anaheim-gazette 1908-10-01

WHAT'S DOING IN POLITICS SENATE AMENDMENT NO. ONE AGAIN SHOWN UP How It Would Reduce the Assessment of Corporations in Los Angeles County—Railroads Would Pay Lower Taxes, and Poor People suffer Increased Burdens—Increase in Salaries of State Officials Gradually the infamies of Senate Amendment No. 1 are manifesting themselves to a discriminating public. In Los Angeles the other day Senator McCartney entered into a lengthy theoretical dissertation in support of the measure before a representative body of citizens. Senator McCartney is a man of ability, but his alignment with the railroad push was never more clearly illustrated than in his support of this iniquitous measure, which seeks to exempt railroads and other public-service corporations from their just burdens of taxation. County Assessor Hopkins of Los Angeles shows that that county will be loser, if the amendment carries, by millions. In a published reply to McCartney he says: "The Los Angeles gas and electric company paid to the county last year $58,816 in taxes. The city tax, exclusive of licenses, amounted approximately to the same, making the total tax paid to Los Angeles city and county $117,632." "The sworn statement of the gross changeable except by constitutional amendment. When we voted good-roads bonds it increases them on all the property here. But banks and the utility companies cape the payment of their shares this amendment carries. "The same is true of every imponent under a bond act. "There is a constitutional amendment proposed to raise the money moving the state capital to Bley. If this amendment carries people of every county in the will be assessed to pay the cost the new capitol building, but thety companies and banks will nothing. How do you think that strike the average voter?" It is not necessary to indulge in personal detraction of Mr. Bryan or other candidate in order to establish the superior fitness of W'William Taft for the presidential office. Taft naturally comes in most conscious contrast with William Jennie Bryan, the only other candidate can be considered as being in running." One may concede the bity of character and sincerity purpose of Mr. Bryan and yet be convinced that by temperament far less fitted for the preside office than Mr. Taft. It has been said that there has never a candidate for the presidency thoroughly equipped for that by reason of long training in socialship and large experience in public affairs than Mr. Taft. He is spicuously a man of achievement. When the nation needed a man bring order out of chaos in William H. Taft was the man loser, if the amendment carries; by millions. In a published reply to McCartney he says: "The Los Angeles gas and electric company paid to the county last year $58,816 in taxes. The city tax, exclusive of licenses, amounted approximately to the same, making the total tax paid to Los Angeles city and county $117,632. "The sworn statement of the gross earnings of this company, made by its auditor last January and filed with the city clerk, is $2,340,230.03. The 4 per cent on the gross earnings would produce a tax of $93,609.20. This makes a saving to that corporation of $24,023. This does not take into account the tax which this company pays to the other cities in Los Angeles county where it supplies gas, or the license fees which it pays in Los Angeles city and in other cities. The entire saving to the company must be between $30,000 and $40,000, and this must be made up by the other property owners in this city and county. "Now, take a telephone company. We will consider the Home company Its sworn statement of gross revenue is $729,126.81. Its tax at the 3½ per cent rate would be $25,519. Last year it paid to the county alone $24,115. To the city it pays as much and its licenses and other fees must bring its tax here to $58,000. This does not include the municipal taxes and licenses which it pays to the other cities in this county. Plainly the taxation of the company would be cut at least in half. "Take a railroad company. The Pacific electric railroad paid to Los Angeles county last year $116,031 in tax. It paid the city an equal sum, making its total tax to the county and to Los Angeles city $230,000. This does not take into account the city tax it pays in the municipalities of this county. The company's statement of gross revenue submitted to the city clerk by its auditor on July 15 of this year is $2,918,855.01. The 4 per cent rate would make its total tax for this county, including all the cities, $116,754.20. Including the car licenses and other fees, this company must have paid to this city and office than Mr. Taft. It has been said that there has never been a candidate for the presidency thoroughly equipped for that by reason of long training in suchmanship and large experience in public affairs than Mr. Taft. He is spicuously a man of achievement. When the nation needed a man bring order out of chaos in William H. Taft was the man sent there and he achieved resul When Panama was in turmoil important interests were involved Taft, the pacifier and the man of achievement, was again dispatched this mission and order was resumed in the Panama strip. When Japan was bristling up looking for trouble, William H. was sent upon a delicate diplomatic mission to the Orient. He w Japan and also the court of St. burg and the war talk in Japan sided. As a member of the presidential family and in every other pacity, by his equipoise, his thorough knowledge not only of the principles of political administration at home, but of internal law, William H. Taft has been able it to American statesmanship, every