The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-01-16
APPROPRIATIONS MUST ee cur.
The Revenue Laws Are Urgently in
Need Of Revision.
Relief should Re Afford ed From. On.
prsssive Ratlrcad Kases, and the
Paiiman Company Should Receive
Attention-Debtors Rsdseming Force
closed Property should kecover Its
ineeme-roo Many DuKmy Clerks A.
the Legislature.

Olympia. Jan. 15,-Speeaal Follow.
ms Is the text OF the governors naes-
sage. read in the legislature today:
State of Washington, Executive DE.
rartsnei,t. Olympia. WASH. Jan. IA.
1895.
Gentlemen of the Senate and Hous3
of Representatives. In isSellarging sha
duty prescribed by constitutional man
date. should first speak for an exssec-
tation ui9serfnaSt In the public mind.
When the star OF Washington rose In
the constellation OF she Union. retro-
gresSion seemed impossible - the ma
tion's prosperity. unchailenged credit.
csssasorols Investors and an enviapie rsss-
utaSson abroad: inessinfsele resourcSAp
profitable industries and bounding val
ues at home. constituted abundant
cause for faith in our capacity for
immediate liquidation. Richly en-
tiowei under the enabling act, the cost
.f establishing and maintaining our
institutions was guaranteed. Public
orinionsupported an immediate assumr-
iion of the digfities. equipment and re-
spcnsaol.ties OF mature st ehood. Re-
spoasiyely. the autonomy provided for
municipalities and counties imposed
burdens in excess of needs.
The severe traass Of the two years
past. consequent upon the reversal of
the federal tariff system. the intense
controversy over irreconcllable nTone-
tary doggnas. and the task of liquida-
ton thrust upon the country inonpor-
tunely by foreign security llolders,
causing suspension of credits. stagna-
ticn of industry and shrinkage OF phys
icai as we'll as productive values. have
awakened every taxpayer To the tmper-
ative necessity of public economy.
In passing II Is gratifying TO reflect
that throughout a reactionary period,
prolific In grave disorder In other Sec
tfons OF the country, the people Of
Washington endured the inevitable
with fortbtude. and preserved. on the
whole, a loyal, patient, iaw-ahiding cit-
fzenship. No whimsical or sentimental
interest I'm the specious protests OF for
ensic lawbrealxerS was suffered to milf
tate against the honor. peace and secu-
rity of the state. The few Instances of
overt acts and violation OF law were
quickly condemned on every side and
connlensurateiy punished.
REIMBURSEMENT OF FISCAL poll
ICY.
The sound common sense and patri-
otism of the peuple, which have kept
Washington in the column OF sane and
conservative states. now dfctate a re-
adjustment of fiscal policy. founded on
conditions Of revenue rather than the
ories of redemption. such a readjust-
ment. in short. AZ VIII relieve the tax
payers of present increasing obliKa-
tiyns. lessen future charges against the
public funds. and place the public cred
Ii on the most substantial basis. Tho
problem of revision and rctrenchusent.
arising thus at n time when the house,
| hold Of the state IL deficient iIt many
requirements essential to better govera-
snent. and including as IL does the adj
ninistration Of affairs in towns. cities
and counties. ii csfnpiex IN the ex-
trene Investigation will disclose ON ev-
cry hand an ositgo In excess ~ income,
a graded attenuation OF revenue and
periioiis disregard of duty on the part
OF auditing agents. Extending inquiry
from the ~tate into local governments,
the experiences of Disparity between
Disbursements and Eseesipts will he corss-
parable 10 an expansion of circles from
a point OF radiaticn. Step by step the
state has been relaxing fs governing
relation 10 the fiscal conduct OF conn
Ties without setting up requisite SAFE
guards for honest and economic man.
agen9enf The widening latitude It
county legislation. unpr0yided with ad-
cquate supervision and csfssk. is devei-
| uping expensive abuses OF discretionary
| power Under the numerous laws de-
void Of necessary restraining clauses,
the interaesion OF kscaI interests is fa-
yoresl to the prejudice ng the ,xHunrpn
welfare. InsufficIeHcy of penalty for
naifeaxance. for negligence, and for
contempt Of responsibility. encourages
lnfirfn and fsithless officials. In whom
| the people rrpose their trusts. shame
less Enposiiins mar the records Of
costs In criminal Jurisprudence. The
assessment system IL unstable. extrava-
giant and inefficient
/ II is essential 20 prudent legislation
/ at this time 20 calculate fn all cnndor
/ aud courage, and with a full aprrccEa-
/ tion for the lessons OF e1nFsarison.
/ whittier a policy 50 generously ssis-
1 tained by the people Ia the past may
I lead IL strenuousiy pursued In 1880
tn. national census accredited Wash
/ Ington with a population of 34s, go, and
| In 1899 the assessors census showed an
increase OF $3.50. making the total 1885,
$50 The population for 1894 IL esfsrna-
| ted at 4i0.000.
The total valuation in 1850 was
| SIT 81, ,ssT. and $23s .sf5. .fs3 In 1894 A
| gain OF s0.eIe in population was atten-
| ded by an Increase Of $s.s32. rs IN val
| uation. Meanwhile the assessment of
fss2 had reached s2ss. .sss. .s2f. Thus two
years witnessed an expansion uf state
valuation by 81. .2ss .3z7. while during .
| similar perioi Immediately subsequen<
/ s5s sU1 .gs2 evapu~ated from the aasesr-
! ErseFsf The state tsx. levied at a rnfil
rase for 1896. Yielded s7zo.ss775. In 1874
il had silrsank TO ssfs $40 at a IL min
| rate. Th. approximate collections for
| 1902 were - per cent: in 1898 they
| ssurnpei TO S. pew cent. Assessment.
| levy and collections all decline. wssh
| steadily lrsereasing outlay tn town.
/ city. cosInfy and state.
The disbursements OF state, parallel
ing tsse foregoing facts. raise the audit
s.d outstanding Indebtedness OF ty-9. ~
IN 1888 10 ssss.gds Ia 1892. ard ~ 81 20, :
- "a IN 1874. County AID city 9isbarSe-