The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-09-01
STATE REVENUES

vital issue. since the only way that
the government can secure revenue is
through taxation. And every useful
citizen is taxpayer.
At the close of the fiscal year ending
November 80, 1896, the state debt
amounted, including state bonds and
the state general fund warrants, to the
sum of $685., 54O.72. After four years
of populist administration the bonded
debt was entirely wiped out. This
represented the sum of $449 ,267.35. In
addition to this sum there were paid
on state warrants the sum OF $685.
825.28, making total reduction OF
state Indebtedness of $65S, O9z.63. so
much for the four years OF "popuilsm.
During the first two years OF repuD-
lican redemption" the state fund
warrants were increased in larger
sum than that paid off during the pre-
ceding four years; to=wit, in the sum
of $261, 88O.91. The last biennial re-
port is omitted. because the fiscal year
is not yet complete. 1t is safely estl-
mated that the present state indebted
ness is beyond the two million marx.
Now how is this debt to be paid and
by whom? Shall it be equitably APP
portioned among the people, or shall
special interests again control the
election and dominate the administra-
ton of state government? That is
the issue and no other can befog it.
With state debt aggregating more
than two millions Of dollars, and, as
has been repeatedly shown In these
columns, with an increasing extrava-
CANT expenditure of more than hall
million dollars annually. in excess OF
the most conservative estimates FOR
the cost of maintaining state govern
ment. what hope may the people OF
this state have for relief from excess
sive taxation? With the railroads OF
the state maintaining Hobbies in the
legislature and owning the state board
Of equalization, while the farmers and
manufacturers are unrepresented, and
tie great body of the people forgotten,
what hope is there for more equit-
able distribution of the burdens OF
taxation.
to the railroads and other special In
terests OF Nebraska any justice that
may be their due AS legitimate bust
ness enterprises that are essential to
the welfare of every community they
are entitled to full consideration. But
their interests are not more sacred
than those of the people. They are
entitled to their due and no more But
when the people of this state are taxed
upon one fifth of the full market value
of their property, while the railroads
escape with tax upon one thirteenth
of the market value of their property,
it is prima facie evidence that there
is undue discrimination in favor OF the
railroads. 1t is equivalent to a trans
fer of CASH from the pockets of those
who pay more than their share of
taxation to the pockets of the railroads
who pay that much less. 1t is de-
liberate robbery Of the many for the
benefit Of those few. Do the taxpayers,
the people, of this state desire longer
to continue not only this extrava-
gance, but this inequality of the bur-
dens of taxation for another term?
If they do not so desire there is but
one way to avert it. That escape lies
only in the triumphant election of
the state ticket nominated at Lincoln,
August 10. last, by the state conven-
tion of the peoples Independent party,
and legislative ticket in every county
If the state p,cdged to curtail appro-
piiations and ADOPT more equitable
revenue Lii.
IL. QUINBY.