Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-03-12
me LEGISLATIVE ArPROpR1N
Ti0NS.

The fact that the State Legislature
finds IL necessary TO make over a
million dollars appropriation at a
blenu ial session, and do 30 without the
least leaning towards extravaganza, Is
a suggestion OF the comparatively VAST
extent Of the State's public Interests.
10 come people the sum OF mlllioh
dollars may sound largei hut when the
facts bearing upon the present si'uA'
tion are recalled, 1t wi ] be found that
this is very conservative figure Of
EXPENSE Tor tho entire State; indeed,
IL IA less than Salt Lake Guy and
county taxpayers paid for the erection
of single building and fixing the
grounds adjacent thetei, -lhe city ana
county building. 1t Is a vital point 10
remember that the Legislative appro'
prIations at this session cover period
OF two year,, and in the case OF some
OF the State Institutions six months
longer than that.
lhhtu lnG ANA u ~
pen diture, the sum OF legislative
appropriations lie a little in excess OF
hall u million dollars per aunum- not
by any means an excessive amount
for the great and varied Interests to be
considered. Az fixed up at present,
the appropriations Of the session have
just passed the million dollar mark for
the two years, with some additions to
be MAZE which viii raise the total
thirty to forty thousand dollars higher.
This shows the cost Of running the
State business to be less than si5, GOO
n month, or under 81 800 day not 30
much as ia required to run eome pri-
waite business corporations. And II
m ght be remarked here that II the
same economy were maintained In
county, municipality and local taxes for
other purposes there would be much
less complaint In certain districts than
there Ia ut present about high taxes.
1t may be recalled that the legisla'
tive appropriations ola year ago, which
covered period of one year, were
approx imately at the same annual
rate as those OF this session. Last year
the Legislators pinched and crimped in
every direction, and did most conf
mendable work In responding to the
general demand for economy 10 pub.
lie affairs. This year the Legislators
have pursued similar course. lndeeJ,
If Rny criticism is to be offered on the
financial policy, it Ia that occasionally
1t has inclined too much to stinglness.
The NEWS Always has been opposed
to extravaganza in public expendl'
lures, believing that tendency in
that direction, although it may be
designated by those who favor it as
generous, enterprising and progressive,
ia demoralizing In Its effects upon
municipality OF State; we are also OPP
posed to mourning public indebted
nees, for similar reason and
che added one that u debt-rid-
den community never enjoys the
full fruits OF freedom; and we insist
that good government makes its tax
rate as low as practicable, leaving
to the citizen the largest possible
amount OF his property to operate
with and enjoy. Hence the gtatiiica.
ton that we feel In noting the practi.
cal application OF similar sentiment
in legislative actions. At the same
time we would warn that peuurluus-
ness is not profitable either to the in.
dividunl or the comm1nweplth; that
In au effort TO be upright on the ques.
ton OF economy there Is no good
judgment in leaning backward when
trying to stand straight. The people
want the State Legislators to be eco.
nomicsl, ami so far they have been;
but they are not asked to be niggRrdly,
and should not be.
With firm conviction that In each
appropriation tine Legislature has en-.
,iasv3Ted TO be just accord ing to tue
needs.an thelsbllitglto 0cl, land .thAtthe
general financial policy OF the Assem-
bly, has been in accord gith the Dso.
ple's desire Tor wise economy, We con.
graduate the solona upon their opera,
lions as whole in the financial de.
parlment, and suggest tina, biennia
session Of the Legislature that Will
keep State expenses down 30 close TO
the million dollar mark Tor TIE bust
ness that is carried on lie doing mssl
excellent work.