The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1908-03-31

great as to evade paying its flll pro-
portion OF taxes as compared with the
smaller property holdings, neither
should any class Of property nor
source of profit egade its fair share
OF taxes. We do not believe in double
taxation nor IN imposing unjustly upon
large property nor large incomes but
we 10 insist that they all be upon d
basis of Justice and equality. Here
tofore the mass OF the people have
borne the burdens of taxation greatly
In excess of relative value The pol
icy OF our Constitution is that every
person should pay his fair share of
taxes and to tighten the burden that
has heretofore been borne by smaller
ia xpayers. Let us carry the spirit OF
the Constitution into effect by imme-
date detail legislation on this subject
USURY LAW
In the state of Oklahoma our pro-
gression and prosperity naturally
creates a borrowing class as well as
q lending class and each Is necessary
to the other, but il is the duty Of the
lawmakers to protect the borrower
against the avarice Of SOME OF the
lending class and to that end we need
a reasonable but effective law on the
usury question There is legislation
now pending before you on this ques-
tion which I trust you will give care
ful and immediate confederation.
HUMANITYiS SAKE.
II Is the province Of government to
yield equal and exact Justice to all and
the first purpose of government ia to
elevate the character Of our citizen
ship, elevate by promoting intelli-
gence, morality, health and comfort.
Give us a good citizenship in Okla
homa and continued good government
Is bound to be the result To this
end we must provide laws insuring
justice to the toiling MASSES and health
and safety to those In the mines and
work shops, on the railroads and in
other lines OF employment.
Senate Bill No 81 should be passed
with sufficient detail and provision to
insure its efficiency
Senate Bill No. 5l should be passed
without destruction of any of its fea-
lures yielding protection to the en-
ployees and safety to the public.
Senate Bill No. 10 with Section 2
amended so as to relieve II from any
unconstitutional features should be
passed.
Senate Bills Nos. 81. 50 and SO
trust may receive your early and care
fnl consideration with view to yield
ing the protection contemplated there
in so as to fully meet the ends of safe
ty and justice.
EDUCATION.
In many rural school districts the
present financial ability Is too limited
to enable them 10 build the necessary
public school houses. suggest that
you consider the practicability Of en-
abling all country districts to provide
their school houses by bond issues,
rental contracts or such other means
as YOU on Investigation, may find prac-
tical and urge upon yo uthat the pro-
vision of the Constitution requiring
/ that agriculture, horticulture, etc, be
| taught IN public schools, should be
given practical effect II was not in
tended to be a dead letter in the Con-
stitution aud / trust that before you
ladiourn you will put the state of
Oklahoma to the forefront in this line
Of Industrial education, and to this end
I suggest carend consideration and
provision for district agricultural and
mechanical Institutes
PUBLIC LANDS.
Cities and towns build paved streets
and build sidewalks as matter OF
economy and comfort for their people
and country districts should have ihs
proved, well constructed public roads
as a matter OF economy as well as
comfort for those who reside upon the
farm. and to that end ! again urge
the importance and good business
sense of .putting our conyicts to worh
upon constructing such public roads
we have substantially four hundred
convicts being kept at the expense o.
the state at the Kansas penitentiarl
nj a cost of forty cents per day boart
and some little additional expense fol
transportation. These eonvicts are al
of them from the former Territory o
Oklahoma. The new state can fslrl!
/ estimate a total of probably eight nun
dred prisoners and so long as thel
! keeping In contracted away from homl
! lit is all outlay and no income for th'
state. A very few cents additona
cost would board. guard and equn
: these men to work upon the pubil'
| ROADS or our own DldAe ahu a. 49,
, Of each year we would have something
/ to show for our money. Let me ea
/ press the earnest hope that before n
legislature adiourns this provision VII
: be made a law
{ IMPROVEMENT BONDS.
Better detail legislation, believe
J IS necessary to provide for the issu
, ance OF municipal and school distrie
! bonds for he creation Of public rl
J proyements, such as school houses
sidewalks, sewers. street paving roa
/, Improvement, etc.
: BIRDS, FISH AND GAME.
/ We need reasonable and Just lay
3 for the better protection oe birds, rs
and game. not so stringent as 70 intel
fere with the Just right and privilege
} or our people. hui yet stringent enoug
E Is protect the birds. fish and gam
! ana TO protect the property oWne
against trespass or annoyance.
EMINENT DOMAIN.
D Such public service corporations
: are necessary to the business and col
T. vonlence of he state and are above
{ the right Of eminent domain undSr on
y Constitution are entitled TO exercis