The weekly true Democrat., 1908-04-17
his Platform 20 the Democratic VOt-
eFS Of Florida.

IN announcing myself for the Oft1ee 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 70 the affairs Of his office, and in q
large measure he is responsible for the
enactment of such laws. It Is q duty
incumbent upon him TO make sugges-
tons and recommendations, through
the Governor, TO the legislature upon
Rll matters that affect the finances Of
this State.
The duty Of this officer, and the re-
spOnsibility that Is placed upon him, is
at 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 eiti-
Zens of the State, but TO stop the de-
velOpment Of its wonderful natural re-
sources.
Il is impossible to have a prosperous
country without q 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
1urers Of our citizens a system that is
both just and fair 20 labor and to eRpi-
tal.
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 EQuali-
ERtiOn, whose duty il shall be 20 see
that values are so adjusted in each
county Of the State that such county
shall pay only its Just share Of the bur.
den Of taxation, and that the power
appointing such board should be 60 re-
moved from political influences, by leg
islRtive enactment, as TO insure that
nothing but competent and reliable men
should constitute such board, and, If
necessary, they should qualify by a
proper examination as TO their eapabil-
icy.
= am in favor Of license tar - q re-
atFaininG influence upon such businesses
o. occupations Is the legislature may
deem Il advisable 10 exist under police
PEOtectiOn.
Il can see no justice in requiring mer-
nhuwk Hnf10r IovseswaoNa 20
pay an I'D ValOrem tax on his stock in
trade, and, In addition thereto, license
"a order 10 conduct such business.
I am Ia favor Of q closer collection Of
al taxes that are assessed, and am Op- |
posed 20 the sale Of lands for non-pay-
ment Of taxes against which the State |
or county may hold any unredeemed tax
certificates.
As q member Of the Pardoning Board, |
] would be opposed TO the indiscriminate |
pardOning Of criminals.
] believe that all property should bear
its just and equal proportion Of the ex-
penses Of the government, ! am old |
fashioned enough TO hold that the prop
erty holdings Of the wealthier classes,
the individual as well as the corporation, |
should be taxed in the same proportion !
70 It's value as that Of the humbleBt cit |
iEen. IL I should be elected Comptrol. |
Ter, / pledge my best efforts to bring
about this result-that is, that the in
dividual citizen with small holdings shall |
bear no greater proportion of the bur- |
den Of taxation 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
tiheates redeemed. wiz Stcf legislS |
ton that will provide for ( clerk Of |
The circuit court renting % the Comp |
trOller the States proportion Of these |
moneys and turning over to the county |
that which belongs 70 the county.
IN short, believe in an economical
administration Of the affairs Of govern
ment. There is too much inclination 10
levy burdens on the citizenship of the
State. Taxes should be expended Tor
what they are collected, and every item
ok proposed expenditure, in whatever
department, should be carefully set out,
30 nearly as may be possible, In q bud
got, and submitted 70 the legislature.
am in favor Of the most rigid economy
compatible with Efficient public service.
IL chosen, my object would be TO con-
duet the affairs Of the Office in such
manner as would be least burdensOme
70 the people. -
7. ], APPLEYARD, .
Candidate for Comptroller
Of the State Of Florida.
Lake City, Fla. April 3, 1908.