The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1912-03-15

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The primary law should make provi-
sion for an expression Of the voters
on questions as well as upon candi-
dates, and laws should be authorized
dealing criminally with candidates
who pledge themselves to specific
measures and then, by official act,
repudiate those pledges after the cleo
tion. Platforms should either be made
binding or they should be prohibited.
You now have a statute embodying
what is known as the Oregon plan,"
which enables the voters to pledge
! legislators to vote for the popular
choice for United States senator.
While It seems certain that congress
will soon submit la constitutional
amendment providing for the direct
election of senators, still as matter
of precaution this safeguard should
not be surrendered until constitu-
tional amendment is secured.
Taxation.
Taxation is one of the prominent
subjects with which those entrusted
with government have 20 deal. Other
questions come and go, but the ques-
ton OF taxation remains. When we
find and employ a perfect method OF
taxation. we shall have gone long
way toward perfection In government;
until then, we must approximate as
nearly as we may to justice.
Adam Smith lays down principle
for the guidance Of those who frame
tax laws, and no better rule has been
proposed, namely: that citizens should
contribute to the support of their
government in proportion to the bene.
fits which they receive under the pro-
lection of their government. This is
the ideal, which the wise and just
are struggling to embody in law. 1t
may be taken. for granted that you
will seek subjects OF taxation and
employ such methods OF assessment
and collection as to give no just
cause for complaint, partiality or fav.
oritism In apportionment. assessment
or collection. The income tax is like.
| ly to be employed by the federal gov.
ernment as a means OF raising reve-
! nue., but that Is no reason why 1t
| should not be employed In the state.
1t Is not double taxation to include a
tax upon incomes by both state and
federal government. We must con-
tribute to both governments, and 1t Is
not material upon what particular
kind of property the tax is levied, pro-
vided It is so laid as to impose upon
each citizen his proper share Of taxes.
Franchises are proper subjects Of
taxation. Corporations likewise are
being more and more considered
subjects of taxation, and the mere
right to incorporate is valuable gift
to those who take advantage of It..
The corporation relieves the stock.
holder of a part Of the liability at.
tending the man who does business
as an individual or as a member Of a
partnership. This limitation OF LA.
bility is an advantage worth pay.
ing for. ~"
l think you might properly leave
some latitude TO cities and counties
In the matter of taxation. II they are
allowed to experiment with different
| hetuOuo, tut puoilC DC WCi ab tu0
communities viii have the benefit of
the experiment, and only by expert.
ment can the merits of systems be
determined. Provision should be made
for equalizing the basis Of assessment
so that taxes for the larger communi.
ties can be equitably distributed, re-
gardless of dissimilarity Of local sys'
TENS.
Corporations.
All public service corporations
should be under the control of Off.
GERS, boards or commissions empow.
cred to prevent watering of stocks
and the issuing Of fictitious capitals
cation. All franchises should be for
definite period. and that not long
one. A perpetual franchise Is abhor
rent to every sense OF justice. Nc
human being can look ahead hun
dred years and estimate the value OF
public franchise--not to speak OF one
thousand years or longer. The maxi
mum limit Of such franchises should
not be more than 26 years, and the
charter should reserve regulation and
control by tho government, and
should also reserve the right Of pub
lie purchase at the physical valua
ton.
In regulating mercantile and indus
trial corporations you will have little
trouble except with the large ones
II Is only when corporation begins
to enjoy a monopoly that It becomes
a menace. You should. therefore. pre-
scribe such constitutional limitations
as will insure competition.
There Is no middle ground betwser
competition and government owner
ship. A monopoly is indefensible ant
intolerable. The gist Of monopoly 1.
In the percentage of control. not In
the size Of the corporation. A corpo
ration with capital stock Of $40,
100000 may control one business alb
solutely, while in another business I
corporation OF 500. 100000 may MOI
be able to suspend tho law OF com
petition. At some point between
n