Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1915-12-23
PORK BARREL POLITICS

phlBu Chpithi hBhiubt OONoTuOE up
per on the tax question. They ar,
blaming him for the increased taxes
Evidently they are laboring under
the hallucination that the people
have forgotten that valiant fight
waged by the governor against pork
barrel methods in the last legis.
lature, and his subsequent action in
vetoing numerous appropriation
bills-all q part of the pork bar
rel. The Democrats no doubt want
to forget 1t, and they are. trying to
make themselves believe they have
done so. We don't blame them for
1t. But II they think the people
have forgotten 1t. they are sadly
mistaken. The taxpayers could not
forget such a memorable fight in
the short space Of year, II they
wanted to; and most assuredly they
don't want to. They know who the
promoters of the pork barrel"
were, and their determination to
register their feelings in the matter
BODIES no good for the Democrats
at the next election.
The Hutchinson Gazette, which
seems to assume the role of spokes-
man for the Democrats in the
state, recently attacked Governor
Capper for increasing state taxes,
claiming that he had violated his
campaign promises. In the first
place, the governor did not promise
to reduce taxes. The Democrats are
challenged to produce a single SEN
tence, written or spoken by the gov
ernor during the last campaign,
promising to reduce taxes. But Gov
ernor Capper did promise that he
would see that the states money
was expended in an economical way
md that he would do his utmost to
zee that the states business was
'un in the same careful manner
hat he employed In the manage
nent of his, own private business.
And he is keeping that promise to
he very letter. much to the dis
omfort Of the Democratic politi-
ians of the state. og /
Evidently assuming that the peo-
lie have really forgotten Governor
'apper's determined stand against
he pork-barrel brigade last win
Dr., the Gazette now comes out in
trident tones proclaiming that
late and county taxes of all kinds ,
Reno county this year are $685.
90 higher than last year. Accord
lg to its own figures. however,
$4,000 of this increase must be
'tributed to the county and only !
5000 to the state. Governor Cap 9
,r is blamed for the increase. But
criticism 10 lodged against the
'unty officials, who are RESPONSE
9 for $4,000 Of the $4,000 in
ease. In
Even If the governor were re- q
onsible for the increase Of taxes, h
hich he is not, 1t comes with poor {
ace for the Hutchinson Gazette to u
iticise him for 1t. s
When the governor, with his back q
the wall, was fighting with all t
might last winter to thwart the @
tempt Of the "pork-barrel' crowd 8
raid the treasury, where was the c
hutchinson Gazette?
Why. it was lined up, with its :
(, at the pork barrel, of course,
hacking its chops like a hungry 3
q at 'possum roast.
Who viciously denounced the 9
vernon at that time for being {
tingy and parsimonious" because
his efforts to keep down taxesH :
The Hutchinson Gazette.
Where would state taxes be today :
the Hutchinson Gazette and its
pork-barrel contingent g
d had their way? .
Nearly $4,000. 900 higher. +
The Capper administration will g
fortunate II the Democrats do q
Ike state taxes an issue in the 3
It campaign for the people stiIl
member the memorable struggle \
the legislature last winter. Not 3
y do they recall It, but they are &
king about It these days as they &
their taxes. The Democrats =
yht not to be "pikers." They s
'uld defend their own action In g
reasing state taxes; they should q
they are glad Of II and insist
fha4r onffra ,v.e-... ..-s-IO