The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-08-13

--Att - - AIAA cat lAltCECSL III LAAC pei
sonal views OF candidates for office on
political issues. They have been ex-
pected in meetings, and various other
ways, to discuss them before the vot-
ers.
THE only Democrat elected to the
presidency in the last half cent? y
amended the platform on the tariff
question by his letter of acceptance
and the last nominee of the party for
that great Office accomplished an
amendment by merely sending teie-
gram.
Personally. I think our platform a
good one. Taken with its unequivocal
Endorsement of Governor Hoch's admin
lstration based on the platform of two
years ago, ii may be considered as in
Guiding and declaring in favor of all
these questions: but il any citizen is III
doubt he should be answered sincerely
and fairly
THE Republican party and its peer
less leader, Theodore Roosevelt, have
brought forward and are responsible for
every issue in the great campaign that
IS now being waged for civic reform
and honesty in the public service It
can afford to take no backward step
IN this movement
First have given some attention
to the primary election law question
and have been heartily in favor of it
Tor several years. Recent discussions
Of the question and its workings where
in ube, make me believe that some Inn
itation upon the power of a small plur-
atty to nominate should be included in
the plan. This could be accomplished
by some Of the second choice plans now
advocated, or by a second primary I
the law can be made simple enough.
So far in my judgment not enough
emphasis has been placed upon the inn
porGance Of official protection of the
IairEass of the township and ward prl-
mary which is under our system tns
real unit of government. Not only
- ha -fa Of oil h,a
held on the same day, but a system Of
registration of voters should be adopt
ed and its provisions given a far wi'sec
application than under the present cleo
ton law. Penalties for false swearing
IS well as for repeating and bribery
should be provided and strictly enfcrc-
ed.
Second am in favor of the assess
ment of all property of the state at its
actual cash value.
I would favor the placing of the
power to ascertain the value of rail-
roads, and other property of the pub
lie utilities companies now in its con-
troll. in the hands of the board of -ail-
road commissioners. In any controversy
before it over the reasonableness of a
rate, the assessed value of the property
in question should be the starting poirl,
in determining whether the rate is JUS
" compensatory, on the amount in
vested in the property
The inequality of taxation. as apply
AAAS IL oil BADHC4 ~ - the q yAilS 6Nll VI
our local and state government. A new
system must be devised. II should not
be an issue, but should be the para
mount concern Of the present time with
every good citizen. Is there not q sense
Of patriotic duty broad and deep enough
in this state to secure the adoption and
enforcement of plan of taxation that
will give US an adequate and equitable
plan of taxation of all the property of
the state2 If so, the railroad property
will be taken care of with the rest
Third believe the people Of the
state favor the cooperation of the state
with congress in the law just passed in
the abolition of the free railroad pass,
and I am in favor of it.
THE cOurtesies to public officials were
originally extended in good faith by
the railroads because of the public ma
ture of their business. but the practice
has been abused both by the pass seek
er and the politicians. The roads them
selves will certainly be glad enough to
dispose of this nuisance, and 1t may
have sons effect upon the success Of
reduction in passenger fares.
"Fourth-Certainly no one can op-
pose a maximum rate of passenger
fares of 2 cents per mile, or as low a
rate as conditions will justify I do
not know how low this can be made.
Possibly with the increase of travel
coming from the lower rate and the
increase Of receipts from the abolish
ment of the pass, a rate of 2 cents may
be sustained.
II am not in favor Of any reduction
in rates which means a deterioration
in the service now maintained, or
which may force a reduction in wages
to trainmen. to whose competence and
fidelity we intrust our comfort and our
lives"
In addition to Mr.. Jackson. four
additional Republican candidates for
Legislature have lined UP with the
Square Dealer orga uizatiOn. Three OF
these were members of the last house
of representa- and the other is
new nominee.
Judge s. L. Ryan Of Hiawatha. Brown
county, the new candidate says in his
letter:
Passenger and freight rates should
be made as low or cheap on the rail-
roads of the state as can be done to
give fair remuneration to the roads. To
assist in lowering passenger rates there
should be an anti-pass law, making it
criminal to receive, give or use passes.
In determining what is fair remunera-
ton for railroads their earnings should
be based on the value of their proper
ties as listed for taxation, and not on
watered or inflated stock valuations
But if other property in the state IL
valued at a lower rate than its actual
value -ailcoad property should be valued
in the same way. There should be
strict primary election law passed which
will contain all the safeguards of the
regular election laws so that every pri-
mary whether for the election of can
di6ates OF for the election Of delegates
to conventions viii be guarded and
fraudulent and illegal voting avoided.
Every citizen and corporation
should pay just and equal amount of
taxes. according to the value of the
property owned. And looking to this