El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-08-04

the people of this state that we would
enact laws for the equalization OF
taxes in our state: and that we coun-
terfeited our promises in their fulfill
ment BY the passage OF two measures.
One was the socalled Bursum bill. SO
weak. Inadequate and lily conceived
that it has been practically impossible
to give effect 10 its presumed prOvis-
ions with the result that there are
undoubtedly millions of dollars worth
OF real and personal property in this
state still escaping taxation.
Mine Tax Smnu.
The other. the socalled Hawkins bill
for the taxation of mines. is so wicked
and unfair in its provisions that il seq
regateS the producing mines or our
state from all other forms of property.
practically eXempting them from valu-
alton tax. on which basis our farms. our
flocks, our homes and our merchandise
are taxed. and taxing only their in
comes: with the result, as nearly as I
can estimate. that at least 500, 100000
worth Of property of this class actu-
ally escapes taxation in this state.
Now, what are We going 10 do about
it IN 1911. the Progressive league
Joined with the Democrats. helping to
elect a Democratic governor. and GER
tain Democratic officials and securing
recognition to themselves through the
election only OF a member OF the su-
prene court of our state In matters
cial matters Z constant deadlock be
tween the governor. on one hand. and
a Republican legislature upon the
other. Your few Progressive members !
Of the legislature were absolutely pow
crless. You did not accomplish one /
single tangible thing. Repeating the (
program this year. YOU can not hope to I,
accomplish any more You might pos I
sibly succeed in defeating a few Re /.
publican candidates. but that is only a I
ne Il 2 hrfn b
tive results.
The Progressive Vote. I
We cannot tell how many votes the !
PrOgressilves Influenced in 1911. IN /
1912 they cast in round numbers 5000 I
votes for Roosevelt for president and !
5000 votes for Marcus c. de Baca for 1
congressman. The tangible result was 4
that they helped in the defeat OF Taft (
and made possible the election OF Fer /
guson over Nathan Jaffa.
Now. let US consider 1915. IN my
Judgment there will be very close TO
$4,000 votes cast in this election. II
there are two tickets in the field. il !
viii require $4,000 TO elect-20O0 more
votes than were cast for Mcdonald in /
1911 and 5000 more votes than were
cast for Bursum at that time. II the
ProgreSsives can hold 5000 Of their
people to an independent ticket. II will |
only take 10000 70 elect. 1000 less than (
Mcdonald received N 1911 and 1000
conceivablv possible that the Progress
sives could take all 5000 10 the support
of a Democratic ticket through a com
with them The conclusion is
that either an independent ticket Or a
combination with the Democrats only F
tends to increase the probability Of
Democratic success II makes abso-
utely certain the deadlock that has eE-
Sted during the past five years aCainsr
any truly progressive legisla tion-not
c no
sense but in its ordinary acceptance
Join the Republicans
Now. suppose the ProSressives follow
NJ suggestion and that there are 5000 {
Z them This number Of people scat
cred through these counties advocat-
ng good things. standing for good
nen. insisting on the performance OF
latform pledges and clamOrinE for
othing except the very things which {
he Republican party has given 10 peo-
lie Of state after state in our union. all 4
ending toward cleaner politics and
etter government and more equal tax
ton; I say II they do these things.
hese 5000 voters viii constitute a very
3rge part of the really controlling ele-
nent in our public affairs. They can !
revent the continuation Of county
through the denomination
ear after year Of the same old crowd
hey can send clean men TO the leEis-
ature who are not only clean in char
Ger. DlL experienced III leg lSldIrOn
nd clear in their conceptions Of the
ublic needs.
It is an almost impossible thing 10
AIRY an Independent ticket to q sue
essful issue il IS an absolutely I'M
ossible thing TO combine with the
Democrats and give 10 them control Of
he state legislative as well as the ex- I
cutive department so that the Pro- {
resSives can hope 20 get remedial leg y
Station The changes are not one in d
600 Of such ? result But fl is not an g
impossible thing that the 5000 earnest d
men devoted to the principles of party %
Olitics. rather than giving themselves y
yer 10 the cheap and Ineffective ends j.
Z personal politics. may make them ;
elves felt in the councils Of \ great n
arty already organized. with 81 years v
+ triumphant history and splendid pre- u
edent behind II a
same Condition Exists. ].
This is what 7 urged upon the rank
nd file of the Progressive party two =
ears 20 and l urge the same thing /
pom them this year There is moth
X wrong with the Republican patrv
r the principles which il espouses
he fault is in ms who fail IN the ouier 8.
avs between elections to promulcate 81
VT faith and TO attend TO our organ o
;ation with the same degree Of fidelity Is
nd OF skill that the interests use