Saturday news. (Watertown, S.D.) 19??-19??, 1914-10-29
R. g. RICHARDS
His Platform

@a@$aH#
IN announcing my independent candidacy for Governor, i call attention
b fact that the present state regime, which practically has had control
Re state government for the past eight years, has slept on its rights 81
kng the taxation problem. That 1t is guilty of negligence, misuse and
e of the taxing power. That it's state tax commission. has failed ~ can
! the fundamental principles governing taxation and has acted hastily
kunwBe. That it has no definite and practical plan. That the state IN
hiBion by strebing the assessment has utterly failed u onserve IN
eHs and has thereby broken down statutory restrictions on levies. That
sances it is accountable for inhicting an ireparabe injury upon old nao-
dependent upon a small income from credits, by forcing assessment 81
s. under high local leyies, thereby taking away onethird to onelhalfs of.
income. The impractical workings of the commission hay vioatad
ey spirit of the constitution itself
he question of taxation in South Dakota, as evidenced BY the increase q
< receipt that you hold, is a most vital one. II is a question that has
been properly solved. The history of taxation marks q series a. eyas.s
errors, and abuses and upon which you, as a cHizen and tax payer. have
to pass Judgment,
is clear to thinking people that progress in state government dement's
the practical advancement made in the public school system and in Cd
taxation. The leading thinkers recognize the taxation system s the
PRACTICAL legal regulation of production and distribution; also for de-
bent in real property, to create unlimited demand for labor.
ery George, the celebrated political economist. for years presented the
Of the single tax on real estate and his followers. honest and able. can
nted by the millions; but he omitted the other fundamental principle
come tax, incident to our present commercial and financial civilization.
advocate the dual" system of taxation, based upon taxation of real e-
nd income only. This is a practical step towards Justice in taxation
e as wealth increases in this state, the receipts from the income tax
eumulate and gradually reduce real estate taxes, which are now "a per
II the entire tax.
live stock, machinery household goods, money or credits, nor OF any
f personal property or improvements; because they are products Of
Ad if there is any income from that class of property, the income tax
Pyer the same justly # We tax buildings there will be less improve
if we tax personal property, it will increase the cost Of living and ar
less encouragement to produce and manufacture; II we tax capital
wl be less capital In the state, because capital is liquid; If we tax
there will be less trade; If we tax savings. there will be less savings;
we tdA mComS W GdtCud Sudl part I II SV6Uu TOm n n all
and there will IN fact be mol es incomes; # we tax real estate we
small share Of the unearned increment and yet there viii be no less
ktate. $8N#
Perefore, the dual principle Of taxation Of real estate and income, is nm
bnably correct ] do not favor a yearly reassessment Of real estate
upon huctuating market value.
favor a more permanent assessment Of real estate by eauaIzng the
value thereof, as one tract compares with another, so as to not ABB
to disturb assessed values of real. estate in the future, except after
Etd periods and. when experience shall dictate necessity for such re-
nent I do not belieyein placing the taxing power in the hands OF an
ted commission. where It may be used as a political favor or club.
be exemption of improvements from taxation will encourage building
TX owners holding ninnrnvnd I'M FIR nu1aff0n "a a nor amunIS
of taxes, while prohting by the improvements Of others Id the increase
lis principle applies to farm lands as well as town lott.
o not favor classification of property for which herepublican platform
es; because that means to continue the personal property tax. + do not
my exemption Of income tax, as is also advocated in the republican
"a; because ! believe everyone, who, by his vote assists in contracting
how little. 50 as q nake everyone Interested and conservative In the
the ballot. r. Q. RICHARDs.@a3
pstscript by Campaign Gomnnttee).
i desire to call attention to the fact that state taxes have trebled since
sent state regime took charge, without a corresponding improvement III
fe schools and the public service: That the annual tax on farm lands
the Missouri river have increased during the same period. from
as455 to S472043655. That the state auditors report shows an in
Of S62 new state jobs during this time. That during this period State
er Cassil ran away with s50,O0000s interest money OF the state; that
Fsloner Brinker committed malfeasance ia office; that the state is
ng with political heaIers. who have received new political appoint
that mutiny has occurred IN the state university; that petty grating
on believe in = safe and adequate remedy. this fall is your time and
nifty to vote for the Independent candidate for Governor. Al new
sweeps clean. RICHARDS CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE.
Eg&M