The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1914-08-27
Democratic Worries

easy lies the head of the political
party that is in power Just wheu
the Democrats were consoling them
selves with the thought that the
European war would cover all the
evils of business depression, result
ing from tariff changes, along comes
the problem of war taxes With tax
es invariably comes unpopularity.
The worries incident to the draft
ing of suitable and responsive mea-
sure are second only to those con-
corning the political effect of such
legislation. In Georgia, as in many
other states, the Democrats are get
ting disagreeable taste of what is
apt to happen to members of Con-
gress who voted for the canal exemp-
ton repeal, and where the fight is
with the Republicans it goes without
saying that every unpopular act of
the Democrats will be seized upon
and magnified.
No wonder the Democratic leaders
are reluctant to attempt legislation
locking to additional taxation until
after the November elections are
over 1t is admitted pretty generally
that the party will find itself on the
defensive in the coming campaign,
and there is no telling how the aver
age voter will regard new taxation
burdens under the present circum-
stances.
If it is proposed to tax articles
under bond in warehouses, such as
liquors and tobacco, Democrats real
ize that the legislation must go
through both houses promptly, or
much of the taxable property will be
withdrawn from bond by those who
desire to evade the heavy payments.
Yet, the political possibilities are
such that it is doubtful whether the
Democratic leaders will risk action
at the present time. They would
be less than human if they did not
calculate the effect on the public
mind. The party is compelled to go
before the people and say that al.
though the European war has not
touched American shores, neverthe-
less $1OO,000,00O must be raised for
diminishing treasury.
A method may be devised to ap
ply the tax to those best able to beal
it, and also to class that will not
be able to do much damage to the
Democratic party in the campaign.
That would be the idea of an add
ton to the income tax. Mr.. MUIR
dock has already asked for informa-
ton as to the number of persons paw
ing taxes on incomes from $3.50, 900
to 100000 and above, in order
that the House may have informa
ton upon which to consider an in.
heritance tax. Evidently this is in
tended as another method of dodg-
ing the wrath of the average voter.
but inasmuch as burdens are usually
divided and passed around the people
may look askance at such legislative
remedies, purporting to hit only the
minority.
Trusts Idaho People For Square Deal
Your correspondent requested Sena-
tor Brady to make a statement rela-
tive to the coming primary to be held
September first, and in response he
said:
Il, of course, regret exceedingly
my inability to meet my constituents
before the primary election. Never
theless, feel that it is my duty to
Iemain here and attend to the duties
entrusted to me by the people of
Idaho l have been here in attend
ance on the Senate for over eight
cen months. This has been the long
est continuous session since 1868,
and, OF course, l realize that / am
at greater disadvantage than those
candidates who are on the ground,
but know that the people of Idaho
believe in fair play and that they
will give due consideration to these
conditions and see to it that my in
terests are protected. The great
number of letters that l am receiv-
ing from every section of the state,
giving me assurances of support and
commencing my course in remaining
at my post Of duty, convinces me
that my friends will see to it that
receive an endorsement at the polls
on next Tuesday,"
roteetion For Carey Act Settlers
M The Carey Act enacted in 1894,
eovided that II the land ia not re-
@{e1med within ten years it shall be
xeetored to the public domain. The
lers on these projects who have