The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-07-04
KANSAS COlG1AENT

THE PASSING OF AN EXTREMIST.
The defeat Of Governor Hoke Smith
In the Georgia primaries is construed
by the Springfield Republican as "a
reaction against prohibition. and posi-
Oily also negro acknowledgements
Smith had become identified with both
policies. 1t may also mean a reaction
against extreme anti-railroad legisla-
tion, Tor Joseph M. Brown, who wins
over Smith, had been a conservative
member of the state railroad board,
from which Governor Smith removed
him, and the governors newspaper or
gan throughout the recent campaign
made much of Browns alleged pro-
railroad leanings. Very likely, how
ever" says the Republican, "the new
prohibition law was the main cause Of
Smiths defeat, for 1t is noticeable that
all the larger cities of the state went
against him, and there is where pro-
hibition sentiment is the weakest. 1t
was all we'll enough to close the rum
shops against the negro in such places
as at Atlanta, but when it came to
closing the bars of the hotels to your
southern white gentlemen. sab, that
was another matter" Governor Smith
was member of Cleveland's cabinet
and was regarded as a conservative.
When he entered the campaign as cam
didate for governor of Georgia, how
ever, he embraced reforms of every
character and on a platform which
many considered as rank demagogy, he
won by surprising majority. Many
OF his adherents doubtless believed
that his announcements were made
for political effect, but in office he still
adhered to them. His treatment of the
railroads was so arbitrary in many in
stances as to serve in a measure to dis
credit the efforts of that other class
not demagogues and extremists-who
desire to see the railroads and other
corporations brought under reasonable
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Times.
MODIFICATION OF TAX LAWS
1t is quite amusing to watch the
politicians and their half apologies for
the new tax law. They all talk about
notifications" and so forth without
necessity. They seem to think that
the farmers require that whack of
some kind be taken at the law, and
they make it with the judicious ex-
preston, modification"
By the time the primaries are held
the farmers may change their minds
about that same tax law. They might
see that it does not hit them so hard
after all Maybe it will be the town
fellows that will need the explanations.
and maybe it will be satisfactory to
the people generally.
study of the papers Of the state
SHOW some queer facts about the tax
law. The Topeka papers show that the
assessment in that city has gone up
about five times. 1t is doubtful il that
increase will be made in the country.
In Cowley county the increase is far
heavier in the towns and cities than
it Is in the country. The returns from
this county are not sufficiently COM
plete yet, but the probability is that
Wichita city will increase entirely out
of proportion to the balance Of Sedg-
wick county. Our prediction is that
the farmers will look at that tax law
as quite a clever piece of legislation
when they get their tax receipts and
go over them figure for figure with
former tax receipts. This may not be
so. for it is too early yet to speak with
certainty. The word modification" is
all right in any event, for it means
nothing definite.-Wichita Eagle.