The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1903-10-02
AN ADDRESS TO VOTERS
OF KENTUCKY
Issued by State Committee
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

In the city Of Louisville on the I'd, Sd
and 4th days Of June. 1903, the under
signed were appointed a committee for
the purpose OF bringing the amend
ment 10 the constitution of the state
which is to be voted upon at the No
Vember election this year, TO the at
tention CT voters Of all parties in the
state and obtain for II the necessary
number OF votes 10 secure its adoption.
The amendment is purely a non-par-
tissn measure. vitality affecting the in
terests OF all citizens Of the state. no
matter what their party affiliations or
occupations may be. or where their
places OF residence are situated.
The beneficial effects which will fol
low the adoption of the amendment
are so vast that they can hardly be
estimated The evil that will result.
If by any chance the amendment
should fail Of adoption. will be disas
trous in the extreme to the best in
terests Of the state
The adoption OF the amendment will
not change in the least the present sys-
TEN of taxation in Kentucky for state
and county purposes, as it applies only
to taxes levied by cities and towns for
their own local purposes.
The manufacturers. merchants and
financial institutions in the cities and
towns Of our state are now tremen-
dously handicapped in competing with
those in other states by the provision
1 e our state constitution which re-
4 Quires the same ad valorem taxes to
be levied on all personal property
by cities and towns. for their local
purposes. as is levied by them on real
estate within their boundaries.
This provision does not exist in 9TH
e. states in which the competitors OF
oar manufacturers, merchants and
financial institutions are located, so
that our people in these lines Of busi-
ness are at a great disadvantage in
competing With those of other states.
and the result is that our existing in
dustries do not grow as they should.
new industries are not established in
our state IN as large number and i'm
: 1000 0tfIvi alarSs WHICH &c
not possess anything like our natural
advantages, but in which taxation is
not nearly so burdensome and onerous
as in Kentucky
The provision OF our constitution
which the amendment. after its adop-
ton. will cure. also operates to drive
capital from our midst, and compeIs
that which remains with us to charge
us higher interest rates when we Dor
row money than we would have to
pay II money used in banking and
financial operations was not taxed so
exorbitantly for municipal purposes
Farmers and country merchants OF
Kentucky, don't make the mistake Of
thinking the adoption Of this amend
ment II the constitution viii not bene
fcially affect you.
II you want existing factories in our
towns and cities TO grow. so as to give
, employment TO more men; if you want
new industries to be established, en-
ploying still more men; if you want
, more consumers for your farm pro
ducts and more buyers at your cOun-
t tiers; if you want lower interest rates
when you borrow money; if you want
% lessen your state and county taxes;
In a word. If you want as much pros
t perity throughout the length and
, breadth of our grand old common
e wealth as prevails in other states, then
vote for the amendment. and get your
neighbors to vote for it,
e Every existing factory enlarged, and
4 every new factory brought into Ken
lucky through this amendment to our
, constitution. means
r Lower State and County Taxes,
for all the property thus brought in
will go to swell the assessments for
e state and county purposes, which will
0 enable the rate to be reduced.
Let the amendment be adopted by
an overwhelming vote in its favor
; STATE COMMITTEE coNSTITu-
e TIoNAL AMENDMENT
S S. SAVAGE. Chairman. Ashland.
GEO c. THOMPSON. Padueah.
W. C. MONIES. Louisville.
s.N LEONARD. Eddyyille.
; JOS l. LANpEs. HopkinsViie.
e WILBUR + BRowDER Russelvins.
Il wM A. ROBINSON. Louisville.
J. III. KNOTT. Lebanon.
ALvAH L. TERRY. Louisville.
Rich. p ERNST. Coyington.
e HENRY T. DUNCAN. Lexingtoa.
5 c. L. SEARcY. Waco.