respect he has merited title of "a man of achievement. On the other hand, Mr. Bryan only been in public life during somewhat meteoric career in country and as a recurrent candidate for presidency. Outside of his platform and as a public speaker has made no conspicuous action. His career in journalism been largely a nominal one and has made some money and accl some publicity through the publication of books. Mr. Taft's career has been characterized by consistency of purpose steady adherence to fixed principle. Commenting upon the desire of defeating Senate Constitu and to Los Angeles city $230,000. This does not take into account the city tax it pays in the municipalities of this county. The company's statement of gross revenue submitted to the city clerk by its auditor on July 15 of this year is $2,918,855.01. The 4 per cent rate would make its total tax for this county, including all the cities, $116,754.20. Including the car licenses and other fees, this company must have paid to this city and county $250,000 last year. The other taxpayers in the county would have make up the difference between $116,000 and $250,000. "Now consider the banks. The banks of Los Angeles place the book value of their stock in their sworn statements to me at $25,378,103. The tax at the 1 per cent rate would be $25,378. But these banks paid to the county alone last year $50,000 in tax; and they paid as much to the city, making a difference here of at least $75,000 in one year which the other taxpayers of the city and county must pay. "The grave defect in the report of the state commission is that it considered state and county taxes only. It seems to have overlooked entirely that in Los Angeles county for instance the corporations pay a city tax greater than the state and county ratec ombined. "The commission also overlooked, apparently, the fact that under their amendment the corporations are exempted from paying any tax whatever for interest and sinking fund on bonded indebtedness. The utility companies and the banks pay their tax at a rate to be fixed in the constitution. This makes it un- Commenting upon the desire of defeating Senate Constitution Amendment No. 14, which prefers for increasing salaries of state officials, and their clerks nearly 1,000, as shown in the following: It may be said in explanation that present small salary of the lastant governor that he receives $3 day while the legislature is in session, having all the rest of his to engage in some other business. The regular sessions of the nature occur once in two years and about 70 days; that would make $700 biennially, or $350 per year given in the table. The extractions would add a little and may be other pickings which appear on the surface. The in-clerk hire is approximated by using the number in all departments and estimating them all at the sent constitutional limit of $160 per annum and then at the pro-limit of $1800 in this amendment allowing is the table showing increase: When we voted our lands it increases the tax property here. But the utility companies esent of their share if not carries. It is true of every improve second act. constitutional amendments to raise the money for state capital to Berkekement carries, the county in the state needed to pay the cost of real building, but the guilliam and banks will pay do you think that will average voter?” Necessary to indulge in perion of Mr. Bryan or any one in order to establish fitness of W'lliam H. presidential office. Mr. Bryan comes in most conspicuity with William Jennings only other candidate who offered as being in “the may concede the procter and sincerity of Mr. Bryan and yet be conspicuity temperament he is used for the presidential Mr. Taft. It has well that there has never been for the presidency more equipped for that office, long training in states large experience in public Mr. Taft. He is conman of achievement. Nation needed a man to out of chaos in Cuba, Taft was the man select- Present Proposed Officers Salary Salary Governor... $6000 $10,000 Lieut. Governor... 350 4000 Secretary of State...3000 5000 Controller...3000 5000 Treasurer...3000 5000 Surveyor General...3000 5000 Attorney General...3000 6000 About fifty clerks..80,000 90,000 Totals... $101,350 $130,000 Omitting the territories from consideration, there are only three states in the union now which pay their governors $10,000 per year, viz: New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. There are two which pay only $1500 per year, viz: Oregon and Vermont. All the rest range between these extreme, the average of all being $4427 per year. California with its $6000 salary is already paying more than the average salary with that of the great state of Oregon added. Competition for the place is so keen that no governor of California has ever been able to hold the office more than one term. Increase the emoluments and there will be assassinations to make way for others as there have been in the presidency and abroad. It will not do to make the compensation of our rulers so far above the average income of the common people that such people will feel as though they are “hewers of wood and drawers of water” to support said rulers in luxury and extravagance to the ruination of themselves and their families. Of similar import is the next amendment on the list, Senate Constitutional Amendment No. 16, which increases the compensation of legislators from $8 per day for 60 days biannually to $1000 per year biennially. Bailey of Texas stand convoke the bar of public opinion of aided and abetted “the interest presented by Standard Oil, into the people. To be sure, there