The Jasper weekly courier., 1918-07-05

But those who are against our pres
ent tax law cannot be heard to object
to it on the ground it is difficult to en-
force uniformity and equality under it,
since they do not want this uniformity
and equality in taxation under any
law. The thing they are seeking is to
be given a free hand to classify prop
erty, so that one class of property may
be taxed higher and another class
taxed low. Such a scheme would en-
able property-holders, able to support
a lobby or have pull, TO shift bur-
dens they should bear on to those not
able to cope with them, for
special favors.
The people have not forgotten the
long drawn out and bitter wrangle in
the last legislature over the attempt
to frame a new scheme of taxation.
Their opposition to it has continued
to grow in strength, and to fight this
new scheme off as long as possible,
they opposed with all the influence
they could muster the calling of a
special session of the legislature. Is
there any one so dumb that he does
not understand why the legislature
has not been convened in special ses-
sion?
In view of the Importance of this
subject and the aroused feeling
thereon, | submit that the declaration
in the Republican platform that,
"The evils in our present tax
system can only be corrected by
complete revision of our tax
laws"
will not have the approval of the peo-
pie. 1t is too Indefinite. If it is meant
that this proposed revision should in
clude an excise tax law, candor re-
luired the admission to have been
made in the platform. This indefi-
liteness on this all important question
should defeat the Republican party.
Clerk of Supreme Court.
In committing their party to the
proposition that The selection of both
constitutional and statutory State
officers shall be withdrawn from the
people, the bosses, in charge of the
Republican convention, forgot the in
slstent and persistent demand, which
broadened the Democratic character
OF our government and gave the peo-
pie the power to elect their United
States senators. In proposing TO make
OF the State officers a personal and
political despotism, under the control
OF the Governor, not necessarily the
present Chief Executive, but any
Governor, these bosses haveA failed to
remember the exclusive dictation anc
domination which brought their party
to such ignominious disaster ins1912
when the people are making Ssucf
tremendous sacrifices that denocr: CIV
nat is, government of the people, fol
ne people and by the people, shall\bt
made safe throughout the world. the
proposal to make of the government
OF our beloved State personal o,
political machine, is iIl-timed and i'll.
advised. The security of free govern.
ment rests in the people, not in 20.
litical bosses.
The office of Clerk of the Supreme
Court is of constitutional creation anc
the efficiency with which it has beer
nlled Justifies a continuation of the
constitutional method of filling it. The
proposal to make This officer appoint.
I'VE by the Judges of the Supreme
Court, wholly ignores the heretofore
universally accepted principle that
such judges shoull be separated a:
widely as possible from participation
In practical or partisan politics anC
VIII make of the Supreme Court 4
political CAUCUS.
tribunal, organized to administer
justice, must hear the whispers Of tn,
humblest petitioner, but remain deai
to the thunders of partisanism.
The Attorney General.
The Office of Attorney General,wa,
created by an Act of the GeneralsAs
5embly in 1855 and made elective b,
he voters of the State. The Rcouo
.ican party Is now proposing to den,
The people the right TO choose thi.
official and to give the Governor Tn,
power TO appoint him. The Attornc,
General is one of the most impoitan
officials of the State. lie is the law
interpreter for the public. When h,
comes TO construe the laws of tn,
State ten-year-old child fightinl
potato bugs is as big in his eye as il
the Governor of the State. But i
you give the Governor the power I,
appoint him, you are likely to plac,
the private citizen at disadvantag,
in a legal controversy with, the Chic
Executive. The Attorney General i
expected TO be n check upon the exc
cutive the same as he is upon thel pri
vate citizen. 1t is true the Attorne'
Generals Office is created by statute
but this statute has been acquiesced i
and approved by all the people of al
political parties for more than sixt,
years and it has thereby come {
have, in effect, the sanctity and prac
teal force of a constitutional man
date. 1t has been endorsed by sue
eminent governors and lawyers a
Norton, baker and Hendricks. and tn
political party that would seek I
make o personal asset or a politica
football OF this great office ought I
be repudiated by the people.
Humor.
We cannot Of course consider all th
planks of the platform to which W