The independent., 1907-02-14
POLITICAL ITEMS
tk<k<x<kxx<<<x&<<<<<<<<<<x

An important admission is made by
the Missouri railroads in their efforts
to effect a compromise with the legis-
lature on the two-cent fare bill. The
roads offer to accept a two and half
cent fare, with a further reduction to
two and a fourth cents on round trip
tickets. They thus acknowledge that a
two and fourth cent rate would be
equitable, and their willingness to con-
cede this much indicates their doubt
Of being able to prove the unreason-
ableness of a tWo-cent fare
Illinois has caught the force of the
legislative reference library. Owing to
the cosnplexity of politics& interests
and public affairs in that state, largely
due to the presence of the nations Sec
ond largest city, legislation in that
state has been more than ordinarily
tangled. The idea of an information
bureau in connection with the legis-
lature, to serve the same purpose in
state legislation as the congressional
library in national matters, has spread
from Wisconsin to Springfield, and a
bill is under way to establish a legis-
lative reference library there.
An effort to get through the Illinois
Legislature a bill submitting a consti-
tutional amendment to moderniZe the
state tax system. .Ids about been given
up as hopeless. 1t is desired to cut the
state revenues loose from the general
property tax, making them depend up
on franchise and Inheritance taxes.
leaving the property tax to be applied
only locally. The proposition has been
beaten by the familiar cry that the
oh oy1or r.olo I,
by depriving them of the benefit Of
the tax OH Chicago property. 1t is
observed that it is not the country
districts that make this complaint. In
this respect the case is similar to that
of the proposed terminal tax in Ne
braska, where the protest is raised
that the tax would rob the country
for the benefit of the cities. This as
sertion, which is entirely without
foundation, comes not from the coun-
try people, but from sources that are
usually found speaking for the rail-
roads. In the case of Illinois, the obvi-
Gus answer to the argument against
the change in taxation is that New
York state has been on that basis for
some years with no evil results to
the country districts. The cry of wolf
raised by the interests that have great
reason to oppose any simple, scientific
system of taxation which could not
be juggled as the railroads have
juggled their way out of city taxes in
Nebraska, is to be successful, however
This is not the first, or the second or
the third time that these interests
have raised the same false alarm. In
the parable two false cries of wolf
were sufficient to end its effectiveness.
1t sometimes takes more in these
days.
Connecticut, oftimes regarded as a
hopelessly corrupt state politically,
proposes to make a record for reform
in this winters legislature. A bill is
about to be passed forbidding salaried
employees of the state to employ them
selves as lobbyists.
Colonel Colts thirty EIGHT votes
which he gets regularly in the Rhode
Island senatorial balloting are a little
more than a third the total His legis-
lative supporters represent less than
one-tenth the qualified voters of Rhode
Island. one vote In elections In some
parts of Rhode Island thus equals i'm
force more than three votes in other
parts. and If all reports are To be
credited the price fully represents the
difference We feel quite indignant on
viewing the German election returns 10
note that parties polling a majority of
the votes get only fourth the seats in
the Rcichstag. Germany is a thinly
disguised desputism, anyway.
The testimony Of II. II. Francis of ST.
Louis on hehRlf nf his friend. Senator
Bailey h not conclusive in establishing
the innocence Of the eminent Texan. II
goes to show that senator Bailey AS
sisted the Waters Pierce Oil company
I'm gaining admission % Texas For this
aervice he declined payment In cash
hut did accept the courtesy of loan,
FoF tae senator IA Is argued that b.