Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1910-10-26

is composed of the Governor, Secre-
tary, Auditor and Treasurer of State.
Can these gentlemen explain why
they released property of the rail
roads from their proportionate share
of the taxable increase?
During the years 19O7-S, the actual
collection of state taxes amounted
to $4,O54.S76;; the taxes levied to
pay the state expenses for the years
19O9-10. which is the Carroll admins
tration, is s4.602,0o0, or an increase
over the two previous years of near
ly 100000. Can Governor Carroll or
any member of his administration
show the state in possession of any
property in lieu of this enormous
increase? What became of it. How
was it used?,
The people of Iowa will this year
pay in taxes the sum of $31 ,299, 900.
This enormous sum is the result of
an average levy of 45.12 mills on the
dollar, levied on the total taxable val,
lie of all property in the state fixed
by the Executive Council at $500, 240,0
772 In other words, more than thir-
ty-one millions are required to cover
all taxes and this is raised by
levy amounting to 1-2 per cent. of
the appraised value of all property in
the state. The total tax levy last
year amounted to $29,829,000. Hence
the increase of the present over the
past year is $1,470,000 more than last
year. VIII the Governor and other re-
publican officials please explain why?
Will the Governor, Auditor and
Treasurer of State, explain why the
report which should contain all these
transactions, and which should have
been issued in July, is withheld pre-
sumably until after election?
The death of Senator Dolliver Gre
ates a senatorial vacancy, at date
SO late that the emergency primary
law, which was passed at a special
session of the legislature, called after
the death Of Senator Allison two
years ago, does not apply. II the va
cancy now existing had occurred two
weeks earlier, special primary UNI
der the provision of that law might
have been held in November. AS the
matter now stands, the vacancy may
be filled by appointment by the gov
ernor for the period which will end
when the legislature convenes, when
the legislature will elect senator
for the unexpired term. In either
event the people will not have an OF
portunity to express a preference in
the matter. The platform of both par
ties declare in favor of the election
of senators by the people; the law
makers of our state have gone as far
as the constitution will permit in pro-
viding for a primary at which the PEG
pie may express their pleasure and
direction in the matter. 1t Is there
fore, the universal desire and fixed
policy of law makers and political par
ties to let the people select. This be-
ing true, any plan which will give the
people the privilege of filling the
present vacancy should be agreeable
to all parties. Then why not agree
to conduct informal primaries at the
November election under the special
primary law in the same manner that
primaries would have been conducted
had the vacancy occurred two weeks
earlier? The additional expense of
conducting primaries in such manner
would be very inconsiderable and why
not let the state committees of the
political parties, who agree to this
method of procedure, pay the addi-
tionaI expense?
Chairman N. F. Reed has made the
following proposal to the Republican,
Committee relative to filling the SEN
atorial vacancy.
Oct. 81, 1910.
Carl F. FRANKIE, Chairman,
Republican State Committee,
Des Moines, Iowa.
Dear Sir-In the death of man of
such worth to state and nation as has
been Senator Dolliver, party feeling
is allayed and the democrats Of Iowa
feel his loss as do those who were his
political friends during his lifetime.
But however much we deplore his
death. his loss is a stern reality and
new problems face us which must be
met by us at once.
The platforms of both our parties
this year have declared for election
of United States Senators by direct
vote of the people and this PROPOSE
tion is supported by the great major
ity of the people of this state. regard
less of party. In keeping with this
sentiment I Suggest that our respect
i've committees arrange for an inform
al primary to be held on general cleo
ton day for the nomination of candi-
dates for United States senators, so
that the people of the state may be
given the opportunity of expressing
their preference for this important
office. In the spirit of the promises
made in our platforms we would en-
deavor to come as near the election
Of the senator by vote of the peo-
pie as conditions will permit. All that
will be required will be an agreement
that each party shall announce its