Omaha daily bee., 1908-08-17
ANSWER TO HIGH TAX TALK
Increase is Only $1s,oes.s4 Despite
Rapid Growth Of State.
SHELDON AND RIDER SPEAK
state Republican Committee Plans
Extensive Speaking Campaign for
September and October
Democrats for Taft.
tFrom a Staff correspOndent)

the people Of Nebraska are being robbed
blind because of the action OF the State
Board Of Equalization, is not borne out
by the facts. The increase in taxes this
year over last year for state purposes is
ridiculously small and the smallness speaks
volumes for the able and economical ad-
ministration Of state business Of Governor
Sheldon and his republican assistants.
state taxes will be increased by the in
crease of the assessment only slS,06SS4 This
increase is divided among all the people
in the state.
Considering the marvellous development of
the state, the growth of the state institu-
tions and the necessarily increasing Of
business details to be attended to at the
state house, the howl going up from
George w. Berge and democratic news
papers looks like the yelp Of takers or un-
Informed persons.
The greater part of the increase in taxes
goes to the university and to pay off a
state debt left by a fusion administration.
The university will receive in excess Of
its last years receipts s62, 2sS 80 and the re-
demption fund will receive the same
amount. The State Board of Equalization
had nothing to do with either OF these.
Both levies are fixed by law. The univer-
sity has been receiving the proceeds from
a l mill levy on the entire assessment
Of the state for many years. One mill levy
on the entire assessment has been going
into the fund to pay off the fusion state
debt for several years. Even George w.
Berge has had nothing to say about the
money spent on the university.
The state board can use Its discretion in
making the levy only for the general fund.
This levy was reduced y of a mill and the
amount Of money which this levy will raise
will be sufficient only to run the state in
a most economical and business-like man
ner-not like the fuslonIsts conducted its
| affairs when they left the enormous illegal
state debt.
Sheldon and Rider Speak,
The republican state committee is get
ting down to work in fine shape and, while
some few good meetings have been held
over the state. during September and
october the prairies will be full Of meet
ings. The committee Is making out a
speaking tour for Governor Sheldon which
will include most of the two months, while
Senator Burkett and Senator Brown will
also devote great portion of their time
to republican meetings. The committee has
on Its list of speakers many good men
who will be sent out during the campaign.
Yesterday Governor Sheldon spoke at Union
and Labor Commissioner Ryder spoke at
Dixon. where big meeting was held.
Secretary Corrici has taken hold of the
management of the campaign during the
absence OF Chairman Hayward and the
work is being kept right up to date.
The Travelling Mems Taft club met last
night at the Lindell with a large number
in attendance. l. P. Sine Of Lincoln is
president Of this club. The meeting GER
tainly demonstrated that not all the travel
Ing men are for Bryan-contrary to the
/ claims OF the democratic spellbnders.
Democratic Farmers FOR Taft,
! Many democrats up our way are going
to vote for Mr.. Taft for president"
| This is the information brought to Lin
coin this morning by Fred sonnenschien
| of West Point
| Il attended a meeting of democrats the
other night" he continued, "and while sit
| ting beside a prominent member Of that
party he told me he intended to vote for
/ Mr.. Taft.
II accused him OF joking. but the man
| said 1t was fact and he gave me the
names of several other democratic farmers
who will not vote for Bryan"
Mr.. Sonnenschien gave the names OF the
| democrats who had told him they in
| tended to vote for Taft.
"One democrat said" reported Mr.. SON.
nenschien. the only reason any of us
farmers would vote for Bryan would be
because we could get cheaper labor II he
was elected. We are paying a high price
| for labor now and 1t is hard to get, but II
Bryan were elected maybe we could get
! help cheaper. But my farm is worth SlE
an acre, my corn 20 cents and everything
/ ole vafga L.,
should ! vote for change even II I am a
! democrat?"
johnson Taken for Preacher.
Joe johnson, present deputy state food
commissioner, who has filled many posi-
tions in life. political and otherwise, passed
the other night for a fun fledged preacher
and a result helped out two friends
The two friends, whose names are with
held because they would not work well
when coupled up with a man mistaken fol
| a minister. went out TO the Epworth as.
sembly to hear Senator La Toilette. Wher
they arrived every seat was taken and they
started to go back to town. Then rar
into Johnson.
TN get you a seat and a good one, :
Johnson volunteered.
The two men consentinE the three wen
to the rear Of the auditorium. through the
| passage to the stage upon which the large
choir was seated. They passed severa
door keepers without being challenged un
til they stepped out in the limelign
among the members OF the choir. Hers
Johnson, who was preceding, calmly
walked over and took seats without being
stopped.
Not so with the other two. they wer,
promptly challenged.
Have you choir seats?" they were asked
Replying In the negative the door keepel
promptly ordered them off the stage.
This Nroused the ire OF the two, becaust
their host was calmly seated and paying
no attention to them.
You let that man In and he has NJ
ticket" one of them remarked.
Hes a preacher" was the prompt an
swer.
We'll. he invited us to come here will
him." said one OF Johnson's guests.
We'll, pardon me-" hastily said tht
door keeper. walk right in. ] didn't know
that" All three got seats
MOVEMENTS or OCEAN VESSELS.