Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1912-11-01
BEGINNING HIS SECOND TERM IN THE SENATE AS
LEADER

When Senator Hodges returned to Topeka at the beginning
Of the legislative session in January 1909 he the recognized
leader of his party in the Legislature Few of his associates in the
preceding senate had been retained and he naturally took
handing position as an experienced who had dmonsa
ed his understanding of the peoples within his unang support
Of progressive measures He given much better committee
sgpmens than the preceding session and his opportunity for
public service7th reby broadened
It was at the 1909 session that Senator Hodges took rank
as the first nced opponent of the unpopular inheritance tax
law repeal the bad features of which prevented the last
session by the veto of Governor SbbS The inheritance tax bill
was first passed in the House at the 1909 session When it
to the Senate looked for time though would pass without
exposition of shameful provision requiring widows give up
to the state as an inheritance portion of the competency
they had helped their husbands accumulate for in their de-
cnng years But Senator Hodges have quality of in
tuition that has stood him coed stead He is quick to
the effect of proposed and he quick to sense the
effect of the inheritance tax law. He opposed from the first
day appeared the Senate and still opposes it. His has
been amply indicated by the resentment that has been shown by
the people of all classes against this law.
The nheritace tax bill came before the legislature
administration It had the backing of Governor Stubs
and Arthur Capp whom Governor Stubs has selected as his
Under pretense of taxing swollen fortunes it
places thrift and economy The law requires that wi
dow who nher much $780, which hardly cOmpeten
W from the husband by whose side she worked and saved that
they might be beyond their declining years. must yield
portion Of her husbands property the state The and
daughters too subjected to this and the family of
the poor who leaves two thousand dollars feels the
laws burden because cOmps them probate expenses in
order that the state may find whether may legally take toll Of
that small saving these obnoxious features Of the
law that stirred Senior Hodges to opposition His protests
unavng When the law attacked after had gone into
effect and the people complained of its unanesS the Sbh adj
mnistation defended it Arthur Capper the Republican oppO
nent of Senator Hodges in this campaign said edoray in
Of his papers the Topeka Capital July 81 1910:
AZ It not high burdensOme tax but it has paid all
the expenses the State Tax date The prn
cp6 is approved sound by all economists and is coming
be accepted by statesmen Coming into Inheritance par
tcuary collateral heir is like finding money. The state
makes the transfer of the property from the dead to the v
ing. What it, for its services all through the accommodating of
the property and transferring securely to pOsessOr
who had hand in the making the state exacts small tr
butte for its needs Everywhere the inheritance tax has
come be regarded sound benecent and just and
Wagstaff Mysteries regarding widows and orphans will
put the hands of the clock backwards hslne of progress
sive legislation Incidentally Governor Snbbs had moth
ing do with this law, except to sign when had passed
The Capital however, had something to do with urging the
bill through and of its ardent champions and
proud to defend it,
The mortgage recording tax BILL which for the first time
passed both branches of the legislature at the 1909 session. affords
another illustration Senator Hodges understanding of the
public mind and sympathy with popular sentiment He
quick to recognize in the mortgage recording progressive
principle that must appeal strongly TO the people of the state In
1902 and again l9 he largely instrumental securing
the passage of the bill the Senate Despite the fact that has
been twice vetoed by the Governor the bill is popular with
the people today than has ever been Public sentiment has
recognized the principle which led Senator Hodges heartily
support the bill four years ago.
The mortgage rcOedmg tax BILL which the Democratic par
ty pedged by its state platform into law simple in
it's provisions and will undoubtedly compel of Kan
who mortgages Kansas farms contribute to the
state in proportion their holdings matter of
common nOtOriey that while the borrower now compelled to
pay indirect taxes the mortgage when he pays the interest on
his On the nonresident of the mortgage escapes the tax
entirely BECAUSE the taxing officers cannot reach him in his east
ern home The mortgage recording tax bill would impose tax
graduated proportion the Of the mortgage on mort
when they recorded and thereafter exempt them from
taxation In states where has been tried this sort of law has
been found increase the tax whou effecing the bor
tO.his own disadvantage
HOW HE HELPED PUT cRIMP IN THE TIN BRIDGE TRUST