The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-10-27
THE NEW REVENUE~LAW

In discussing the present revenue
law we should not forget to inquire
how and for what purpose it was en-
acted, remembering that in the cam
paign two years ago the issue was not
as to the enactment of new law, but
the failure to honesty enforce the old.
1t must further be remembered that
neither platform advocated its enact
ment, but that both recognized that
the valuation placed upon the railroads
years ago was not the fair valuation
thereof for the last four or five years.
The populists in their platform in
sisted that the assessed valuation
should be raised at least $5O, ,0OO,0 900 be-
fore other property was touched III
that regard The democratic platform
demanded material increase in this
valuation, and the republican platform
recognizing this same. situation, de-
manded raise in the valuation there
of, but not quite SO definitely. And
thus the campaign was Fought out,
each party denying that it intended TO
enact a new law on the subject. while
the candidate OF the democrats and
;s;..s.,ss ,s . IL
he was elected he should enforce the
old law as it stood. but warned tbs
people, if it permitted the republican
party to become successful at the polls,
that in order that they might be blind
ed and misled as to the real raise in
the value of the railroad property, q
new law would be enacted, and by rca-
son thereof all of the taxes of the peO-
pie of the state would be raised; and
while the railroad assessment would
necessarily be increased, that the rela-
tive position of the assessed valuation
of the property of the state would not
be changed to the advantage OF the
people, but by reason OF the law. the
republican party would be permitted to
go before the people at the next BIZ
~ennial election and proclaim that they
had raised the assessment of the rail-
roads, as they do IN this campaign, to
some S27.0O0,000, and therefore, that
they had answered the demand Of the
people. When in truth and in fact, the
railroad valuation is farther out OF
comparison to the reel value of the
property assessed now than 1t was be-
fore the enactment Of the law. Hence.
/ fearlessly charge that this law was
enacted, not in compliance with the
demand on the part o. the people. but
as direct attempt on the part of those
who had previously been shirking their
duties to blind the people to the actual
facts.
During hat campaign the candidate
OF the democrats and populists insisted
thae4l al. near s. COO
unconstitutionally created, was the d. |
rect fruit OF the failure on the part OF |
the state board OF equalization to |
fairly value the railroad property OF |
the state, and that this property should |
be compelled to bear that burden. and |
that the same should not be trans
ferred to the shoulders Of the general
tax payers of the state, and that If he
was elected he should attempt to SO |
have the property of the state valued
as to gradually wipe out this blot on
it's fair name. The republican candi-
date insisted that he was equally con-
scientious, equally desirous of protect
ing the people as against the encroach-
ments OF the railroads, and that ne
too was equally anxious for the wiping
out of this floating debt Yet, not
this insistence on his
part, we find thRt the floating debt un-
de'' the first biennium of his adminis-
tration will be increased nearly one
half million.
1t must be remembered to start with
that the ralroad property of the state
IS not assessed. and has not been as
other property, hut that separate and
lisunct tribunal has been created for
his purpose. consisting of the gov
srnor and other state officials. That
he complaint for the last five years
,r more has been as against this ex-
tribunal, owing to its fail
ire to do its duty as to the property Is
hat came under its special and ex-
lusive jurisdiction. That the campaipn {
vas waged as against this boards dere- 1,
iction, and not as against the derel |
iction of the numerous local assessors |