Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1895-01-19
Governor McConnel's Message
Read Before Legislature.
AlERsE AND VIGOROUS PAPER
Rrtssling with Faces and Important nee
emmendatiens-Ihe Message heA"
4 ~ the Governor In PERSON

IN favor of the plan and report was
adonted I'm both houses. The governor,
learning of some opposition. transmitted
the message TO both houses. Afterwards
the committee waited upon him ana
unanimously requested that ne read the
message A committee OF cftlzens
had secured the Columbia theater tor
the occasion with the services OF Dahu
and the message was read there TINS
evening by the governor before JOINT
convention.
Gentlemen OF the House OF Represen-
tatives. State OF Idaho: In conformity
with the constitution of our state. you
have assembled In biennial session TO
perform the duties of Legislators.
Few states In the union present more
varied interests and industries than
ours. hence the task before you IL one
which will require wisdom and con-
cession that the mining industry. the
farm industry. the stock industry ana
all other industries. may receive equally
that fostering care which each may
reasonably expect. IL Will be your duty
To examine the various departments OF
the state. and TO inquire as 10 the Wis
dom Of the methods under which they
are administered. and to provide such
changes as you may deem wise ana
proper.
One of the first and most important
duties which should engage your atten-
ton IL the task of reducing the ex-
pense of our state and county govern
ments.
The most rigid economy in the con-
duct of county affairs has become an
Tn. commit les
In the state warrants that are Issued
in payment OF current expenses, have
so greatly deprecated. that the counties
in purchasing material, and supplies
for county purposes. are. I'm many IN
stances, compelled to pay twice the
cash value of the articles purchased,
and in nearly every county In the state
the discount on the warrant Is added
10 the purchase price, thus largely IN
creaaing the expense OF county govern
ments. This Is clear violation of the
law, but existing conditions have made
II impossible TO do otherwise than eNade
or violate IL.
our supreme court has indicated that
the current revenues of year must be
applied to the current expenses of that
year. II follows then, that IL the ex'
penses are kept within the revenues
the requirement of the constitution vii
be met and the counties will at onc'
be placed. practically. upon cash basis
In the future, but il this method is EN-
ployed in meeting current expenses
then saome means must be decided e
meet outstanding obligations, In this
shape of the warrant indebtedness tina
will be left unprovided for.
The constitution provides that th'
county commissioners shall be author
lied 20 levy a special tax. not exceeding
ten mills on the dollar. of taxable prop
erty, for the creation of a special fun'
for the redemption OF warrants that ar
unpaid, and for the payment of which
there are no funds In the county treas
ury. II will he your duty to authoriz
the county commissioners to make thi
levy
Your attention is called to the neces
sity of providing the method of sub
hitting the question OF bonding the IN
debtedness OF counties to the people
at special elections called for that pun
pose. A simple and inexpensive sys
tenn should be provided.
hand you herewith the report of tn
state auditor and hope you will give
careful perusal. You will notice tina
the state indebtedness Is small in com
parisnn. with what we have accom-
piised.
our entire bonded indebtedness
amounts to 1896. 900. 5000 is the balanc
due on asylum bonds; sl0s.0o0 was !;
sued TO refund the debt owed by I'll
territory when we We're admitted as
state; $4,000 capitol building bonds.
nay which we have on hand In III
nelghborheod of $4,000. and as tha
amount of these bonds may be retire
IN June, II Is your duty to instruct I'll
treasurer to do so. These bonds al
10-20s The 10 years will have expire
at that time on $50. 900. and a short tim
afterwards on the other $4,000. You
resolution instrueting the treasurer
take up these bonds should include III
whole issue. making II his duty TO pa
this money out. instead of allowing
10 remain in the treasury. $4,000 wa
the wagon road issue of 1889. and n
other s135.0o0 was the issue authorize
by the last legislature to build seri'
Of state wagon roads.
TAXATION.
| recommend that the state levy /
reduced from eighty-five TO sity CEN
on the hundred dollars. ! further re-
ommeBd that q new fee bill be enacte
that VIII conform with the present cor
ditions which surround us.
The expense OF running our city an
county governments. notably that {
our courts. is entirely too great
I rarprnpngpH fhaf annF farns