Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-05-20

eminent. determined to develop its in
habitants and teach them how to make
the most Of it's resources7
lit surely must eventually come-if
not thru the revolution now In prog
ress. as we hope it will, then thru
some future revolution. No man has
ever blocked the wheels of progress in
this world with permanence.
Offers Solution Of Problem.
'This matter Of the low taxation of
large owners and the high taxation Of
small owners is but one detail Of the
whole vicious system of taxation
which maintains in Mexico today.
"There has been discussion OF all
sorts Of schemes for the elimination of
the evils of this system. Particularly
has the enforced subdivision Of estates
been carefully discussed.
zone thing would solve the prob
lem. and 1t is the only thing which
can accomplish 1.-THE mere establish
ment OF a fair system Of taxation.
which should make the great land
owner pay upon each acre, value for
value, what the poor man pays upon
his acre. This would at once achieve
the result which Is required.
GU SeS u llaS DSell dTEduSeu IieHC
in Chihuahua as elsewhere. The Ter
rassas family has been placed, not.
Withstanding it's great financial inter-
ests In the state, at the head of the
states government, so that it, itself,
directly or thru some relative or en-
ploye. fixes what taxation it shall pay
on its own property.
Only Elementary Freedom Asked.
Perhaps these facts may show that
the revolt in Mexico is not, as has
been claimed by some. the socialistic
movement. The people Of the nation
do not know the meaning Of that word
They are not socialists. Where could
they learn Of socialism!
They are not troubling yet over
the theories which other nations have
for years discussed. They know moth
Ing Of them They are troubling mere
" for the right to their existence and
some little measure Of real freedom
Their battle is not for the advanced
theories. but for the elementals Of
the simplest human happiness-those
elementals which have been insisted on
In the most rudimentary societies.
I'VE are SO far at present from even
a mediocre form of Justice in our gov
eminent that advanced ideas about
property distribution seem to us mere
visions Of some sleeper's dreams.
The situation has become unbear-
able. The government has been ac-
quiring gradually not only political
power, which is in fact despotic. but
has assumed control Of all the, business
and economical resources Of the coun-
try. such as banks, the railroads, the
totacco trade.
1T Is one OF our most anxious plans
to place a heavy tax. on pulque, which
is a particularly vicious drink. It all
ways makes men want to fight. But
the pulque haciendas. as things stand,
are owned by rich men. powerful in
the government. and thus to fight
this one Of the most dreadful forms of
alcoholism that the world has ever
known has been impossible.
can increased tax upon the liquor
will be among the first reforms which
Madero will announce. The consump-
ton Of this terrible fermentation of
the cactus has become q national curse.
Increased taxation. while it would not
lift the curse from our poor country.
would. at least, decrease the weight
with which 1t rests upon the people.
Favorites Exempt From Taxes.
To go back a moment to the evils
Of our present system Of taxation.
Concessions in the form Of exem ption
from taxation are given out freely to
favorites by men in power, which. of
course, gives them advantage over all
competitors who have not been 50 fav-
ored.
Ask any American who has tried, in
Mexico, to establish a business Of his
own, if he has not quickly learned
that to succeed he must first see this
one and then the other influential
lawyer, feeling every one Of them.
"Often. If he tells you frankly, you
will find that his success has been
bought only thru expensive association
with high officials Of the government
and free participation with him on their
part in the profits of his business. 9th
erwise his business. If he succeeds in
establishing it at all, will be wrecked
by those enjoying special privileges.
"The Mexican taxation system may
be summed up thus: The workingman
the rich man in high favor contributes
practically nothing.
Says It's Crime to Strike.
1t Is a crime IN Mexico Tor work.
ingmen to strike. Whenever strike
happens it is Immediately stopped by
force Of arms. II need be, and it's lead
ers are imprisoned.
1.-THE government, you see, Is ever
fearful that strike may mean forma-
ton Of a body which may gain politi-
cal power. and also the government Is
always close with shareholders in the
large employing companies. Strikers
many times have been sent to join the
army. most unwillingly. thus getting
as the wages OF their strike some 20
cents a day. American money.
Here Is where ley fuga often finds
its cause for application. Ley fuga
literally. means law Of flight BY 1t an
officer is authorized to shoot to kill q
man who tries to run away. It is easy
for an officer to say that any mar
whom he has been Instructed to de.
stroy has tried to run away.
Gives instance Of "0ystsm."
1T has been useless to attempt t.
beat the government or any OF tn,
favorites Of government in Mexico. II
the state of Colima was a famil,
| named Ansuiano, consisting Of tw,
men and their mother. The matter o
the liquidation Of the dead fathers es
tate was pending in the court. TIL,