The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1904-05-26

duct of their respective departments
by each of the officers of the present
state administration. They have
materially increased the income OF
the state and reduced expenses. For
the first time in the history OF the
state no tax was levied in 1913 to
defray state expenses. The civil
service has been kept at flgn
standard. Oh inspection has tor
the first time became a source OF
net revenue to the state. The pro-
lection of fish has oeen effective
without any cost whatever to the
taxpayers. We denounce all as
sertlons to the contrarA as mallci-
ously false and vicious.
Railroad Investig alton
We commend the investigation
conducted by the administration OF
the accounts of the railroad compan-
les for the purpose of ascertainlng
whether they have paid the full
amount of license fees imposed up
on them by law and we pledge the
party to the pursuit of this invesl-
CATION until every dollar justly due
the state shall have been collected
and paid into the state treasury.
We promise and demand OF the Leg
islature that the law under which
this investigation is made shall DE
so amended and strengthened as TO
give to the railroad commissioner
power to examine the records OF all
persons without prior notice, COM
pei the attendance of witnesses who
may have knowledge of the matters
un der investigation and such other
powers as may be nece esary to fully
carry out the true intent and pur
pose OF the law. Under this lnVes-
tigation, covering but short period
of time and a few companies, the
collection of over 100000 license
fees withheld from the state is
reasonably assured.
We heartily approve the progress
made In the work of tax reform. We
demand the repeal of the so-called
mortgage taxation law" of 1913,
such law having proved itself a cun-
ming device to exempt the interest
of the mortgage instead OF taxing
it as it purports to do in the title
and on it's face, and we approve tbs
constitutional amendment passed
it's first stage in the last Legislature
which will authorize the enactment
of law for graduated income tax
and pledge the party to its support
in the next Legislature.
Free Passes Prenicious
The present anti-pass law should
DE so amended as to forbid the re-
ceipt or use of railway passes or
other transportation from railroads
or other public service corporations
by any public official, whether such
passes or transportation be granted
without compensation or wholly or
in part in payment for services ano
we promise and demand that legls-
lation to so amend that law be en-
acted.
We denounce the gift of passes or
of free transportation or any other
favor by public. service corporations
to public officials. be they state
municipal or federal, or the accept
lance OF such favor by and such
official as species of bribery for
which the corporation should be
punishe as well as the recipient.
Officeholders Denounced.
We denounce the pernicious activ-
itv of civil servants in attempts to
defeat the platform promises to
which they owe their preferment
and in assisting professional lobby
lists and public service corporations
in az effect to defeat, "a fair and free
expire ssion of the public will.
Coerclan of Laborers.
We condemn as subversive OF
popular government the attempt of
employers of labor. to coerce their
employees to vote at the caucuses and
conventions contrary to their own
convictions, and we pledge the party
to enact such legislation as will
effectively protect the humblest
citizen in his right to free ballot at
the primary as we'll as at the cleo
ton.