New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-09-21
FOR EQUAL TAXATION.
Platform Declares IT Is Time for
Change IN the Lac.

tUWGt IN tHt AdII.
Trenton. y. J.. Sept. % CspeciaD-The follow
ing IS the platform. which was adopted by the
convention read
The Republican party is Just afty years old.
During The greater portion of this period II has
Uentt Il has always been the party Of prog
ress and prosperity. The preservation Of the
union protection and sound money have sue
cessiFey oeen and are its watchwords II has
met every great emergency in the right.
The administration Of President Roosevelt has
been American. courd geous and honest. His
character and purposes MI the American heart
with adInira ton. We indorse him with enthu-
siasm for a further tenure Of Office and adopt
as our own he platform OF the as' Republican
National Convention.
We heartily indorse the administration Of
Governor Mur2hy- II has been honest. pro
Laws for primary reform giving the state
interest," on Us money deposits. creating tene-
ment mousse commission and providing for re-
form in factory and workshop legislation. ara
among The acts which reflect credit upon the
business'ike management Of state affairs for the
last three years.
THE FINANCIAL RECORD,
The State revenue has been carefully con-
served while ar the same time the helpless and
dependent population ~ the state have been
cared FOR 10 a greater extent than ever before.
Through the persistent efforts Of the present
administration over S75OOO0 has been collect
ed from the national government for interest
moneys on expenditures made by the state AT
The Republican party of this State has IN
arguFated a policy. unknown elsewhere. T.
using the surplus funds of the State treasury
for the relief Of local taxation. Under this
policy S2V90O0G of the States income is now
annually distributed or secured 10 our various
taxing districts their dividend from a wise
administration Of state affairs.
The record Of the Party foT The last niR~ wears
IF an evidence Of the faithfuness with which
II has carried out its trust and II continued In
power il pledges itself scrupuously 10 guard
vhe states income for the benefit Of all the
rrfG HHa-H-
Ior ne IurtHer reduction of the local tax rate.
tee Improvement ot our school system and for
ne ne eN1ension "f orr good roads wh.c' policy
has proved "a boon 70 the people II the State.
We pledge ourselves 90 these policies 70 50
manage The finances as ~ prevent the imposi-
ton of a state tax. 70 which We are uualterably
opposed.
THE EQUAL TAX QUESTION.
The constitution ~ the State declares tha;
property shall be assessed for taxation under
general avs. by uniform rules. according 70 its
true value Equal taxation is not only just.
but an obligation imposed upon the legislature
The taxation Of railroad property has assumed
It's presen prominence largely because of tie
constant ana increasing absorption NJ private
property Tor raiiroe1 purposes. particularly at
the terminals of the great trunk lines
Railroad property Is NOW by legislation sane
toned by the highest Judicial authority of the
state. aggregated into a class for purposes Of
taxation This system has existed for twenty
years. end under II the state and municipalities
have received large returns. and state tax
has been avoided. BY means Of II railroad
properg IS divided into different classes for
purposes of taxation
The franchises and the property famliariy
called th@ main stem" taxed hy the state
Board Of Assessors al uniform rate. assessed
upon their true value as whole. under existing
laws other real estate. not included IN the
main stem " owned by railroads and used for
railroad purposes and known as second class
property is alsJ taxed by the State Board of
Assessors at a fixed rate
portion OF the taxes derived from. this class
NJ for RI rsgF n la
its use. but subsequently, the legislature. i'm
the interest Of certain municipalities where the
seemed 20 be q hardship modified the law by
directing hat this whole tax be paid 10 the par
ticular municipalities where the lands were
situate
We believe that the time has row come when
a still further modification of the law should be
made for the benefit of the municipalities, by
providing that this Second class" property
should be taxed at full local rates for local pur-
poses, and we are in favor of the enactment of
laws &c this effect.
The questions affecting the taxation Of the
franchises and so-called main stem are so In
tmately connected with the revenues Of the
State, and so far reaching and involved, that the
subject should receive the most exhaustive con-
sideration Under authority OF the last egis-
lafure, commission was appointed by the Gov
ernor TO investigate and report TO the next egis-
laiure upon the taxation Of all classes of prop
erfy by WhOmsOeVer owned. This commission
has now organized. and has commenced its de-
lIberatons by setting on foot a searching in
,-sstfgarion into the taxation Of railroad prop
erty The possible iOss OF revenue To the state.
the danger of State tax. and other results ar
eecting the State at large which might arise
from a change I'm the method OF taxation of the
franchise and main stem are great that
deem II prudent and conservative 10 await the
report of this commission before taking any
further action thereon
Upon the presentation of this report 70 the
loaisIatare we pledge The Republican party, its
candidate for Governor ard It's members in the
legislature to fearless ana thorough considera-
.io, Of this subject, 20 the end that if any lack
sc uniformity or inequalities are shown 20 exist
tt,ev will be removed, that all property. COR
,orate or individual, except that used for rslis
;o,... educational and charitable purposes, shall
b.ar IFS full. equal and just burden Of taxation
..,;.bo,t discrimination, and pledge TO the
-.o,Ie ef the State tfo enactment Of all i1st
laws 20 this end.
pAg0O'S ELECTION RATIFIED.