The record-union., 1895-01-12
THE GOVERNORS INAUGURAL.


The inaugural address of Governor
Budd appears in another column in full
1t bears evidences of something of haste
IN preparation, and this the Governor
himself confesses in the address. 1t has
in it, however, some excellent sugges-
tions relative to State economy, which
is the chief burden of the docu-
ment-indeed, it may be said to be its
pervading tone. In the main, so far as
rapid examination permits, the address
is found to be in these respects sound,
and forecasts for the administration of
Governor Budd an earnest desire to lessen
the burdens of taxation. and to advance
correspondingly general State interests.
While We cannot agree with the new
Executive in his views on two or three
topics, as 10 all others his address merits
approval by the people, since it promises,
so far as his office is concerned, a sincere
effort to reduce State expenses to a rea-
sonable level without crippling the ma
SAAAAoAg VI
The comment of the Governor upon the
extravaganza which has marked our
career as State reflects the sober judg-
ment of the people. He Is unquestion-
ably correct in the statement that the
high rate of taxation in California has a
deterrent influence upon those who
NVOuld ptharyviSa ha jDClipad ro SatrIa II,
the State and bring into it new capital
and industry; that while we rank as
twenty-second in population, we stand
fourth among the States IN our aggregate
expense Tor State purposes. New York
Is the only State that exceeds us in out
lay for State prisons, but New \ ork has
100000 people to our one and quarter
million. Our lunatic asylums cost US an
nually nearly double the sum incurred
by many States for such institutions
where the population is very much
greater than with US.
The Governor hits mark direct when,
IN treating OF the as ylums for the insane,
he rebukes the spirit of localism that
scatters State institutions TO crafty local
greed and the practice that admits to
these institutions many at State charge
who have no right to be there, or at least
should be fully paid for. He protests
warmly against further extravaganza and
wrong in these directions, and advises
some radical changes in our institutional
administrations.
The Governor advises the consolidation
of the two State Prisons, placing both at
Folsom. lie goes beyond this, and would
have q consolidation of reform schools,
or that one be used for girls and the other
for boys only. In these suggestions there
is enough to engage the earnest consider
alton and wise action Of the Legislature.
Several of the commissions-those most
closely related 10 horticulture and viii
culture, for instsuce-he would have
merged into the departments of the nj
versity. and thus save the very heavy
cost of distinct offices and administra-
lions. and he believes that the State
would get. better results and the people
higher value for their outlay. Three dis
trict and one State Fair he thinks ample
for all need.
he assaults vigorously, IS did his pre-
decessor, the system that thrusts greedy
hand into the State treasury for the sup
port Of such of the INDECENT as sre prop
erIy county charges He seconds fixed
determination on the part of the Legisla-
ture TO repeal the coyote scalp law, aud
he would have carried along with il the
INDECENT aid law.
He would have redundant officials cut
or, and names among them the Attorney
for the state Beard OF Health, and the
Attorney for the San Francisco Board o.
Health, who are salsried SIS largely as is
the Secretary of State or the Attorney
General. He expresses qualification thai
the Controller OF State is with him in this
assault upon state extrayaganee.
County classi fcstion is aA wrong with
Us, he thinks. We have nearly as many
classi ihcsuons of counties rs there SRI
counties, and the result IS gross dis
crininasiou-an unfair and ineQ Quilsbls fes
system that is burdensoms 10 the people
All such special legislation he asks th'
Legislature TO abandon speedily. Il:
Iinds in our laws for municipal improve
nent almost as great wrong and IS IN.
jIss Discrimination, and points out FOL