Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1904-11-03


are to make statement. Section 81
And if they fail to make the state
ment, as asked by this state board OF
equalization, are they to be guilty OF
a misdemeanor? Their names blasted
and robbed Of their honor? Oh, no. Ii
they. or either OF them, fail to comply
then they shall forfeit by such failure
not less than $1,000 nor more than
$4,000, which may be recovered in a
civil suit.
Thus 1t will be seen they are not
only shielded by having to deal alone
with the civil law. but the forfeiture
is but a mere bagatelle compared with
that which is placed upon the indi-
vidual by way of fine. when you take
into consideration that the individual
might not be worth to exceed S25, and
that he is to be fined not less than
$50; he has no resort to the civil
courts but must appear before the
criminal court to answer as to his neg
lect. He may not be worth more than
| S25, all the property that he has, and
| yet he must forfeit to the state $50
or stand imprisoned until it is paid;
while these corporations. that are
| worth their millions, can defy the
state officers and yet simply forfeit the
sum Of not less than $1,000 nor more
than $1,000, and this amount to be re-
covered in a civil suit; not against the
officer who has failed to do his duty
no smirch even Of a civil suit is to
| touch his name, but the corporation
hat he represents will appear on the
title page of the action. They can go
| down into the merchants business,
J demand his books. his invoice, his in
surance, his accounts, and every min
utiae Of his own private business can
these officers demand, and if he fails
to comply with any of their inslnuat-
ing requests, he is guilty OF INSIDE
meanOr and fined as hereinbefore
stated. Yet. if the officers OF one OF
these corporations fail to respond to
| the process of the said board, or who
refuse to answer any proper question
put to him by said board, he simply
forfeits the sum of $500. to be recov-
cred in a civil action. Section o.
And all of this for what purpose?
Simply to eyade the demand of the
people made two years ago, which was
| but the elimination of a growing
storm raised solely and alone by the
actions Of these corporations, and this
same state board of equalization to
raise the valuation of railroad property
in harmony with other property of the
state that the floating debt and the
necessary expenses of the states opera
ton might be paid, and the onward
march OF our progress not retarded.
And what excuse is given by the gov
| hnn INV foto hn
placing of his signature to such an en-
| actment. Simply that 1.-The people
| wanted it." Yet the people knew moth
| ing about it. 1t had never been sub
mitted to them, either by vote or dis
! cussion. And what excuse, when
| asked if the favors that he had re-
ceived from the railroads might not
have had some influence on his &C
tons in this regard, his answer is, Il
admit that | have received these IA
vors from the railroads; there is no
law preventing me from receiving
these favors from the railroads. IT
the people desire that | should not re-
ceive them, let them enact some law
preventing me. and | will sign it, eff
governor. l will sign it." Certainly
he would not give his approval to an
act that he deemed had no merit and
was not for the best interests of the
state. If for the best interests of state
along moral and economic lines, there
must be a sentiment at least abroad in
the state that these fa"Ors accepted
and held by him as public officer are
not conducive to Independent and I'M
biased action. Thus If the governor
would approve an anti-pass bill. then
he knows that in morals he should not
now receive them as governor Fur
ther, il he knows there are some of
the people Of the state who believe
these favors influence him in the per-
Torrance Of his duties, then he owes
it to himself, as we'll as to his con-
stituents, to refuse all favors. AS he
acts for all. he should strive to have
the confidence Of all. Even those who
do not seriously oppose the receiving
OF these favors, or the use thereof,
will most seriously dissent from his
excuse for receiving them The flimsy
excuse he gives is far worse than the |
act itself. AS we'll say, know it is
not right in morals that I, as governor. |
should receive these favors, but as |
there Is no law prohibiting it. I will |
continue to do so until the people in |
their might demand and obtain a leg
islative enactment prohibiting the re-
ceiving OF favors from those asking
special leniency. IF the people desire
that | should not receive them. let
them enact law preventing mel" This
kind Of logic might fill the governors
cellar with standard OIL 1t might stock
his farm with blOoded stock by those
who desire to ship into the state dis
eased cattle and horses 1t might fill
his larder with the purest of foods by
those who desire to palm off impure
products upon the state 1t might en-
him with all of the beauties.
the grandeurs, and the pleasures of
king.
Our friend, Governor Mickey. might
obtain valuable instruction along these
lines by examining the records of his
home county Of Polk. which show that
In 1902, Polk county paid Nebraska
in taxes. $4,000.
In 1903, Polk county paid Nebraska
in taxes, s13,12O.
In 1904, Polk county will pay the
state Of Nebraska in taxes. s20,47O.