Mohave County miner., 1914-10-24

A DEMOCRATIC CONSTITUTION.
With peculiar qualification we renew
our allegiance to the principles enuncia-
ted in Arizona's constitution, that
character of political freedom with the
Democratic party, with the approval
and aid Of the great body of independ-
ent, patriotic citizens, brought forth
against the bitter protest and deter
mined opposition Of the Republican
party's machine, the members of which
now divided into rival political camps,
are today vieing with each other in
posing as the champions of those
modern, progressive features already
established by the Democratic party in
Arizona.
Credit is dine to the Democratic party
for the machinery whereby he people
may determine for themselves those
great non-political questions which are
now agitating the public mind.
CORPORATION COMMISSION.
We point with particular pride to the
effective work of the corporation COM
mission, which has equitably admins
tered impartial justice between the
utilities and the people of the state of
Arizona. We call attention to the fact
that through the efforts of this COM
mission there has been a marked
| poporol rod,ofiop of fro;obf rotoo
throughout the state and a decrease in
rates and an improvement in service in
all cases where the commission has in
vestigated the rates and service of gas,
water and electric utilities.
A GOVERNMENT OF HAPPINESS.
The Democratic party of Arizona
stands first of all for the rights hap
piness, prosperity and contentment of
the people, which is the fundamental
purpose and highest aim of republi-
can form of government. With this
end in view it favors and pledges its
nominees, executive and legislative, to
the most rigid economy consistent with
efficiency and the honest, far-seeing
service of the public and of the state.
EQUALIZATION OF TAXATIoN's BURDEN.
In order that the inevitable burdens
of government may be equally and
equitably distributed, the continuation
and development of the splendid work
of the state tax commission, operating
under excellent revenue laws enacted
by Democratic legislature, is promis-
ed by the Democratic party in the
event of the election of Democratic Of
ficials. That this pledge is not empty
is evidenced by what has already been
accomplished in the reform of our
revenue laws and the shifting of the
burdens of taxation.
Whereas prior to the present adj
ministration the great mining interests
and railroads bore but 40 per cent of
the burden of taxation in Arizona,
while other classes of property, less
able, bore 60 per cent in two years the
situation has been reversed and the
great producing mines and railroads are
required to pay 60 per cent of the cost
of government and the maintenance of
the states educational institutions.
Thus has the unavoidable increase in
the cost of maintaining a state, rather
than territorial government and Of
keeping pace with rapid increase of
population and the growing demand for
educational advantages been placed
upon great aggregations of wealth,
while the burdens of the small tax pay
ers have been reduced.
AS an aid to the further equalization
of taxation we favor the payment of
adequate salaries and the allowance of
proper expense accounts to the various
county assessors the state, in order
that all property may be placed upon
the assessment rolls and its value ac-
curately fixed. Especially is it neces-
sary that the lands included within
railroad and other great grants be
carefully classified and assessed at
their actual value, in lieu of the I'M
scientific system Of estimating, which
is in some instances rendered unavoid-
able by the lack of funds-t. system
which invariably works to the unfair
and undeserved advantage of the large