Mexico weekly ledger., 1879-01-16
STATE FINANCES.
A Deficient Treasury and Prop
err Remedies for it's Low
Estate.

of Legislatures in regard to the i'm
position of taxes, is making itself
more apparent every day. There is
scarce ajax payer, who, when he
reads in this paper, that over a mil
lion of dollars will be needed to meet
the current obligations of this State
within the next six months, will not
rejoice that beyond providing for the
interest on the State debt and raising
$3.50, 600 for the sinking fund, his
properly cannot be tsxed for State
purposes ever 20 cents on the $780,
At the same tine, it is equally
evident that something must be done
to provide for the expenses of gov
erning the State and the protection
ofits credit. There is much practical
good sense in the suggestions Of the
Governor to the Legislature as to
how these may be done. There must
be better care taken hereafter of the
peoples money and more attention
given to economising in the appro-
priation of it. To deriving more
evenue from dramshops there a be
no special objection, and yet, in view
of the connections with which the
Governor introduces this matter, his
plan is not devoid of draw backs. In
addition to increasing the amount
heretofore received by the State for
dramshop licenses, which have been
granted too freely and cheaply, there
is no necessity for reducing county
and municipal charges for concur
rent licenses to an equality with
those of the State. To do this
would deprive communities of the
only means they possess ofprotecting
themselves and families against abuse
of the privilege of selling and drink
ing liquor and the disorders ordinarily
connected with indiscriminate grant
ing of it. Surely while the expense
criminal prosecutions, and the cost
of taking car of ~convicts r attract
ing such widespread attention, some
thought ought to be given to diminu-
ton of crime.
AS little objection can be urged
against a poll tax, provided it can be
collected from every voter. To do
this it has been found necessary to
connect it with restriction OF suffrage.
In that form it has been passed upon
by the people and almost unanimous
ly rejected. Under any any other
system of collection most voters, and
especially those that contribute moth
ing to government at present will
escape its payment, while the bur-
dens of the tax paying portion of the
community will be increased.
Would it not be better after a
thorough examination into the condi-
ton of the treasury and the institu-
ton ofpossible economy to bridge
the present financial crisis with a
loan. Money will command more
how than heretofore, and the salaries
of State officials will bear reduction.
Our State taxes are high enough.
1t is no justification of an increase of
them to say that they are not as bur-
densome as those of the counties.
If county obligations could be hon.
orably escaped from there Is not a
community in the State that would
not avail itself ofthe possibility. They
we're incurred when the relation Of
money TO labor, and soil-products was
far less busdensome than at present,
and the weight Of county taxation in
stead Of being q plea for increased
State levies is the most torcible that
can be given against the imposition
Of them.