Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1916-01-14

to the democratic party. One is the
great demand for war supplies from
nations engaged in the most gigantic
and terrible war the world has ever
known. The other is the silver lin
ing jim the clouds of depression that
financiers see by reason of their be-
lief that the next election will re-
suit in a republican victory and a
restoration of confidence and return
of prosperity. This is not boast
ing statement-you hear it from the
men who travel much, in commercial
centers, everywhere.
That republican policies are the
best for Idaho is fact that has been
demonstrated every time it has been
tried out, and Idahoans will be glad
to get back to a sound basis, which
will especially be needed when the
war is over and there is no unnatural
stimulus to business-no more war
orders.
In state affairs, democratic pro-
misses have not been fulfilled. The
tax situation has not been improved.
The burden is greater in many coun-
ties than it was in 1914. In 1915
there was no material relief any
where while there were many in
creases in many localities. The dem
ocrats are boasting that they made
a reduction in state taxes in one
county to the extent of 14.8 per cent,
but as that county pays only So or
SO out of every 500 collected for
state and county purposes to the
state, this alleged saving amounts
to only $3.50, and the taxpayer who
owed 500 in taxes, still owes $98.50
The saving would hardly be noticed
and is certainly not of sufficient
amount to boast over. On the other
hand the sum total that the tax
payer is required to pay in taxes
in the county used as an illustra-
ton has materially increased. The
trouble with the democrats is that
they have not grasped the tax prob
lem and therefore they are unable
to solve it. In the campaign for 1914
they discussed taxes merely for cam
paign purposes, without any defined
policies in mind for improvement, but
with prolific promises of what they
would do if they were successful, and
now they must reap the whirlwind
of wrath that follows a record of
broken promises.
The democrats will lay great stress
upon their alleged reduction of state
expenses but their claims will not
bear investigation. Some vetoes were
good, some injudicious and some IL
legal. 1t is fair to presume that the
good vetoes would have been made by
most any governor. The injudicious
will react against the democrats and
the illegal will reduce the alleged
saving to the extent that the courts
may determine. The reduction in
the expense of our state educational
institutions should be credited to the
state board of education. one of those
useless" commissions that we heard
so much about in the last campaign
By proper system and good manage
ment this board has effected a re-
duction of expenses in that depart
ment. The creation of the state
board of education was a republican
measure.
The democrats have not sustained
their outrageous charges made in tn,
last campaign nor fulfilled theil
] promises to the people. Under sucl
circumstances it would be a fai
guess that another campaign of bun
combe would not be successful. Thei
party stands discredited beyond re
, demption.
The republican party approache
the 1916 contest with we'll grounds
E confidence. Perhaps this account
for the fact that so many strong me
in the party are ambitious to hea
the ticket.
e Alexander Yesterday and Today
n When Moses Alexander was run
/ ming for governor he made it plai
o to a sufficient number of people tina
= the only way to reduce taxes wa
= to have the right kind of man i
e the executive chair-that is, made
e plain to a sufficient number Of pee
Il pie to elect himself governor. Wei
e it worked anyway and Alexander wa
/ elected governor, but taxes were nc
# reduced; in fact, are higher tina
e ever in many counties, and the ur
abashed governor comes out with tn
l. statement that county officers, tow
# officers and school trustees are re
Il sponsible for high taxes, from whic
IS we are to infer that the governc
E. does not have much to do with it a,
It ter all, but here is what Alexandt
al said about it in more than one {
his campaign speeches:
n "Now what is the matter with OF