The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1914-02-06

lions, burdensome taxation and un-
democratic methods.
81 stand for the fullest measure of
home rule upon this and all other
questions. The people most vitality
affected by any problem are best
qualified to work out solution.
Questions affecting the entire state
should be handled by the state; while
the smaller units should deal with all
questions local to them.
"In the utility field two important
steps were taken by the last legisla-
ture in the passage of the Minnette
and Nolan bills, by overwhelming ma
jorities. Had not the Governor We
toed these bills and used Tammany
methods to prevent their repassage,
we would now have physical connec-
ton Of telephones, and the principle
of local control Of utility rates would
be established.
"In the last campaign urged the es-
tablishment of a bureau of experts
to be at the service of state depart
ments and municipalities, in making
Investigations and collecting data up
on which to base action in the solu-
ton Of all problems of government.
l urge such bureau now.
Enlargement of powers Of municip-
alities rather than curtailment is the
need. Legislation making clearer
the main features of utility regulation
valuation, charges and profts-is
the essential. Given this, and &C.
cess to reliable information, and the
municipalities will work out their
own problems better than a state
commission can do it for them, and
citizenship will be conserved.
"All the evils of machine admins
tration from which our state is suf-
fering is direct charge upon the
productive energy of the people, ano
must ultimately discourage initiative
and handicap industry. Bad govern.
ment begets taxation. To allay
the protests Of the people agains1
extravaganza, fertile minds have de-
vised every conceivable method Of in
direct and special taxation, bringing
into the state treasury millions O.
dollars annually. Even so, the in
satiable demand of the machine TO!
place, power and pelf have compelled
an annual increase of the general ia,
levy out of all proportion to the in
crease in value of taxable property O.
to the increase in population.
eff the affairs Of the state were ad
ministered as a pure business enter
prise, they could be conducted upo
the income from special taxes alread
e provided, and the general tax lev
could be dispensed with. Incompet
= ency and ineficiency extract their an
t nual toll in tax collections.
n "The responsibility for government
S al conditions rests equally upon tn
: legislative and executive depart
I ments of the state. The last legis
: lature recognized it's responsibility
S in marked degree. Such a legisls
|, ture and a governor working in hal
f mony can regenerate the state.
Il "The state cannot live by take
il alone" but of the disinterested co-opt
= rations and service of it's citizens. VIII
If not eliminate "bossism," brewery an
special interest domination? Why NJ
n reorganize, and re-establish integrit
J. and efficiency in government?
l. 'The thoughtful citizen wants thi
# I believe I can render assistance {
! value in the solution of the problem
It For this reason I announce my cal
s didacy for the Office of governor.
= WIN. E. LEE.