The people's voice., 1958-09-19
Montana Republican Party Platform 1858
PREAMBLE

PREAMBLE
The Republican Party in Montana proclaims
herein its program. 1t offers this program for
the consideration of all the people of Montana
We Believe:
The American system of free enterprise has
proven historically to be the best way to give
each and every American the opportunity to
improve his economic wel-being and living
standards without limiting or destroying hu-
man liberty;
Government should be of laws rather than
men;
Law must be intended to regulate impair
TALLY and justly, and not used to regiment
or restrict human liberty and individual rights;
The dignity and worth of the individual is
our greatest resource; therefore, we oppose
any philosophy which subordinates individual
rights to the state;
In sound, conservative government, and
the orderly administration of government at
all levels;
Conservatism is orderly progress in the
attainment of economic and social needs of
the people, without destroying or limiting
individual freedom and integrity.
STATE GOVERNMENT POLICIES
EFFICIENCY AND TAXES
We believe in the Republican tradition of
a sound and efficient government. We be-
lieve that members of the Legislature should
refuse to vote for appropriations for which
revenue is provided.
The 1857 Democrat-Party- dominated Leg
isature was the worst in the history of Mon
tana. 1t increased the tax burden on Montana
citizens and Montana industry by approx
IL
vaing in the previous two years. Such tre-
mendous and unjustified tax increase can
lead only to stifling industrial prograss and
personal initiative
We believe that expenditures in State Gov
ernment must be scutinized more closely than
before Spending be cut. A specific
example of this is the present administrators
Board of Equalization which has, by economy
and efficiency in operation, reduced its ex-
penditures by approximately 1919. The time
has come to take similar steps in all of our
offices, boards, bureaus and commissions in
Montana Government.
We believe that income taxes should be
paid by nonresident corporations and indi-
viduals on income arising from sources within
Montana. We contend that income taxes
should also be paid by cooperative associa-
tions doing business substantially in the man.
ner of corporations. REA's and RTA's which
do business only with bona fide members are
in a different category, but co-ops competing
for the business of the general public should
not be exempt from income tax If they make
a profit, they should pay an income tax.
We pledge ourselves to concentrate our
efforts in the next Legislature to see that
sound economy program is carried out, to
eliminate or reduce government expenditures
to level within existing income and to col
lect taxes from all individuals and associa-
tions that not paying taxes.
AS soon as a reduction in government
penditures permit, or the broadening of the
tax base allows, property taxes should be
eliminated as a source of tax revenue for
the support of state government and limited
for the support of counties, cities and school
districts.
We of the Republican Party are unalterably
opposed to the graduated land tax which is
supported by the Farmers Union. We
denim the members of the Democratic Party
who Introduced such bill in state Leg
We feel that any such tax proposal
is not a revenue measure 1t is socialistic
scheme attempting to make it impossible to
own more than a few acres We are opposed
to any such attempts to break down the pri-
vate ownership of our farms.
We criticize the action of the 1857 Demo-
Legislative Assembly in re-
ducing the individual personal income tax
exemption from $1,00OOO to 100000.
We further condemn said Legislative As
sembly which markedly increased the per-
sonal income tax rate in the State of Mon
tana to raise funds for excessive appropria-