Licking Valley courier. [volume] (West Liberty, Ky.) 19??-current, 1917-02-01
GUMPTION, ~H~
Which is plain Common Sense, in United States
language, without Educational Furbelows.
BY l.. II. .HOVERMALE.
Will Someone Enlighten Us?
S!aIII. - -

Will Someone Enlighten Us?
Some time since amendment to the State Consttu-
on was adopted permitting the classification of property
the purpose of taxation At the last session of the
General Assembly Tax Commission was created to draft
bill to meet the needs of the tax situation. That COM
mission has prepared for had prepared for D tax BILL
And comes the Kentucky Tax League and is flooding
the country with literature and the newspapers with free
plate in an attempt to create popular demand for
ira session of the Legislature to adopt the tax measure
prepared by, or for the Tax Commission.
Who or what is this Tax League that is spending so
much money in the effort have this particular measure
made law? What character of property is the League
anxious to protect? If we knew who were the members
OF this league and in what character of property they
interested might discover the reason for their fren
to have this particular bill become law by the special
session method.
have studied the proposed law carefully and impair
TALLY. may be obtuse but all that can see in it hor
zonta reduction of the tax rate from 55 to 40 cents on
the hundred dollars This would be good if the State rev.
enue receipts equaed legitimate expenditures and there
was not three-milon dollar debt to be paid
1t is also reasonable to suppose that all thinking Ken
tuckians will object having so vital question as the
taxation system passed upon by the same body of men
who acknowledged their incompetence by refusing to
slider the matter last winter
4 There IS 'nigger in the woodple" somewhere it,
is hardly probable that all this frenzied agitation for
Special session of the Legislature with its tremendous
kpst at time when the State is groaning with debt is
prompted by phianthropc motives And especially when
the proposed measure is to say the least questionable in
its promise of relief The farmer the burden-bearer in
the support of the State and instead of relieving him the
proposed measure seemingly adds to his burdens.
Let's smoke the members of the Tax League out of
their holes and see who they Let's find out the kind
of property in which they have their money invested
If they chiefly interested in stocks and bonds in
railroads and public service corporations in the dsti
ling and brewing concerns will know where to look
for the elusive joker in the measure Frankly am sus
pcous of anything daddied by the present State admins
tation, and hope that crisis will that will make
remotely necessary to reconvene that body of ncompe
tents known as our present General Assembly.
Kentucky is indeed in pitiable condition. She is a
ship adrft upon the ocean of time without competent
hand to guide her. Bueted and tossed by the conflicting
waves the only cargo she takes aboard debt debt debt
The reef of bankruptcy looms up ahead and still the Cap
tain hold his course The whiskey would wreck the
ship rather than surrender control The hope for the
State the Legislature that we elect in November That
body of men should be patriots Kentucky needs the SER
vices of her patriots than at any time in her history
The elect must have brains in addition to patriot
ism. The financial and moral welfare of the State is at
stake and those who members of the next Genera
Assembly determined to faithfully and nteigenty serve
the people may expect no aid from the administration
There has not been competent business adminstra-
tion in Kentucky since Beckhams The new Capitol is
monument to the fidelity with which he served the people,
1t fixed mmovabe it is not susceptible of being barter
ed or disposed Of or would have gone the way of that
magnificent surplus that he left in the treasury What
pity, what misfortune for the people of Kentucky that
the offices OF United States Senator and Governor are in
compatible. Senator Beckham could manage Kentuckys
business in the nermssons of Congress- better than it
has been managed since he was Governor
But in this neck of the woods we are asking for in
formation. Who are the members of the State Tax
League, and with whom are they in league? Why the
need of special session? How will Is cent reduction
of the tax rate enable the State to pay off it's big debt
Why does Stanley think it necessary to muzze the egsa
tors and exact pledge from them not to talk about any
thing but this tax measure? Who of the present Legsa
ture really cares what the common people need or want
These are the questions that are passing from lip tt
dip II the ranks of the voters The Common People arr
Ngro%ng exceedingly weary of being the goat in the gam
of pShcs The people get referendum on any tax Law
thatmay be passed. and will doubtless veto any tax Ian
that not just and equitable and to go to the expense
an extra session under the circumstances seems folly.
Who the members of the State Tax League?