Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1895-01-18

Some Suggestions That vii
Laws.
After a statement of the condition
upon which our State government wa
set in motion and the effects that have
resulted from an over-confidence fl
our great resources, during a protract
ted season of business depression, the
States Executive suggests
READJCsTMENT OF FISCAL POLICY.
The sound common sense and
patriotism OF the people, which have
kept Washington in the column OF
sane and conservative states, now
dictate a readjustment Of fiscal policy
founded on conditions of revenue rather
than theories of redemption; such a
readjustment, in short, as will relieve
the taxpayers of present increasing
obligations, lessen future charges
against the public fund, and place the
public credit on the most substantial
basis. The problem of revision and
retrenchment, arising thus at time
when the household of state is de-
ficient in many requirements essential
to better government, and including
as it does the administration OF affairs
in towns, cities and counties, is COM
plex in the extreme. Investigation
will disclose on every hand on outgo
in excess of income, graded attenua-
ton Of revenue, and . perilous dis.
regard Of duty on the part of auditing
agents. Extending inquiry from the
state into local governments, the ex-
periences of disparity between dis
bursements and receipts will be COM
parable to an expansion of circles
from a point of radiation. Step by
step the state has been relaxing its
governing relation to the fiscal con.
duct of counties without setting up
requisite safeguards for honest and
economic management. The widen
ing latitude of county legislation
unprovided with adequate supervision
and check, is developing expensive
abuses OF discretionary power. Under
the numerous laws devoid of neces-
sary restraining clauses, the interac-
ton OF local interests is favored TO the
prejudice of the common welfare. In
sufficiency Of penalty for malieasance
for negligence, and for contempt Oi
responsibility, encourages infirm and
faithless officials, in whom the people
TepOse their trusts. Shameless I'M
positions mar the record of costs in
criminal jurisprudence. The assess.
ment system is unstable, extravagant
and inefficient.
1t is essential to prudent legislation
at this time to calculate in all candor
and courage, and with full apprecia.
ton for the lessons of comparison
whittier a policy SO generously sus.
tained by the people in the past may
lead if strenuously pursued. In 1880
the census accredited Washington
with a population of $40 800, and in
1892 the assessors census showed an
increase OF 46, ,199, making the total
395'5S9. The population for 1894 is
estimated at 41O,O0O.
The total valuation in 1890 was
$2l7 ,6l2.S97, and 1926, ,245. 1872 in 1894.
A gain of 6O,6l0 in population was at
tended by an increase Of $8, ,632, ,285 in
valuation. Meanwhile, the assess
ment of 1892 had reached $2S5, ,846,-
S24. Thus two years witnessed an ex.
pansion OF state valuation by 68 ,233, :
927, while during similar period i'm
mediately subsequent $59,601 ,642
evaporated from the assessment. The
state tax, levied at a mill rate for
1890, yielded $720,887.75. In 1890 it
had shrunk to $648,87O At a "a mill
rate. The approximate collections for
1902 were 80 per cent; in 1898 they
slumped to 65 per cent. Assessment,
levy and collections all decline, with a
steadily increasing outlay in town,
city, county and state.
The disbursements of state, parallel
ing the foregoing facts, raise the
audited outstanding Indebtedness of
$57O, ,432 in 1890 to $685. ,9O6 in 1892,
and to 81 ,307 ,322.O4 in 1894. County
and city disbursements and receipts
relatively exceed those of state.
TENDENCY TOWARD EXCESSIVE APPRoP-
RIATIoNs.
1t is not within the range OF hu-
man foresight to estimate accurately
the revenue and disbursements for the
fiscal term succeeding legislative ses-
sion, because of the variance between
the restraining ideas OF auditing
officers, who are naturally OH the side
OF economy, and the lavish impulses
Of the Legislature, which is influenced
by combinations of local interests and
inclines to an excess of confidence in
the public resources. Another and
potent factor in rendering estimates
nugatory is the changeableness of
values and the uncertainties OF tax
collections under altering commercial
and industrial conditions. When the
third Washington Legislature con-
vened, confidence in the capacity OF
the State to redeem its warrant debt
speedily was unquestioned. 1t was
estimated that at the beginning of the
fiscal term OF the present year the
Treasury would contain cash balance
of 1927 ,355.55. On the contrary,
when March 31st comes around, the
shortage, exclusive of bond and inter
est debt, will run over three-quarters
OF million.
The receipts at the opening of the
fiscal term beginning March 81, 1893
estimated at $685., 800, were in reality
$567 ,202. .46, a discrepancy of $2SS, ,297 :.
"a. In the face of estimated necessary
expenditures amounting to 81 ,440, ,444.
As, the Legislature appropriated, il
addition to $3O8, ,l40.S7 deficiency ap
preparations, the sum of $2,l24, 1921
for the fiscal term now drawing to 1
close. Of this amount, items aggregat
ing $l7S,64O were vetoed. It will b.
seen that the appropriations, less th'
vetoed sums, in this instance exceeded
the estimated needs more than have 1
million dollars.
The present Legislature shoul,
closely scrutlnize all appropriation
acts and defend the taxpayers from
, repetition Of such folly.
1t should be borne in mind, in pro
viding for the forthcoming fiscal term
that only one-fourth Of the State Ia
for 1893 had found its way to th
Treasury March 3lst, although tn