The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1904-09-27
REPUBLICAN FATE PEATFoRM

period it has governed the country. What
a record OF achievement 1t has always
been the party Of progress and prosperity.
The preservation of the union. protection
and sound money have successfully been.
and are its watchwords 1t has met every
great emergency in the right.
The Administrations of President Roose-
welt has been American, courageous and
honest. His character and purposes fill
the American heart with admiration We
endorse him with enthusiasm for further
tenure of office. and adopt as our own the
| platform Of the last Republican National
Convention.
We heartily endorse the. administration
of Governor Murphy. It has been honest,
progressive and achieving.
Laws for primary reform, giving the
state nferest on its money deposits. Great
| ing atenement house commission. and pro
| vlding for reforming in factory and work
shop legislation. are among the acts which
reflect credit upon the bnsiness-like man
agement of State affairs for the last three
| years.
The State revenue has been carefully
conserved while at the same time the
helpless and dependent population of the
State have been cared for to a greater ex-
tent than ever before
Through the persistent efforts of the
present administration over three quarters
of million dollars have been collected
from the National Government f@r inter
est moneys on expenditures made by the
State at the time of the Civil War
The Republican party OF this Atate has
|inaugurated q policy unknown elsewhere,
In using the surplus funds of the State
treasury for the relief of local texation.
Under this policy $4,000 900 of the states
income is now annually distributed to our
various taxing districts as their dividend
from wise administration of State affairs
The record Of the party for the past nine
years is an evidence of the faifhfuiness
with which it has carried out its trust, and
if continued in power it pledges itself to
scrupulousiy guard the States income for
the benefit OF all the people; to continue
to use the surplus thereof for the further
reduction of the local tax rate. the inn
provement of our school system. and for
the extension of our good roads, which
policy has proven asboon to the people of
this State We pledge ourselves in these
policies to SO manage the finances sas to
prevent the imposition of State tax, to
which we are unalterably opposed.
This constitution of the State declares
that property shall be assessed for taxation
under general laws, by uniform rules, ac-
cording TO its value. Equal taxation is not
only just. but an obligation imposed upon
the Legislature by the constitution.
The taxation of railroad property has as
sumed its present prominence largely be-
cause OF the constant and increasing alb
sorption of private property for railroad
purposes, particularly at the terminals of
the great trunk lines sN.
Railroad property is now by legislation
sanctioned by the highest judicial author
ity of the State segregated into a class for
purpose of taxation. This system has err
listed for twenty years. and under it the
Staterand municipalities have received
large returns, and State tax has been
avoided. BY means of it railroad property
Is divided into different classes for pur-
poses of taxation.
The franchises and the property familiar
~ called the main STEM are taxed by
the State Board of Assessors at uniform
rate, assessed upon their true value as a;
whole. Other real estate. not included in
the main stem" owned by railroads and
used for railroad purposes. and known as
4 second class property, is also taxed BY
the State Board of Assessors at fixed rate.
A portion of the taxes derived from this
class Of property was formerly paid to the
State for It's use, but su bsequently the Leg
islature to the Interest of certain munich
palities where the diversion of these taxes
into the State treasury seemed to be ahard-
ship, modified the law by directing that
this whole tax be paid TO the particular
municipalities whore the lands were stu
ate.
We believe that the time has now come
when still further medication of the law
palities, by providing that this I second
class property should be taxed at full To-
cal rates for local purposes, and we are in
favor of the enactment of law to this eff
feet.
The question of affecting the taxation Of
the franchises and SO called " main stem
are SO intimately connected with the rev.
enues of the State. and so far-reaching and
involved, that the subject should receive
the most exhaustive consideration. Under
authority of the last Legislature. COM
mission was appointed by the Governor
10 investigate and report to the next Legis-
lature upon the taxation Of all classes of
property, by whomsoever owned. This
commission shas now organized. and has
commenced its deliberations by setting on
foot q searching investigation into
the taxation of railroad property. The
possible loss of revenue to the State tax,
the danger of State tax, AID other results
affecting the State at large, which might
arise from a change in the method Of taxa
ton of the franchise and main sIen.n
are SO great that we deem it prudent and
conservative TO await the report II fhis
commission before taking Ahy further &C
ton thereon.
Upon this prevention of this report to
the Legislature. we pledge the Republican
party, its candidate for Governor, and It's
members in the Legislature to q fearless
and thorough consideration Of this subject
to the end that If any lack OF uniformity
or Inequalities are shown to ex st.. they will
he removed so that all p op~riy, corporate
or individual. except that use for religious,
educationa and charitable purposes. shall
bear lts fuil tqual aud Just burden Of taxa
lion wishcut disc imipa,lOn aud wepieuse
30 the peou of the State the enactment Of
ali just laws q Tia and