New-York tribune., 1904-10-05
FAGAN OUT FOR STOKES.
Declares Republican Stand on Equal
Tarati0n Is the Better.

AIavor Fngan, of Jersey City. settled ali doubt
yesterday concerning his attitude in the guberna-
toriaI contest The Mayor has been an earnest
champion OF equal taxation and 1t was his strong
open letter to Governor Murphy last winter that
brought about the action of the legislature au-
thorizins the appointment OF commission 10 In
qure into the subject and report at the next ses-
sion OF the legislature Tile Mayor even had drawn
an equal taxation plank. which submitted
to the Republican State Convention, but the con-
vention adopted a modified plank. 1t was re-
ported that the Mayor piqued and would prob
aoly support the Democratic nominee for Gov
ornor.
The Mayor put an end to doubt yesterday and
made public a vigorous statement reviewing the
action of the Democrats on the equal taxation
question and exposing It's shallow promises The
Mayor said:
In the State campaign all citizens deslrous OF
good government must choose between The Demo-
@ T%t!c Pa5ty ana its candidates and the Republican
= The Democrats promise US equal taxation. What
- tielr party history on the subject? The Demo
ton OF this year is practically Identical with the
1889. The Democratic candidate for Governor and
tne candidates for the legislature appealed for sup
# successfnl they You'd increase the he taxes upon
iiu pIoperty substantially as now promised IN
the pledges we're thamess b2oen Gt sHS ad Po even
an attempt was made to carry them out
The Democratic leaders who made and broke
those promises are, with scarcely an exception the
same men VINO gathered al Trenton the other day
in full control OF the party organization. Without
their aid the pledge Of the platform cannot be re-
are made for election purposes only. and would
the same men who were responsible for the race
graded the state ten years ago.
Again, they appeal for support on the ground
respect for Mr. Black but this does not obscure
election
Will strengthen the power OF these discredited
h9ye also considered the effect Of the election
f cy Sra Yeas tEe p6re qo tfe aeh5 G9Hqons be4e I
has used the cry Of equal taxation and pretended
Wien became Mayor Of the tity found giaring
inequalities and determinations in the tax levy in
entirely omitted. We raised the valuations on the
"a al sG on an yerse e ~ p ;.sJ 1o5 er csIt
the Tax Board and Board of Finance bitterly op-
posed and voted against these increased assess
meuts. but the same were paid by the companies
thus prons that at the Former assessments made
by the Democratic machine were gross under
sSln convinced that whatever remains 10 be
rnent Of Conditions in Jersey City-and much still
remains be doue-must be accomplished against
chine How would the election Of a Democratic
Governor affect these CONDITIONS? G. Can any one
the local Democratic machine and that this power
T9TG gra &c @ psea has Rf5 in 5nt i IN the
Party conduct must be judged q whole.
have not always approved the course OF She Re
publican party in this State, and have criticised
the same I'm the past and shall not hesitate to
do In the future. 10 occasion requires. Never
theless believe that by the election OF the State
Republican ticket the State government will be ad-
ministered. the whole. more efficiently. eco
uomCally and honestly than we have any reason
to expect from the Democratic machine.
Senator +. c. Stokes is man OF high personal
character. of vice experience IN affairs Of state
whose career in State politics has been identified
with all progressive measures Of the Republican
administration for the last ten years. AS Gov
error. believe. he will set high standard of
official conduct.
Personally. would have been glad to see the
Republican platform take more advanced stand
upon the subject OF taxation Of railroad property
compIish that end. shall continue TO fight along
this line In the coming ssion Of the legislature
and thereafter. II necessary.
TIE Republican platform. however. specifically
promises a measure OF relief which will mean sew
eral hundred thousand dollars additional revenue
annually from railroad property 10 Jersey CITY
alone and commits the party to the principle that
all railroad property shall bear the same burden
of taxation as is borne by the property OF other
owners
believe. therefore. that more Is TO be obtained
for Jersey City this subject bv supporting the
Republican party than hv supporting the Demr-
cratic party. which. JUDGED by its past history can
be counted on 70 repudiate utterly It's promises ,
successful at the polls.
For these reasons. I believe that can best serve
the interests ~ Jersey City by supporting Senator
Stokes for Governor