The Fremont County record. [volume] (Canon City, Colo.) 1877-18??, 1883-06-16
THE EXTRA SESSION.

Inc cdpitOl Dulldlng committee, appoint
| ed by the last legislature TO adopt plans,
select material and commence the con-
struction of wing of capitol, having
come to the conclusion that the building
of one wing of capitol building would
not, in their judgment, be wise, a pressure
was brought to bear on the governor to
call an extra session of the legislature.
From reading last Sundays Denver pa
pers one would have supposed that the
extra session would have been at work ere
this, but up to the present writing no call
has been issued, and we cannot see why
there should be. If the law is defective
in its provisions about the said wing, and
the commission wanted the law perfected
so as to proceed with the building of said
wing, the question would be simply an
economic one, with the expense of an extra
session of the legislature on one side and
the advantages TO be derived to the state
by the Immediate construction of such
wing on the other side. In that case it is
probable that the expense would be greater
than the amount the state would be obliged
to pay for rent for the delay occasioned by
failure to build Immediately.
But that is not the question involved
The commission decide that the whole
structure should be commenced and built
and that the wing plan should be abolished.
That rather than go-ahead on the wing
plan they will resign. Well let them re-
sign then. There is no authority dele
gated by which another commission could
be appointed until the next legislature
convenes.
The law eontemplates building that
will cost 81 ,0O0, 600.
To raise that amount, under the CON-
stitution will require eight or ten years
By submitting the question to the voters,
and having it ratified by them, an in
debtedness of three mills on each 81 of
the assessed valuation of the state can be
incurred for a capitol building.
The assessed valuation last year was
S104, 900 900, which would afford n fund Of
$4,000. In addition TO the foregoing
fund, the constitution says the debt for
public buildings shall never exceed $50, 600
So lit is safe to say that the state cannot
go in debt for more than half the cost of a
100000 capitol. How is the other
800 900 to be raised /?
The rate of taxation on property for
state purposes cannot exceed four mills
on the 81, and the legislature is prohib-
tied from authorizing any expenditure in
excess of the sum so raised.
The last legislature levied a three and
half mill tax for state purposes and
and ono half of one mill for capitol pur-
poses, for the years 1888 and 1854 That
VIII De one mill tax for the two years,
and will amount to about S10i,0OO
Should the three and half mill prove
sufficient for running expenses, so that
onc-half mill for capitol expenses can be
levied each year, and the people should
vote the Indebtedness before mentioned
the 81 900 900 could be raised in eight years,
but we do not believe the three and n half
mill tax will prove sufficient TO pay the
ordinary expenses Taking last years as
sessment as a basis, the amount raised
for this and next year will be 500, 900,
whereas the appropriations made, for the
same time, by the last legislature amount
TO 81 200, 900, or over S40O,OO0 more than
the revenue will be. The probabilities are
that the assessment will yearly increase
and it is to be hoped that it will suffici-
emily increase to make the revenue
equal the expenditures, but il it
don't the next legislature may be
Obliged TO omit capitol levy. All things
considered it appears 10 be evident that it
will take nine, years and probably ten
from january /, 1888 to raise 81 ,o00, 900
for capitol purposes. If that be so. and
the wing plan is abandoned, what neces-
sity can there be for an extra session of
the Legislature Let the commission re-
sign. and the matter drop until the next
legislature meets. That legislature can
provide for the erection of n 1000, 900
capitol IL il secs fit, and there will be
plenty of time 10 build and complete the
capitol by the time the money TO pay for
1t can be raised.