is not yet purged of all its ionable charactors. There is a majority, under the leader Aldrich of Rhode Island, we be depended on to continue “the interests” at the expense people. But an encouraging ning has been made toward rehabilitating the senate and ing it again a body of represen- of the public. California wi day or other follow the Washington, Oregon, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Oklahoma and er states which have revolted the rule of “the interests.” long as Harriman, through controls the politics of this s chooses and dominates our ture, we can not hope to be sented by senators who are ed to the people rather tha interests.” The direct primary systeminating partisan candidates public office passed out of thof experiment six years ago, was given its first state w in Minnesota. Machine pe throughout the country “view alarm” the procession of state in rapid succession joined tha primary pioneer. The bosses ular demands for the direct with pleas for time. Tha the people “wait until this has been proved. It is only periment as yet.” That plea has force no If the direct primary idea Mr. Taft. It has well felt that there has never been for the presidency more equipped for that office, along training in state-wide experience in public Mr. Taft. He is conman of achievement. Nation needed a man to out of chaos in Cuba, Taft was the man selectask. Country needed a man to diplomatic difficulties and orderly government in his William H. Taft was all he achieved results. Mama was in turmoil and interests were involved, suffer and the man of accas again dispatched on and order was restored ma strip. On was bristling up and trouble, William H. Taft won a delicate diplomatic the Orient. He visited to the court of St. Peter; war talk in Japan submember of the president's and in every other caequipoise, his thorough not only of the policies of political adminission, but of international H. Taft has been a cred man statesmanship. In it he has merited the man of achievement." Over hand, Mr. Bryan has a public life during a meteoric career in congress current candidate for the Outside of his lecture as a public speaker, he conspicuous achieve- career in journalism has a nominal one and he some money and achieved ty through the publicacareer has been characconsistency of purpose and hence to fixed principles. ag upon the desirability Senate Constitutional common people that such people will feel as though they are "hewers of wood and drawers of water" to support sald rulers in luxury and extravagance to the ruination of themselves and their families. Of similar import is the next amendment on the list, Senate Constitutional Amendment No. 16, which increases the compensation of legislators from $8 per day for 60 days biennially to $1000 per year biennially, with $10 per day for special sessions, the total expense of each regular session for officers, employees and attaches being limited to $500 per day for each house. While the increase on the legislators can be easily calculated, the saving on officers, employees and attaches cannot be definitely determined because the length of the sessions would not be limited—only the expense per day. Figuring out the expense of a session of the legislature, as nearly as can be determined in each case without more accurate data, and dividing that by two, we have the following as the probable annual expense of the legislature under the old and the new schedules: Present Proposed Officers Salaries Salaries 120 Legislators ... $28,800 $60,000 About 400 Attaches 48,700 40,000 Totals ..... $77,500 $100,000 The first of these two amendments would increase the annual expense of the state officers and clerks about $28,650, and the last one would increase the annual expense of the legislature and attaches about $22,-500. That would make a total annual increase, by the adoption of these two amendments, of about $51,150, or an increase of about $204,600 for each administration of four years for all time to come. If the taxpayers of the state do not want this increase on their burdens, then let them vote these two amendments down. "It's a long lane that has no turn" is a maxim that is being well illustrated in the way the people are getting after the United States senators. Since the upper house of conthroughout the country "view alarm" the procession of states in rapid succession joined the primary pioneer. The bosses'ular demands for the direct with pleas for time. Th the people "wait until this has been proved. It is only periment as yet." That plea has force now. If the direct primary idea been proved sound in Crawforty, Pa., fifty years ago, the large of honest doubt was swain in 1908. The direct "primi-triumphantly withstood the test within the last three The defeat of Senator ArWashington, the retirement tor Long for Bristow in Kansas the triumphant renomination ernor Davidson in Wisconsin ished proofs no fake friend ine popular government can vert. In every case the people won against tremendous Washington and Kansas they off the yokes of corrupt fed railroad machines. In Wisco refused to turn down a faith lic servant at the behest of lettte, in whose personal they believed, but whom clined to accept in the re-"good" boss and monitor political consciences. These three great states ed both extremes of thie fight for unbossed politics. In two states the people ted against typical machine. In the third they smashed of the one machine in all thie States which has not been on in the hands of the gorporations. Under the old convention system the peeats would have been ass as were their victories ar rect primary