Jasper County Democrat, Volume 23, Number 61, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 October 1920 — $44,000,000 TAX JUMP HITS STATE [ARTICLE]

$44,000,000 TAX JUMP HITS STATE

public, Resentful of Unwarranted liecrease, Holds Governor Goodrich and Warren T, McCray Responsible for Law. , ■ ( DEMOCRATIC VICTORY IS SEEM Indianapolis, Ind.—An increase in taxes amounting to more than $44,000,000 in two years is the price tho people of Indiana will" pay for what Governor Goodrich said was “the beßt tax law ever enacted.As a result 1 the dominant issue in the state'eampaign 1b the tax law. Republicans, aside from Governor Goodrich and Warren T. McCray, th» Republican gubernatorial nominee* are saying little if anything in defense of the measure, while the Democrats are assaulting it vigorously, promising to repeal it and to place in its stead a law based on the equitable distribution of taxation, restoration of Home-Rule to local communities and de-centralization of power* Increase Is Stago er l n SThe Increase in taxation is staggering and is being keenly -felt by every taxpayer. In 1919, the first year of the Goodrich law, the total amount levied jumped from $68,367,208.80 collected under the old Democratic law* to $75,615,747.69. Although all figure* are not available it is estimated that next year the amount to be collected will reach $112,805,894.19, or an increase of $44,438,685.59. It is proving exceedingly diißonlt for Republican orators to explain how the valuation and rate has been increased 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. McOray immediately began to defend the tax law and the State Highway Commission, which has been charged with wasting over three-quarters of a million dollars on badly placed contracts, -and has literally staked his campaign on the popularity or unpopularity of the Goodrich regime. Offers No Remody. Mr. McCray has offered in none of his speeches anything of a constructive nature but has repeatedly defended the pitched-up tax law, which he had a hand in framing during tha special session. If Mr. McCray could have kept hia fingers clear from the special session he probably would not be in su£h difficult straits as he now finds himself. He was instrumental, however, in having the legislature ’'legalize” the already unpopular horizontal increases which had been declared invalid by the supreme court, and as a result he finds his name linked with Goodrich on the' amended tax laws. His participation in legislative affairs 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 the record made by the present governor. With resentment against the tax law apparent everywhere the Democratic appeal for a repeal of the measure is gaining terrific momentum. Persons looking for relief from what they Justly believe to be an unfair law bave'looked in vain to the Republicans and as a result they are flocking to the support of Dr* ton B. McCulloch, Democratic nominee for governor, who has attacked the statute from top to bottom and who wants it-griped off the'slate. Law to be Repealed. Dr. McCulloch has pledged hiß party to repeal the law and to place in its stead one based on justice. The Democratic candidates for the state legislature have followed the platform declaration and a popular response has met their declarations. Indications in all parts of the state, with the election only a few days off. point convincihgly to the fact that the people wllDroll up a tremendous protest vote against the Goodrich administration which Includes Mr. McCray, and that they will register their faith in Dr. McCulloch and the legislators who are pledged to enact into laws the things the public feels 1», necessary for its own welfare.