The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1914-09-22
FROM AN OLD TIMER.
(COntributed.)
PARIS, KY, Sept. 81, IA.

fAftlO, -, OCpC. q, AZ
Editor BOURBON NEWS:
Since the opening of the present
campaign conducted by what is
known as the "wet and dry forces,
I have been an interested but ST.
lent witness. l have read the many
articles on both sides which have ap-
peared from time to time in the Paris
papers, and 1 have studied both SIDES
of this most important question with
great care.
| have almost passed the allotted
three score years and ten, and with
the exception of very brief interval
it has been spent in Gods flower
garden, the county OF Bourbon.
love the, State of Kentucky, and its
people, who are the greatest on
Gods footstool 1t grieves me to
know that some of my welf-meanlng
but ill-advised brothers have seen
fit to bring this argument before the
people at this time, for it never falls
to breed discomfort, turmoil and bit
terness among people, and very often
brother is arrayed against brother,
with wounds being inflicted that only
years can soothe and heal.
Personally | am opposed to the ex-
cessive use of liquor. At one time in
my life l was what might be called a
victim" to the habit, but through
the help of God and my wnJefforts,
I conquered it, / have not tasted a
drop in over twenty years, except In
case of sickness.
But am in no wise opposed to the
moderate use of liquor. l am in IA
vor of high license, and the we'll reg
ulated saloon. But what interests me
more than any other side of this
question is the subject of taxation. l
am property owner In small way
and during my long residence in
Paris | have seen taxation increased
year by year, slowly, gradually, but
sure, until it has become burden
to the man with ordinary means, and
a positive hardship to the poor. l am
opposed to oppressive taxation IN all
its forms.
I am informed that the city OF Paris
and County of Bourbon together de-
rive over twenty thousand dollars
from the licensed liquor traffic. The
total taxes which the Government de-
rives from the State of Kentucky for
the manufacture and sale OF liquor is
an enormous sum.
The President has called for an inn
mediate raise of $100,000,O00 in rev.
enue, and it has been suggested by
the Ways and Means Committee IN
charge of the bill 20 place a heavy
tax on liquor.
! If this is done and liquor is voted
out of the State, then who can fortell
hut that land tax will be assessed
for the up-keep of the government.
This great amount of money has got
to be raised, and il whisky is voted
Tout of the various States, something
else will have to be taxed to meet
the deficiency. This is not time
for experiment, but time for serious
and conservative thought.
| If YOUR taxes are to be increased,
or the assessed tax valuation OF your
property increased, with all kinds Oh
| foodstuff going higher and higher
each day, how can the already tax
burdened man meet his necessary
| obligations?
Upon whose shoulders will that
/ burden of. taxation fall? Does it fall
upon the shoulders of the employed
~"foreign' speaker who comes and
| tells YOU how to vote? No. He is
here to-day and gone tomorrow. The
| fax indebtedness will have to1be met
and paid by YOU, the home taxpayer.
We sound this note of serious warn
! ing for your careful consideration.
Will you heed the advice? AS it is
to-day things are bad enough, and
sometimes it is hard to make both
| ends meet" Don't by your vote on
election day make them worse.
/ thank you Mr.. Editor for your
| kind consideration
Respectfully,
A BOURBON COUNTY KENTUCK-
IAN.