The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-04-11
FOR
COMPTROLLER
Lake City Man Has ISSUED
His Platform and is
Making Campaign.

Tallahassee. April 10.-Thomas J.
Appleyard, editor o; the Lake City In
deX, is now an Opea and avowed can
didate for state comptroller. Follow
ing is copy of Mr. Appleyard's plat
form, which is being circulated among
his friends here and will he dietrihu-
ted among the voters generally at
every postoffice in the state:
To the Democratic Voters of Flor
ida-In announcing myself for the Of
flee of comptroller of the state of
Florida, under our primary system,
realize that it is expected that l
should state my views, or platform.
upon such questions Of public interest
as would probably come within the ad-
ministration of the affairs of the
comptroller's office. ] am aware that
it is the duty of the comptroller 20
enforce the laws that are passed by
the legislature, pertaining to the af-
fairs of his office, and in a large
measure he is responsible for the en-
actment of such laws. 1t is a duty in
cumbent upon him to make sugges-
tons 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-
sponsibiIity that is placed upon him,
is at once apparent, when it is stated
that the whole machinery of the gov
eminent of this state depends upon
the wise and judicious administration
of the cOmptrOller's Office. Such off
Ger should not lose sight of the fact
that in suggesting the process of
raising and providing the necessary
funds for the legitimate expenses of
the government. it is possible thereby
to not only work an undue hardship
upon the taxpayers and citizens OF
the state. but to stop the development
of its wonderful natural resources
1t is impossible to have a prosper
Gus country without a prosperous peo-
pie, and it is impossible to develop
our state without capital In order
to procure and obtain both We must
seek a system OfrtaXatiOn that is not
obsolete. but is in keeping with the
age in which we live; 4 system that
will not make perjureTs of our citi-
zens: a system that is both just and
fair TO labor and to capital
If our present method OF permitting
the state TO tax the properties of the
several counties is to be continued, I
am in favor of a state board of equali-
zation, whose duty IL shall be to see
that values are so adjusted in each
county of the state that such county
shall pay only its Just share Of the
burden Of taxation, and that the power
appointing such board should be so
far removed from political influences,
by legislative enactment as 70 insure
that nothing but competent and rel-
able men should constitute such board,
and. if necessary. they should qualify
by a proper examination as TO their
Capability.
] am in favor of a license tax as
restraining influence upon such bust
nesses or occupations as the IeGlsIa-
ture may deem it advisable TO exist
under police protection
l can see no justice in requiring a
merchant doing d legitimate business
10 pay an ad yalOTem tax on his stock
in trade. and, in addition thereto.
license in order TO conduct such bust
ness
l am in favor Of a closer collection
OF all taxes that are assessed, and an
opposed TO the sale OF lands for non
payment of taxes against which the
state or county may hold any unre-
deemed tax certificates.
As a member of the pardoulnS
board, l would be opposed to the in
discriminate pardoning OF criminals.
| believe that ali property S1oHid
bear its just and equal proportion o.
the expenses of the government ] am