The weekly true Democrat., 1908-04-24

ais Platform 20 the Democratic VOt-
sFs Of Florida.


In announcing myself for the Office Of
Comptroller Of the State of Florida, un-
der our primary system, realize that
&c is expected that / should state my
views, or platform, upon such questions
Of public interest as would probably
come within the administration Of the
affairs Of the COmptroller's Office.
am aware that it Is the duty Of the
Comptroller to enforce the laws that
are passed by the legislature, pertain
ing to the affairs Of his Office, and in q
large measure he is responsible for the
enactment of such laws. It is a duty
incumbent upon him to make sugges=
tiOns and recommendations, through
the Governor, to the legislature upon
all matters that affect the finances Of
this State.
The duty of this officer, and the re-
SpOnsibility that is placed upon him, is
1T once apparent, when it is stated that
the whole machinery Of the government
Of this State depends upon the wise and
judicious administration Of the Comp
troller's Office. Such officer should not
lose sight Of the fact that, in suggest
ing the process Of raising and providing
the necessary funds for the legitimate
expenses Of the government, it is pos
slble thereby to not only work an undue
hardship upon the taxpayers and citi-
Eens of the State, but to stop the de-
velopment Of its wonderful natural re-
sources.
II is impossible to have a prosperous
country without a prosperous people, |
and it is impossible to develop our State
without capital In order to procure
and obtain both, we must seek a system |
Of taxation that Is not obsolete, but is |
IN keeping with the age in which we
live q system that will not make per-
jurers Of our citizens a system that is |
both just and fair to labor and TO eapi-
tsl.
II our present method Of permitting
the State to tax the properties Of the
several counties is TO be continued,
am in favor Of a State Board of EOrcn,.
EatiOn, whose duty j. snail ba 10 see
tcSG values hFe 10 adjusted Ia each
county Of The State that Such county
bhall pay only its Just share Of the bur
den 0t taxation, and that the power |
appointing such board should be 80 re-
moved from political influences, by leg
islatiVe enactment, as to insure that |
nothing but competent and reliable men |
should constitute such board, and, II
necessary, they should qualify by a
proper examination as to their capabil-
ity.
I am in favor of a license tax as q re-
stEaining influence upon such businesses
on occupations as the legislature may
deem It advisable 10 exist under police
protection.
can see no justice in requiring mer-
chant, doing q legitimate business, 20
pay an ad valorem tax on his stock in
trade, and, IN addition thereto, q license
in order TO conduct such business.
am in favor Of a closer collection Of
ali taxes that are assessed, and am OPP
posed TO the sale Of lands for non-pay-
ment Of taxes against which the State
or county may hold any unredeemed tax
certificates.
As a member Of the Pardoning Board,
would be opposed to the indiscriminate
pardOning Of criminals.
believe that all property should bear
It's Just and equal proportion Of the ex-
penses Of the government. ] am old
fashioned enough TO hold that the prop
eFty holdings Of the wealthier classes,
the individual as well as the corporation,
should be taxed in the same proportion
20 its value as that Of the humblest cit
iEen. II / should be elected COmptrOl
Ter, ] pledge my best efforts to bring
about this result that is, that the in
diWdual citizen with small holdings shall
bear'no greater proportion of the bur-
den ottaxation than his more fortunate
brother, who may be the possessOr Of
many thousands.
Prompt settlements should be made
between State and county on tax GER
tifcates redeemed. will favor legisla-
ton that will provide for the clerk OF
the circuit court renting to the Comp
troller the States proportion Of these
moneys and turning over to the county |
that which belongs to the county.
In snort, ! believe in an economical
administration of the affairs Of govern |
ment. There is too much inclination to |
levy burdens on the citizenship Of the |
State. Taxes should be expended for |
what they are collected, and every item |
Of proposed expenditure, in whatever
as nearly as may be possible, in bud
get, and submitted 10 the legislature.
I am in favor Of the mOstrigid economy
compatible with efficient public service.
II chosen, my object would be 70 con-
duct the affairs Of the Office In such
manner as would be least bnrdensome
TT. APPLEYARD,
Candidate Tor Comptroller
Of the State Of Florida.