Saturday news. (Watertown, S.D.) 19??-19??, 1914-10-22
r. @. RICHARDS
His Platform

IN announcing m " independent candidacy for Governor l call attention
to the fact that the present state regime, which practically has had control
Of the state government for the past eight years, has slept OF its rights in
solving the taxation problem, That it is guilty of negligence misuse and
oeive the fundamental principles governing taxation and has acted hastily
and unwise. That it has nc definite and practical plan. That the state tax
interests and has thereby broken down statutory restrictions o levies. That
in instances it is accountable for inaictng an irreparahe injury upon old peo-
credits under br high loca1 levies therebv taking awav onelhr Sd TO- TO- half Of
their income. The impractical workings of the commission have violated
the very spirit of the constitution itself.
The question of taxation in South Dakota. as evidenced by the increase in
the tax receipt that you hold, is a most vital om, 1t is a question that has
never been properly solved. The history of taxation marks a series ofe vas-
ions, errors, and abuses M upon which you, as n citizen tax payer, have
a right to pass judgment
1t is clear to thinking people that progress in state government depends
POI the practical advancement made in The public school system and in eq
uMy in taxation. The leading thinkers recognize the taxation system as the
key to practical legal regulation of production and distributions; also for de-
yelopment in real property, to create unlimited demand Tor labor.
Henry George, the celebrated political economist, for years presented the
theory of the single a o rea estate and his followers, honest and able, can
be counted by the millions: but he omitted the other fundamental principle
the income tax, incident to or present commercial and financial civilization.
tate and income only This is a practical step towards justice in taxation,
because as wealth increases in this state, the receipts from the income tai
will accumulate and gradually reduce real estatet taxes, which are o 81 per
cent Of the entire tax.
/ do not favor the direct taxation Of buildings. merchants, stocks of
goods, live stock, machinery household goods, money or credits, or of any
kind of personal property or improvements; because they are products Of
labor and if there is any income from that class Of property, the income tax
will cover the sal justly, If e tai buildings there will be less improve
ments; if we tai personal property it will increase the cstof living and af
fords less Encouragement to produce and manufacture; if we tax capital,
there will be less capital in the state, because capital is liquid; if e tax
trade, there will be less trade; if We tai savings, there will be less savings;
but If We tax incomes, W catch a small parto of the revenue from any and all
sources and there will in fact be mol esi incomes; if we tax real estate W e
catch a small share of the unearned increment ant yet there will be n less
real estate.
Therefore, the dual principle Of taxation Of real estate and income, is IN
SIoHh cOtItCL &c HOt favor Il yeary eaSSeSSme OF real estate
based upon huctuatng market value.
/ favor a more permanent assessment of real estate by equahzing the
relative value thereof, al ne tract compares with another, so as to ct alb.
rupugs to disturb assessed values OF rel estate in the future, xcept after
Moracted periods and when experience shall dictate necessity for such re-
assessment. / do not believe in placing the taxing power in the hands of a
appointed commission, where it may be used a a political favor or club.
The exemption of improvements ron taxation will encourage building
I'll max owners holding uninproved land for speculation, pay a more equal
share of taxes, while profung by the improvements of others in the increase
in the value of his land, by the fact of such improvements being made.
This principle applies to farm lands as well as town lots.
do not favor classification of property for which the republican plahorm
declares because that means to continue the personal property tax i do not
fayor I'M exemption Of income tax as is also dyocated in h rannbican&
Platform; because 1 believe everyone, who. by his vote assists in contracting
2 public debt should also be made to pay his share OF the indebtedness. no
matter how little SO al to make everyone interested and conservative in the
ues of the ballot. . R. O. RICHARDS
Postscript by Campaign Commhtee).
We desire to call attention to the fact that state taxes have tretled since
4 present state regime took charge, without a corresponding improvement in
the state schools and the public service. That the annual tax q farm lands
east Of the Missouri river have increased, during the san period rom
Sa14264s % to $a72G4s655. That the state auditors report shows al in.
crease OF S2 new state Jobs during this time. That during this period State
Treasurer cassfl ran away with s6OO00o0 interest money Of the state. tai
COMMISSIONS eone Brinker committed malfeasance in office; that the state is
sW Sarg Will political heahrs, who have received new political appoint
ina mu1Iny las occurred in the state university; that petty grating
q pot has been freely practiced under the present state regime
= you believe IN q safe and adequate remedy. this fall lis your time ana
opportuhiy 20 vote for the Independent candidate for Governor. A new
broom sweeps clean. RICHARDS CAMPAIGN coMMTrTER