The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1914-01-08
By the Majority Repub-
licans:

tne republican Slale majority prOpOS-
al committee, assembled at the state
capitol at Pierre on this 9Th day of
pouse those progressive republican
principles and policies with which
the republicans whom we represent
are affiliated; the principles of which
Governor Byrne was the representa-
tive at the primary election of 1912
and which have been prominently in
the public mind for many years. The
progressive movement in this state
was, in the beginning and is now a
part of "a statewide movement which,
under the leadership of Robert M.
LalFollette and others, has swept
across the continent, causing the en-
actment in most OF the states and in
the national congress of Il series of
statutes restoring to the American
people the right to govern themselv-
es; laws which have placed the pub
lie service corporations under COM
plete governmental control; which
compel corporate wealth TO bear its
share of the burden OF governments;
which abolish corrupt practices in po-
%litical life; and which destroy special
privilege and elevate and purify the
standards OF public service.
Some of the direct results of this
great movement with which we are
Identified as progressive republicans
and which has been denounced and
opposed by those who viii support an
opposing ticket at the next republican
primary in this state, were the fol
lowing: The enactment of the law
giving to the Interstate Commerce
Commission the power TIC control rate
making by railroad companies engas-
ed in Interstate commerce; the law
imposing ii graduated TAX upon in
comes; the provision Tor the direct
election of United States Senators by
4 vote OF the people; the abolish
mcnt OF free passes, unjust discrimin-
ations and rebates; the ascertainment
of the cash value OF railroads; the
law prohibiting more than sixteen
hours of continuous railroad service
by employees; the federal safety ap-
p.iance act; the pure food laws; the
postal savings bank: the parcels post;
the tariff commission law (later re
pealed By the democrats) the law
requiring itemized statements
of campaign expenses by candidates
for the Senate and House; the pro-
hibiting of campaign contributions by
corporations; the expulsion of Lor-
liner and the impeachment of Judge
Archibald.
We especially endorse Senators
Crawford and Sterling and Congress-
man Dillon for Identifying themselves
With other progressive republican
membes of the Senate and House of
Representatives in the support OF
progressive measures. We commend
Senators Crawford and Sterling for
their services in securing relief for
homestead settlers by advocating the
passage of laws alloting an addition
al homestead, and relieving them
from the excessive prices imposed
upon hem by the government for
their lands; we commend Senator
Crawford for his services in secur-
, ing the passage of the law prohib.
, ltlng federal courts from enjoinine
state officials and boards without
notice from enforcing state statute
. and administrative orders promul.
gated under state laws. and for his
valuable services in charging the
scope of the Currency bill recently
enacted by congress so hat papel
maturing in six months may now be
used in liquid assets.
We endorse the administration OF
Govtrnor Frank M. Byrne as wise.
firm, honest and courageous. A Ions
list OF laws, epoch making in theil
character, has been placed upon the
statute books of South Dakota under
the leadership of progressive repub
lcans, sustained by the element il
the republican party of this state
which we represent and against the
opposition of the element which pre-
:. sents a ticket at the coming primar,
3 to oppose the ticket we name today
:. The record tells the truth and can
not be hidden by sudden changes il
profession. These reforms and thes,
, laws are evidence OF u good faith
they set forth the principles for whicl
those who sent us here to represen
them stand.
The Tax Commission appointed
!, by Governor Byrne and acting un
der the authority granted by the law.
enacted last winter has brough
a RAsA'> " thS PiSoCLl StdtS duIl1n1S
: tration and rendered invaluable ser
> vice to the state by requiring al
;, property to be assessed at it's full
> value as provided in the Constitution
. and by requiring the listing and as
: sessment of classes of property which
have heretofore escaped taxation
: : Great and powerful corporations
which for years have controlled tht
selection of local assessors and 10
cal boards of equalization, thereb,
limiting the taxes paid by them t.
7 such sums as they have been willing
to voluntarily contribute, have by
the fearless enforcement of the Law
been compelled to bear a just pro
portion of the burdens of taxation
The creation of the Tax Commission
was a step in the right direction
and marks the beginning of a policy
which will be enlarged under progress.
sive rule into a revision of the rev.
'enue laws of our state, by which the
present method of assessing personal
property, particularly moneys and
credits. shall be superEeded by a
Just and scientific income tax sim
liar to that recently enacted by the
: legislature of the state of Wisconsin.