The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-08-17
SAVE CONSTITUTIONAL
RIGHTS BY DEFEATING
CHANGES, URGES BUSH

The necessity Of preserving the con-
stitutional rights of the people against
inroads was stressed by ex-Lieutenant
Governor Z. d. Bush. in the high
school auditorium Tuesday night. IL
was his second address here yesterday
on the proposed amendments to the
basic law of the state.
Some of the amendments reflect
disposition of the executive branch to
usurp certain functions" he said,
that properly belong to the legisla-
tive branch and to disregard the con-
stitutional restraints that are placed
on the legislative branch by the con-
stitution. The present constitution
provides for fair. just and proportion
ate taxation, but amendment ten pro-
poses that the legislature should pro-
vide methods of taxation, thereby re-
moving all constitutional restraints.
Consequently, the executive or any
outside force seeking to control legis-
lation, or that has a selfish purpose
in the proposed taxation scheme, can.
II the amendment is passed. take ad-
vantage of the law to further their
own interests.
Lose Power, Claim.
The amendment TO appoint the
state superintendent of public instruc-
ton is another method whereby power
will be taken from the people who
now elect him and concentrate it in
the hands of certain interests. Amend
ment three is Objectionable because
the constitution provides basis for
the apportionment of the senate and
house. This amendment again re-
moves the constitutional limitation
from the people and vests it in the
legislature.
Constitutions are basic laws made
for the purpose of preventing inroads
on personal liberty. Instead of remov-
ing the restrictions in our constitution
and in the most important branch OF
the government. the legislature, we
should retain them. The greatest dan
ger lurking in a constitutional conven-
tion, in the face of the present radical
ism. would be the breaking down of
the protective barriers now in the
state constitution.
Voices Objection.
Amendment 10 is Objectionable; 1t
destroys the guarantee of fair and just
taxation and makes possible the so
cialistic principle of progressive taxa
ton. All leading socialistic writers
claim the way of transferring private
property into the hands of public and
quosi-public ownership is through
highly graduated income, inheritance
and excess profit taxes; or. in othei
words, if man has too much money
the way to get it into the hands of the
state is to tax it into the state.
Only One Remedy
"The real way to lower taxes is not
TO pass radical tax measures and MOI
to give the legislature unrestrained
taxing power, with no constitutional
restrictions. The remedy is on the
principle of the CONSTITUTIONAL mer
having property, no matter whether
real. personal, income or inheritance
should pay taxes in proportion to tho
property they possess, no more OF
less. 1t should not consist in throw
ing the legislature open to the Cd
prices and whims of interests thai
may happen to be in control, but il
passing laws that will assist in fail
and better administration of our pres
ent laws and in reduction of govern
mental expenses by reducing salarie:
and abolishing useless boards anc
commissions
IL is question whether many
offices created under the guise of so
called progressive legislation are no
mere Injuries. We must get to tn,
idea OF enjoying real necessities TO
while if we want to lower taxes, aut
you cannot reduce taxes until you d,
reduce them. Future legislatures in
stead of talking of lifting the burden
of taxes to lower the cost of govern
ment, should lower salaries and w;p,
out useless commissions and bureaus
The state tax board, for instance, in
creased valuations on personal pror
erty by $S9,000,00O, $39,0000 900 on rea
estate and lowered the valuation Oh
steam and electric railways $4,000
600. Taxes are high because of unjus
discrimination. Why were the valua
lions of the roads reduced? Has any
one explained the action of the stat