The Topeka state journal., 1909-02-20
KANSAS cONlNENT
A FAULT OF GovERNMENr.

A FAULT OF GOVERNMENT.
one fault with representative gov
ernment, such as ours, seems to be
that the people and their representa-
tlves are never agreed on the matter of
taxes Inc people elect their legislators
10 represent them. 1t is the opinion of
the people that taxes are high, and
should be reduced. But the people want
number of other things done, and the
legislators find in these measures an
excuse for increased taxes. About
thirty-seven Legislatures are in session,
ana most OF them are devoting time to
raising more revenue; to increasing
taxes. Congress is in the same buSi-
ness. One reason why the tariff is so
difficult to regulate is that it is a tax;
a most unjust one in many of its
schedules. But congress needs the
enormous deficit. One measure which
Is being considered in several states as
a means of increasing revenue, is an
inheritance tax. Since taxes must be
raised, Why isn't the inheritance tax
good idea? A man ought to be willing
to help support the government out of
something he got merely by waiting for
1T. There are thirty-four states in the
laws of some description, and Kansas is
among the few that have no such law.
Still, there is the possibility that such a
law would do little good. The legis-
ing the added revenue; they wouldn't
reduce other taxes.--Atchison Globe.
TELL THE TRUTH.
Country news correspondents are be-
ing criticized for reporting damage
done by winds. AS one of our contem-
poraries remarks, "a correspondent
should learn first of all to say some
thing good or keep still" Our opinion
and instruction is this-when persons
haSV 81 oh wi
most every case apply. Be ever careful
of blackening a character, that if all
the facts were known might be spot
less. AS to occasional winds, storms
etc, or even dry spells, we say this,
Tell the truth, don't exaggerate the
conditions. but let everyone learn to
rely on what you say or write. II TINS
policy is adhered to until the golden
accounts of the wonderful yields of this
wonderful country will be believed.
What little the country may lose py
opinions formed by that
most undesirable lot of prospective
settlers, those that look on the dark
side only, is more than made up by the
gain, as our eastern friends realize that
while conditions here are not always
perfect, that western Kansas Is one OF
the most fertile and beautiful spots on
this hemisphere.-Gove County AdVo-
cate.
A GOOD ROADS BILL.
The only measure of any worth that
has been pushed by the Kansas legls- |
lature is the good roads bill, and the
author Of the most popular road bill Is |
a Democrat, Senator Geo. H. Hodges. |
Senator Hodges bill, if passed as it |
now appears, win. enable communities |
that desire hard roads to secure them, |
but does not compel the building of ex-
oensive roads where the farmers do not
feel like paying high taxes. Under the
bill the farmers along highway must |
petition for hard road. and 1t is left |
,or the farmers themselves to decide
what kind of roads they shall have.
The bill also encourages the improve
nent of roads sby more inexpensive
means, and seems to be about as prac-
ical and sensible road law as could be
1evised.-Wellingto Journal.
OPTIMISM.
It is reported that the heavy winds |
Il two weeks ago and of the past week |
aused considerable damage to wheat, |
,lowing it badly. This was especially |
rue where the land was sandy, some
lelds being almost totally destroyed. |
1owever the farmers suffering in this |
manner have the satisfaction of know |
ng that this land is in great shape for |
orn in the spring. and that land which
S little sandy grows the biggest corn. |
Harper Sentinel.