late to be !
sorry then. The law, as it stands, is all
right. Let it standby voting against
the amendment proposition.
Curt Jet. under sentence 10 he q