Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1897-01-13
ssteunenberg's Message.

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Governor Frank Steunenberg's first
message to the Idaho legislature is
a plain-spoken, mastery document
that has received praise from raen OF
all political parties in the State. It is
quite lengthy, but not more so than
could be expected, considering the
thorough and exhaustive exposition
made of the affairs of the State and
the timely suggestions offered.
Governor Steunenberg estimates that
the State tax levy for the coming year
win run to $119, or nineteen cents
above the constitutional limit Of taxa
ton. AT the end OF two years we ex-
pect that the blame for all the heavy
Indebtedness bequeathed to the pres
ent Peoples Democratic party admin
istration by the Republicans will be
laid by them on the shoulders of the
Peoples Democratic party. In sum
ming up the bonded Indebtedness the
Governor naively remarks:
"This makes total bonded indebt-
epness of $4,000, not large sum,
but yet, owing to the limited amount
OF taxable property in the State
1885,, 1888. 08-the tax levy necessary
70 meet the interest thereon and pro-
vide shaking fund, together with the
levy needed to run the State govern
ment with its various departments and
institutions, swells the aggregate levy
sssuch an amount as should make
you hesitate before providing for any
further increase in that direction. BY
inquiry in the State Auditors office, !
have ascertained that the estimated
levy to meet the general expense next
year will be seventy nine cents on each
one hundred dollars. Add to this two
cents for the road bonds of 1889, three
cents for the road bonds of 1893 three
cents for the normal school bonds, two
and one-half cents for the refunding
bonds, seven and one half cents for
support OF normal schools, two and
one-half cents for support of univer-
sity, eight and one-half cents for inn
provements at insane asylum, one cent
for asylum bonds, four and one-half
cents for redemption Of university
warrants, and you will observe that
this runs the levy to $1.19, or nine
teen cents above the constitutional
/ limit of taxation.
"This should impress upon your
minds that it is easy to provide for the
issuance of bonds and the establish
ment OF State institutions, but when
the time comes to meet the payments,
It is quite different matter.
'No item of expense incident to
improvement Of the capitol building
and grounds or of the penitentiary has
been considered in this estimate. The
support of the soldiers home, the
asylum and the penitentiary has beer
counted in the first item of 10 cents.
"Of all matters that will engage youi
attention as legislators, it will hardly
seem necessary for me to urge thai
the strictest economy consistent will
good business methods be observed
The demand for retrenchment and re
form in all matters OF legislation and
administration is so universal, and tht
justice of the demand SO patent
that any extended discussion in thi
paper on this subject would be super
fiuous.
ECONOMY in public affairs in Idaho
is no longer catch phrase to beguil,
the unwary, or a subterfuge to mislead
but is an absolute necessity Needed
reforms in the abstract are many, blu
we have practical present condition
TO meet, in the handling of which Their
Is no room for speculative theories.
Regarding official bonds the Cover,
says: awhile it would seem that tn
provisions of the statute in regard Il
official bonds and sureties are ample
and provide all the safeguards that ar
necessary for faithful performance a
we'll as to secure the counties and mu
inequalities against all possible loss,
Is nevertheless true that in spite c
these safeguards, there have been glar
Ing instances of official peculation o
Encouragement and consequent los
In both state and counties in pas
years.
at has been thought by some tina
provisions calling for official bonds b.
some fidelity guarantee association
would minimize these evils and tn
idea is not entirely without merit.
personal security is not usually sal
isiactory to either the official, his sure
ties. or the state, and especially is thi
the case when there is trouble.
"The large business interests of TIL
country have long ago abandoned til,
plan of personal security with good re
suits. and IL would seem that the nlal