The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1905-12-12
REPUBLICANS WILL MOVE.
state Chairman Briggs Announces the
Republican LegisLatlve Z licx.

state Chairman Briggs Announces the
Republican Legislative + icy.
Trenton, Dec. 5. Frank o. Briggs,
chairman of the Republican State
committee, sent out the following let.
ter to the chairmen Of the Republican
county committees throughout the
State Tuesday:
In view of several inquiries / have
had from Republicans in various parts
Of the State concerning the party pol
icy at the coming session of the legis-
lature, l deem it wise to communicate
with each of the county chairmen, so
that there may be no misunderstand-
ing Of conditions among the party
representatives.
The attitude of our party has been
SO clearly defined that there is no
cause for uncertainty or doubt. The
last Republican State platform de-
clared unequivocally for equal taxa
ton of all property, corporate and
personal. It specifically promised
that second class railroad property
should be taxed at local rates, and
last winter law was enacted fulfill
ing this promise, under which the
various municipalities of our State
will receive annually in round num-
bers 100000 more than heretofore
received from that source.
The platform also promised that the
subject of main stem railroad prop
erty should be carefully Investigated,
and that any inequalities of taxation
as between this class of property and
the property of individuals should be
removed. That Investigation has
been made under authority of the leg
iislature. From my contact with
members Of the legislature and prom
inent Republicans / am satisfied that
it is the unanimous sentiment of the
whole party that this question will
be settled by the enactment Of such
\ laws as will leave no doubt that the
railroads will pay. equally with all
other property, their fair share Of the
burdens of taxation. This will un.
! doubtedly increase the amount Of
taxes payable on the main stem of
the railroads, and will corresponding
" benefit the people
i Of course, it is for the legislature
to arrange for the collection and dis
position Of the revenues thus to be
collected. From the present tax on
main stem property the State is en-
abled to pay substantial share Of
the State school taxes. Under the
! prospective legislation the revenue
from main stem taxation should be
sufficient to entirely relieve the peo-
pie from the payment of any State
school taxes.
A number Of the county platforms
this fall declared in favor of limited
franchises for public utility corpora
tons. The demand for this legisla-
ton is unmistakable There may be
some discussion as to the details Of
the plan as between thickly settled
and sparsely settled communities of
the State, but it is evident that pub
lie sentiment is strongly opposed to
permitting the voting away of the
rights of future generations through
the granting of franchises for an ex-
cessive term of years.
The Republican party, as is its Gus
tom. will meet this and all other ques-
lions that arise in spirit of courage
and fairness and with no other object
than that of serving the people The
charge that there is any organized
opposition within the party to these
important issues or any disposition to
evade them is entirely groundless.
These are party principles which it
is the duty Of the Republicans to see
enacted into law.
Eleven years ago the people of this
State intrusted its destinies to the
Republican party in the interest of
good government and reform. Since
that hour our party has gained in pop
ular favor and met with such approx
al at the hands of the voters that to-
day it is almost without opposition
throughout the State. 1t will not fail
to do its duty now. but will prove
worthy of its past record and meet
to the full the just expectations of the
people.