polls. Under the delegate cus-system Long made a clean Kansas only three months went down to defeat best forces of decency at the diary polls. Long went intrect primary fight with or finest and most comprehen chine organizations ever upon the desirability of Senate Constitutional No. 14, which provides salaries of state officers referred to in these Orange Post says: Constitutional Amendment passed by the last legislature submitted to the voters at election, proposes the salaries of the state their clerks nearly $30, even in the following table. Should in explanation of the total salary of the lieutenant that he receives $10 per legislature is in session all the rest of his time on some other business. The sessions of the legislature in two years and last year; that would make him only, or $350 per year, as the table. The extra session add a little and there are pickings which do not face surface. The increase is approximated by count number in all departments using them all at the pre-terional limit of $1600 each and then at the proposed $200 in this amendment. Folde table showing the in- "It's a long lane that has no turn" is a maxim that is being well illustrated in the way the people are getting after the United States senators. Since the upper house of congress has gradually, but surely, been turned into a "rich man's club," the majority of whose members have little or no sympathy with the people whom they are supposed to represent. In fact, it would seem that, in the senate "the interests," rather than the people, were represented. The activities of President Roosevelt in behalf of popular rights seem, however to have called the attention of the people to the condition of affairs at Washington, with the result that the people of many of the states are in open revolt against the established order of things and are cleaning out the senate. The good work began in Wisconsin, which chose La Follette senator. Then Arkansas sent Jeff Davis to Washington. Then Kansas told Senator Long to stay at home. Next Oregon elected Bourne to Senator Mitchell's place. Then the state of Washington selected Congressman Jones to succeed Senator Ankeney. Then Senator Fulton was displaced by Governor Chamberlain by the Oregonians, and Illinois supplanted Senator Hopkins with Congressman Foss and the new state of Oklahoma chose two senators whom "the interests" do not control. And now Senators Foraker of Ohio and feats would have been as were their victories at direct primary polls. Under the delegate system Long made a clean Kansas only three months went down to defeat because of decency at the dary polls. Long went indirect primary fight with one finest and most comprehensive chine organizations ever with federal and state p. The railroads spent money for him. Bristow did not dollar for cigars, advertising riage hire. Long was eleinally against the wishes of ple. He demonstrated law that he could defy the wishes again with a delegation, but he could not their direct votes. He and chine were wiped out the people recovered the long usurped by the railchine. Ankeny was beaten by nearly two to one in W had the people had any matter six years ago never have been given an ability to disgrace his state inited States senate. Ankeny er elected to any office as of the peeople. He was mayor of his town, because ed the townsite. He was ber of the common once—and for the same reery time he sought an office posal of which was in the people he was beaten. manipulated delegates put the senate. The passing o Texas stand convicted at the public opinion of having labetted "the interests," rejoining Standard Oil, instead of To be sure, the senate purged of all of its object-tractors. There is still room under the leadership of Rhode Island, who can end on to continue to favor "tests" at the expense of the out an encouraging beginnemeen made toward finally bring the senate and make a body of representatives public. California will, some other follow the lead of Iowa, Oregon, Wisconsin, Illinois, Oklahoma and the oth which have revolted against "the interests." But as Harriman, through Herrin, the politics of this state and dominates our legislature not hope to be represe-nators who are obligat-people rather than "the ect primary system of nomi-trisan candidates for pub-lapsed out of the realm went six years ago, when it was its first state wide test mota. Machine politicians in the country "viewed with the procession of states which succession joined the direct pioneer. The bosses met pop bands for the direct primary for time. They bade "wait until this system improved. It is only an ex-s yet." Idea has force no longer. Ect primary idea had not gate marked the passing of Ankeny. La Follette gave the direct primary to the people of Wisconsin. They were grateful. They believed and do believe in La Follette. The people of California have within their grasp the power that the people of Wisconsin, Kansas and Washington have exercised. Assembly constitutional amendment No. 3, which will be submitted to the voters at the November election, will clear the way for the enactment of a better direct primary law that has either of those states. A tremendous popular vote for that amendment will go a long way toward insuring the ment of such a law. It is the duty of every elector who believes in free government to vote "Yes" on Assembly Amendment No. 3. One of the greatest elements of strength which has been added to the Taft campaign is the declaration by Senator La Follette that Judge Taft is a radical in political ideas, and the unqualified endorsement which La Follette gives the Republican presidential