Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1906-10-11

that in justice to myself and those who
supported me two years ago desire that
the public should know the truth. All
ask is that the voters examine my record
as their representative; il it can be shown
that "Mr Watt betrayed the trust rspossd
in him by his constituents, and has voted
always in the interests of the corpara-
tons. more especially railroads. and
against the rights Of the common people,
it is your duty to vote for someone else.
but if my record shows that | honorably
represented and voted in the interests Of
the people of my district am entitled to
your support. The records are open and
invite inspection. No fairer proposition
could be made. Considering the several
changes in the political affiliation Of my
democrat opponent during the past ten
years. and admitting for the sake of
argument that the statement published
by him to the effect that "A democrat or
wo in the legislature can do no HARM" is
rue, what assurance does he make to the
voters of the county. that. if elected. he
will be found in the democratic ranks on
he st day of January, 1907?
The Galbraith Bill. quoted by my oppo-
rent, provided for two changes in the old
Jaw. First. it gave the state tax commits
ion the right to equalize the values oil
abroad properties with that Of the gener-
Al property. This feature of the law was
air and just but as with other laws now
On the statute books. the trouble arose in
the manner in which the law was ad-
ninistered. The first section has been
declared unconstitutional by the supreme
;ourt. Second, the Galbraith Bill pro-
,ided tax for sleeping car companies
Nearly every legislature for the past ten
years has made an effort to tax these
companies but without success. Prior to
the passage of this bill sleeping Car COM
,anies paid no taxes whatever; last year
hey paid into the state treasury $6,96l.-
81 in taxes. MIR. Morse adds, IF elected,
i the supreme court has not entirely kill
ed this Galbraith Bill, shall vote and
work for its repeal" What would be the
affect Of such action? 1t is under this
second section that not only sleeping car
companies, but railroad companies, ex-
press companies. Car loaning companies.
,tc.. are taxed today. Do the people
want this remaining section repealed and
these companies escaping taxation there
~ depriving the state Of millions of dol
lars in taxes? II so vote for Mr. Morse.
Again, my democrat opponent charges
ne with voting for the bill to reduce the
number Of the state board Of tax commits
;ioners and curtailing their powers. True.
What has been the result? The tax COM
mission is no longer interfering with the
supervisors in their assessment except
Upon complaint of tax payer. the COM
mission has been reduced from five to
three members, twenty-six field men were
dismissed, resulting in saving to the
state Of at least $50 900 per year. Tax
payers was | representing your interest
when voted for this bill9 The tax COM
mission is the body that assesses the
railroads. Mr.. Morse says that he would
abolish the board. What then will be-
;ome Of the railroad assessment? With
The tax commission reduced in number,
md their power curtailed by the bill
mentioned am Of the opinion that the
commission is good thing inasmuch as
the wealthy are being made to pay their
proportion Of the tax while the poor man
With nothing but his little home or farm in |
sight of the supervisor has never escaped |
axation.
The second article published by my OPP
oonent, Mr.. Morse, in referring to the |
Negligent injury act" as far as my action
in regard to the same was concerned, is
lither gross mistake upon the part Of |