The San Francisco call., 1897-01-06
NEEDS OF
! THE STATE
Shown in Governor Budd's
Message to the LegiS-
lature.
CRITICISM OF ASYLUM
SALARIES.
Specifically Points the Way to
economy and Needed
Legislation.
CONDEMNS FOREIGN PRISON
PRODUCTS.
Extensive Comment on the Various
Safe Institutions, Commissions
and on Taxation.
CONDEMNS FOREIGN PRISON
PRODUCTS.
Extensive Comment on the Various
Safe Institutions, Commissions
and on Taxation.

SACRAMENTO, CAL, Jan. 5.-Governor
Budd's first biennial message to the Leg
Sslature was presented to that body to-
day. It's main points are as follows:
The Governor recalled with satisfaction the
prosperity OF the State during the last two
years, its freedom from domestic disturbance,
pesulence ana disaster.
Variation of Salaries and Employees.
Referring TO his inaugural address he said
be then commented on the extent of the State
extravaganza. The State Board OF Examiners
has done much to correct these evils. but much
remains TO be done. The State board found
salaries for the same service in State institu-
tions disproportionate, in some cases nearly
double those OF others, and the number OF en-
ployes excessive; that attendants in various
asylums vary greatly IN the ratio of inmates,
and that the payrolls were augmented by
thousands Of dollars, while the number OF pa
tlents remained stationary or decreased. This
lack OF uniformity he shows by mentioning
the following salaries Superintendent OF the
State insane asylum at Stockton, $500 and
found superintendent OF the State reform
school al Whittier, $4,000 and found; superin-
tendent of the Home for Predetermined Chill
dren at Glen Ellen, where the work
is hard, long and delicate" $24OO and
found: superintendent OF the Preston
School OF Industry, S2400 and found,
while the salaries of cooks and certain other
e1spIoyes vary ns much as from 80 to so per
cent The salaries of State institution officials
equal, and frequently exceed, those of consti-
tutiousI State officers who are required 10
possess special training, undergo the expense
OF q campaign etc. Had the State Board of
Examiners power to reduce the number of
State institution officers and employees the re-
cent reduction in expenses through its super
V-siOn would b. even more significant.
He suggested that such power be given the
board The Governors understanding fails TO
comprehend why beef at Whittier should be
o. cents pound and beef st San Bernardino
AZ cents 10 State institutions, and a similar
v-raticn in prices OF other commodities.
State Taxes.
IN regard to the taxation of corporations the
Governor says: y would therefore recon-
mend that, under article XIII, section IL, of
the constitution, you formulate audimpose
upon AL corporations in this State doing busi-
ness for profit, a graduated income tax, so ad-
justed that they be required 10 pay only such
sums as are strictly just and faIr, and that
equal Justice be done among them.
III the appropriat lions for purposes other
than the regular running expenses OF the
Government, estimated by the Controller,
be kept within reasonable bounds, the cUndi-
tion OF the treasury is such that, for the next
two fiscal years, on the present valuation of
property, the tax rate will be less than 50
CtULS per P1OOg dlu II lilO COIDOId-
ton income tax and the excise-license tax
raise Sl,JO0, 900 between them-for state pur-
pOses-the people OF the State Will be com
PEELED 10 pay less than 20 cents on the 800
valuation of property. And the Legislature
tnat accomplishes this good end will stand
out as the greatest ou- State has ever had.
Il would recommend that this system be
gradually inaugurated by imposing but linn
tied tax until lis practical workings be deter
mined. In this event, should inequality or
oppression to legitimate corporate interests
r4Sult little iDrV would follow trial -
Inheritance Tax.
He urged such legislation as would relieve
the tax on collateral inheritances, which, he
said, is working a great hardship on char
liable, educa .1olal, e4eemosynary, religious
and ike institutions.
Licenses.
There ere at the present time in this State
over 1000 places licensed for the sale of
splrituOus liquors to be drunk upon the prem
ises and 10 cuiiect from these license which
will regulate them and at the same time COM
pensate the state Tor the privileges they enjOy,
and for bearing the burdens which result
from their existence, is q question which
should enlist the. energies and demand the
best intelligence of the law-making power
The present method OF collecting liduor
licenses is illogical and Incomplete W hile the
apportionment OF the very considerable fund
which results from such collection is ALWAYS
unsatisfactory and frequently unjust. Atpres-
ent the state, which supports most Of the
burdens which result from this traffic secures
none of the revenue, while the interests en-
gagged in the liquor business frequently
harassed, the various interests in the local
jurisdiction never satisfied, ana the tenn
porary compromise, alike unsatisfactory to
all parties, has but short and unstable
existence. To put an end 10 this per
petual civil striie. and 10 secure to the SlaIe
revenue commensura ge with her burdens, IL
would be we'll 10 adopt a State excise license
- lax, equal throughout the State. and in such
amount as would insure an efficient regulation
OF THIS traffic raise q revenue OF such magni-
tude would materially contribute 10 the
support OF the State Government, and secure
TO the citizens adequate COMPENSATION for the
burdens arising from its existence. While
such tax might result in an increase of the
license now levied upon the liquor business,
the iact that 1t would permanently fix the
1mpost and relieve the dealer from the veXa-
t1on OF perpetual changes, would be tc him an
adequate return. The remaining taxpayer,
relieved by tne settlement of the license ques-
ton IN MS local jurisdiction, would be fur
nlsheo win an additional compensation in
the increased revenue, and in its more just
and equitable distribution. also call
your attention to the fact that at least one
third OF the saloons Of this State apparently
escape the payment OF any county or mu-
nicipal tax.
III the Legislature fix rate upon these
saloons that will raise the sum of only
q 81 900 900 annually for State purDoses II viii
reduce the amount assessed upon other nron
erty nearly twenty per cent, and mako fba
taxes upon the farmer and the increment cor
res pondingly low A tax averaging SIO0 nor
anHum, assuming that there are - 500
a
pay the license. would raise this amonnt Of
revenue.
Insurance.
Foreign insurance companies doing busi-
ness mere should be compelled TO provide
proper security Tor poicy-hoiders - An
nualIy more than 81 900, 600 is paid to foreign
IRE and marine insurance companies alone
For this immense amount drawn from our
people title is paid toward the support of our
State government. One foreign company
making yearly net proft in this State OF over
$4,000, can do business in California for the
insignificant tax OF $50 pr annum. All
secret and fraternal associations doing an
Insurance business should be, to this extent
4 under the Jurisdiction Oh the Commissioner.
Banks and Bank Commissioners.
81 recommend that every bank be required
10 ma ke report 10 the Bank Comm issloners
ot lis affairs, as of noon on the first Monday in
MaIGh ot each year, the sta atement to be veri-
nel Dy the commissioners and Immediately
tIahsinl ltted TO The Governor. Such reports
should be open to inspection by the Assessor
OF each county of the State The Governor
states tnat the just assessment of banks and
banking property is very difficult under