candidate. In his commendation of William H. Taft, Senator La Follette quotes from the Bible the appropriate text: "Thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness," and then added: "Such is the great leader that we have with us today. Nature gave him poise, judicial temperament, great force of character, tenacity of purpose. His long life in the public service is distinguished for its marked ability, its wisdom, its integrity, its patriotism. He has taken advanced ground upon the great issues that engage the profoundest thought of the country "viewed with procession of states which succession joined the direct pioneer. The bosses met pop ands for the direct primary for time. They bade "wait until this system proved. It is only an exsus yet." Idea has force no longer. Direct primary idea had not had sound in Crawford county years ago, the last vestest doubt was swept away. The direct primary has only withstood the supreme in the last three months. Great of Senator Ankeny in own, the retirement of Senator Bristow in Kansas and inhant renomination of Govidson in Wisconsin, furnifs no fake friend of genuer government can controvery case the people won— most tremendous odds. In and Kansas they threw kisses of corrupt federal and machines. In Wisconsin they turn down a faithful pubat at the behest of La Folwhose personal honesty revealed, but whom they decept in the role of a boss and monitor of their consciences. Three great states presentextremes of the people's unbossed political action. States the people were pitist typical machine bosses. And they smashed the slate machine in all the United which has not been a weaphands of the great corUnder the old delegate system the people's deuld have been as decisive of their victories at the diary polls. The delegate convention long made a clean sweep of only three months before he won to defeat before the decency at the direct priss. Long went into the diary fight with one of the old most comprehensive maganizations ever built up as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness," and then added: "Such is the great leader that we have with us today. Nature gave him poise, judicial temperament, great force of character, tenacity of purpose. His long life in the public service is distinguished for its mark ed ability, its wisdom, its integrity, its patriotism. He has taken advanced ground upon the great issues that engage the profoundest thought of the people of this country. He is equipped most wonderfully by experience." Such an indorsement from such a source ought to satisfy the most radical Republican, that William H. Taft stands for the most advanced policies of President Roosevelt and the party. Contrast with this endorsement of Taft, the declaration of Frederic R. Coudert, eminent lawyer and Cleveland Democrat, in a statement that he cannot support Mr. Bryan and of his intention to vote for Mr. Taft, in which he says: "It is my inten-tion to vote for Mr. Taft. I am unable to see that the Democratic party in this campaign stands for anything in particular save a rather clumsy attempt to outbid the last Republlican administration on any and every proposition and a somewhat pathetic pretension that its candidate is the real heir to the Rooseveltian mantle. Mr. Taft's achievements as lawyer, judge and great colonial administrator mark him rather as a doer of things worth while than as a talker about things, and emphasize the never-failing, admittedly artistic and oratorical opportunism of his rival, whose political solvents have run the whole gamut from debasing the coinage to the nationalization of the railroads. I cannot bring myself to believe that the complex economic questions of the day can be solved by phrases, however epigrammatic." These two declarations are significant of the trend of public opinion. The average politician wouldn't recognize a moral issue if he were to meet it face to face. the delegate convention long made a clean sweep of only three months before he down to defeat before the decency at the direct prizes. Long went into the diary fight with one of the most comprehensive organizations ever built up general and state patronage. Roads spent money like water. Bristow did not spend a cigars, advertising or car. Long was elected orig-inst the wishes of the peo-den demonstrated last spring could defy the people's brain with a delegate conven-ent he could not withstand direct votes. He and his ma-re wiped out the moment he recovered the rights so harped by the railroad mawas beaten by a vote of two to one in Washington. People had any voice in her six years ago he would have been given an opportuni-grace his state in the Uniis senate. Ankeny was nev-ral to any office as the choice freeople. He was the first in his town, because he ownownsite. He was a memhe common council—just for the same reason. Ev-he sought an office, the dis-which was in the hands of he was beaten. Machine-ted delegates put Ankeny in-ee. The passing of the dele- A Reliable Remedy Ely's Cream Balm is quickly absorbed. Gives Relief at Once. It cleanses, soothes, heals and protects the diseased membrane resulting from Catarrh and drives away a Cold in the Head quickly. Restores the Senses of Taste and Smell. Full size 50 cts., at Drug-gists or by mail. In liquid form, 75 cents. Ely Brothers, 56 Warren Street, New York. POLITICAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Z. B. WEST OF SANTA ANA (INCUMBENT) Regular Republican Nominee for Superior Judge of Orange County FOR SUPERIOR JUDGE J. W. TOWNER Regular Democratic nominee for Judge of the Superior Court of Orange county Election Nov. 3, 1908