The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-11-01
POLITICAL GOSSIP.


tContinued from Psxs One.l
There has been much lamentation
In the state house regarding the loss
Of the inheritance tax law and its
helpful revenue. OF course NO one has
spoken out loud about the matter. but
there 10 q general feeling that the
money formerly realized from the pro-
good many holes in the patched con-
dition of the states finance.
Means &2SO, 200 . Year.
When the law was killed 1t was just
beginning to return q nice dividend
to the state. 1t has been conservative
ly estimated that the act was good Tor
q quarter of q million dollars revenue
each year to the state under provisions
a. were in force when the law was re-
pealed. And q quarter of a million
dollars additional money In the state
treasury just at this time would light
en- the hearts OF the depressed Demo.
Gratis who realize that there is hard
year ahead under the 1913 tax levy In
an effort to meet the bills which the
legislature shouldered on the state.
It wasn't the loss Of the inheritance
tax law alone that caused trouble.
law will probably raise as much rev.
enue as did the repealed law. But
several revenue producing bills which
the Democratic legislature enacted.
have failed to meet up with advance
FOR instance, there was the picture
Aim censorship law. The state super
intendent of public instruction was
Riven the responsibility of making
the law q success or failure and adj
ding new monies to the state FUND.
But Just at the particular time that
the legislature handed this honor to
Superintendent Ross, the superin-
~ q nAaViah frame 04
mind and complaining Of the iniqui-
ties Of the school text book law and q
reduced appropriation to his individ-
nal department. So Mr.. Ross de-
cllned to hasten to the rescue Of the
law and the act is now tied up in
complicated litigation and the state
has realized none of the expected
benefits.
Then there was the sand bill. The
sand people objected to paying roy
alties and while some money has been
received under provisions or the act,
the new law has not done everything
that was expected of it and suits pend
ing in the courts may compel the state
to return to the sand men all the
money that has been collected.
The corporation tax law, a Demo-
cratic measure, will probably produce
100000 to 100000 year, but 1t
does not become operative until next
year-and more funds are needed
night now.
Furnishes Democratic Defense.
Action of the Democrats in repeal
ing the inheritance tax law, however.
has furnished one real, sure defense
for the next campaign in reference
to state finance. The law was de-
cidedly unpopular with the voters,
especially in the rural districts. SO,
when the Democrats voted for Its
repeal, the action Occasioned as mucn
10Y as any move made by the present
state administration.
OF course the loss of the funds UNI
! der the law has occAsloned much EN-
barrassmont and moro or less explain
44zpn At the hands Of the state admin
1okfation. On the other hand. the
Democrats have perhaps unintention-
ally, reserved to themselves a defense
for the next campaign. Even though
1t should be necessary to make slight
increase in state taxes next year and
even though the Democrats might be
forced to admit that their campaign
cry Of reduced taxes" was an abb
surdity and impossibiiity, their action
In killing of the inheritance tax law
will cover a multitude OF transgressions
and perhaps save many votes to the
cause.
But while the Democrats are offer
ing the repeal of the law as a defense.
there Is a demand among the leaders
Of all parties that the 1915 legislature
enact a new inheritance tax law-per-
haps not so stringent as the old one
but a law which will bring new revenue
to the state. And under existing con-
ditions. 1t Is quite probable that the
vote on such a bill would not be con-
fined to strict party lines.
30. after all, Kansas may not be
finally aelieved from the operations of
the old law.
p e. Laugh1in. who last year made
tne race Tor state treasurer on the
Democratic ticket and reduced Earl
Akers' majority to less than 5000, may
De a candidate again next year al
though he has said nothing about It,
Laushlin. who is a Marysvflle banker
and popular all over the First district
is now frst assistant under Bank Com.
missioner Charles M. Sawyer. 1t il
probable that If Laughlin enters the
race. he will make his announcement
early this winter.
Plans for Progressive district meet.
1ngs in all parts Of the state have been
under consideration by National Com
mitteeman William Allen White OF
Emporia. 1t Is Whites plan to arouse
the fighting spirit in the Kansas Bull
Moosers and to dispel any gloom that
may exist since the defeat Of Progress
o1ve candidates in recent elections. Re-
Gently the Second district Progressives
held meeting in Kansas City. But
dates Tor meetings in other districts
have not been determined.
State Treasurer Earl Akers this weer
boosts Mrs. II. J. Cornwall of Ct. Johu
for the Republican nomination as rep
resentative from Stafford county. Ak
ers' home. Mrs. Cornwall il the frst
woman to be seriously mentioned as !
legisla tive candidate in this state, but
Akers in his Stafford County Renuhii.
can declares that several members OF
the gentle sex should come to Topeka
in 1915 to help pasa laws and aunnress