The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1920-10-29
s44,0OO,0OO TAX
JUMP HITS STATE
Public, Resentfui Of Unwarranted In
crease, Holds Governor Goodrich
and Warren T. MeCray Re-
sponsibIe for Law.
DEMOCRATIC VICTORY is SEEN


taxes amounting to more than $44.-
000, 900 In two years is the price the
people OF Indiana will pay for what
Governor Goodrich said was "the best
the dominant issue In the state cam.
paign Is the tax law.
Republicans, aside from Governor
Goodrich and Warren T. McCray, the
Republican gubernatorial nominee.
are saying little IL anything in de-
tense of the measure, while the
Democrats are assaulting IL vigorous
~. promising TO repeal II and to place
in its stead law based on the eQuit-
able distribution of taxation, restora-
ton OF Home-Rule to local communi-
ties and decentralization Of power.
Increase Is Staggering.
The increase In taxation is stagger-
ing and is being keenly felt by every
taxpayer. In 1919, the first year OF
the Goodrich law, the total amount
levied jumped from 1857 ,2O8.60 col
to $7o,615,74769 Although all figures
are not available it is estimated that
next year the amount to be collected
will reach S112,S05, SS4.19, or an In
crease OF $44,438, $3.50.
1t is proving exceedingly dihicult
for Republican orators to explain how
the valuation and rate has been in
creased at the same time and as far
AS possible they are steering clear Of
taxation
Governor Goodrich. however. made
his administration the issue when In
an address at Muncie he declared
that the Republican party In Indiana
must rise or fall on his record. Mr..
McCray Immediately began to defend
the tar law and the State Highway
Commission. which has been charged
with wasting over three-Quarters Of
a million dollars on badly placed con-
tracts, and has literally staked his
campaign on the popularity or un-
popularity Of the Goodrich regime.
Offers No Remedy.
Mr.. McCray has offered in none OF
his speeches anything a q construc-
tive nature but has repeatedly de-
Tended the patched-up tax law, which
he had a hand in framing during the
special session.
II Mr.. McCray could have kept his
fingers clear from the special session
he probably would not be In such
difficult straits as he now finds
himself He was instrumental, how.
ever, in having the legislature legal
lie" the already unpopular horizontal
increases which had been declared
invalid by the supreme court. and az
q result he finds his name linked with
Goodrich on the amended tax laws.
His participation In legislative af-
fairs and his defense OF the result has
irrevocably connected him with the
Goodrich administration and there is
nothing left for him but to ride on tho
record made by the present governor.
With resentment against the tax
law apparent everywhere the Demo
cratic appeal for repeal OF the meas
ure Is gaining terrific momentum.
Persons docking for relief from what
they Justly believe to be an unfair
law have looked In vain to the Re-
publicans and as result they are
docking to the support OF DR.. Garlic
ton b. McCulloch. Democratic nomi-
nee for governor, who has attacked
the statute from top to bottom and
who wants 1t wiped of the slate.
Law to DO Repealed.
Dr. McCulloch has pledged his
party to repeal the law and to place
in It's stead one based on justice. The
Democratic candidates for the state
legislature have followed the plat
form declaration and a popular re-
spouse has met their declarations.
Indications in all parts OF the state.
with the election only few days of.
point convincingly to the fact that
the people will roll up tremendous
protest vote against the Goodrich ad-
ministration which includes Mr.. Nc
Cray, and that they will register their
faith in DR.. McCulloch and the legis-
lators who are pledged to enact into
laws the things the public fe06s 10
necessary for ite own welfara