The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-01-20

variety OF products of which Oklahoma
soil is capable OF production, the gen.
eral average has been good. and re-
suits have advanced our state as a
whole to higher place among the
other states OF the Union
Two Cent Fare and Freight Rates.
regret to advise you that the con-
certed and determined assault upon
the constitutional provisions which
you and are here to protect, have
reached in every direction where the
few might profit by heavier burden
OF the many. The actual experience
OF the last two years shows concld-
sively that two cent railroad fare.
with free transportation to none, ana
a uniform rate to all, have given the
railroad companies larger earning
than the former rate OF three cents
to the masses, aud free transporta-
\ tion to the classes, and yet 0klsho-
mas two cent fare and freight rate
laws are assailed in the Federal
Courts, and no one can tell with GER
tainty what the end may be, but in
view OF the great care and wisdom Of
those in the constitutional conyen.
ton who drafted these provisions |
cannot conceive how 1t Is possible for
a Federal Court to interfere with cur
two cent railroad fare law, nor the
provision for regulating freight rates.
Those provisions that afford an ade-
/ uuate remedy at law in all caseS
where two cent fare or a freight rate
ruling of our Corporation Commission
are alleged to do an injustice to the
Transportation company, certainly
should protect these provisions against
interfereuce by Federal Court Of
equity, and where similar laws in
other states have fallen before the APP
proach OF these courts, rely upon
the wisdom of those who drafted
:. these provisions iu our constitution
to have saved Oklahoma from any
such dlsaster.
Taxation.
The policy of Oklahoma govern
ment Is that taxation should beal
with equal force upon all items oI
property, and all sources OF profit
strictly according to the value there
OF, and that one hundred thousand
dollars worth Of property should pay
one hundred times as much as enc
thousand dollars worth OF property
no more in proportion, and no less
1t was not to be expected that this
rule OF common honesty could be pro
claimed in the Oklahoma CtnHtitu
tion and carried out In our admins
tratiOn OF government until the grea
powers had exhausted every effort tt
avoid their just proportion OF the bur
dens OF government. We know ful
we'll that great combinations OF capi
ia! throughout the world have at al
times opposed every effort In govern
ment that stood in the way of thei
obtaining special privileges, and al
advantage over the weaker classes
and this effort in Oklahoma has made
ii necessary for your officers to con
tend daily for the peoples rights, ant
this contention we again find, has call
ed us into the Federal Courts to NEE
the opposition to equal and Just tax
alton.
Substantially half the miles of rail
road In our state has not yet paid th'
last half Of the taxes for the yea
1908, and this controversy is still II
court, untried .or more than year
Likewise the revenue due to the stat
for the year 1908. fixed by the Legis
lature upon the profits and earning
of public service corporations, Goa
mines. and the like, Is sslll wIthneI,
from the state, and arotoc'nd by IN
junction against the state officials, Is
sued by the courts where thog
cases are pending
Banking Law.
Thsorizing may do when we ccnsid
er untried things, but two years .
actual experience has qualified ou
! people 70 Judge OF the efficiency 0
the Oklahoma banking law. and an
. proud to remind your Honorable Bod
that With rare exception. and usual
. inspired by selfish interest. al
others commend your Honorabb
BODY for the passage Of this law |
r has been subjected to the severes
: test possible to have occurred withiI
our state. II has arisen from tai
test, supreme In it's power. an
r blessed by the people for its benehcia
| effects.
some suggest this law needs ament
3 ment. You will find, as have fount
( no doubt. that this call for amen,
{ ment Is inspired. either By thos
9 friendly disposed who have not car'
\ fully studied its provisions. but larg'
D ly BY those who would Kill the Law
e amendment, and vino pose as It
I friends when they want but the ol
e portunfiy 10 destroy H.
g Judge this law by its record. W
/ do not mean to say that we are ~
8 a. all times ready TO listen to th8s
; who would promote Improvement
r tkis law. and yield to their judgmer
j. !. necessity be shown therefor. an
to all such We viii lend patient ca
and welcome their advice. and -
9 this law. like the two cent fare, til
4 railroad rate equal taxation. and Ii
= lending d, foreign gas pipe n1s
\ within our state, has been assaiied
b ~ Federal Courts Of the Union, bl