Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1898-01-26

vate collections Of great value, and
Of greater interest, can be secured
without expense. conditioned only
that the state arrange for their pro-
lection, where the public can be
benefited thereby. If it be true that
we are proud of our state and of its
history; if the names of the pioneers
who have builded cities, defended
the honor of the flag, or occupied
conspicuous positions in the councils
OF the nation are dear to us, should
not the preservation of that which
pertains thereto be matter of pub
lie solicitude?
The last general assembly appro-
priated $4,000 with which to pur-
chase grounds and erect an histor-
ical and art museum. An adjoining
state, with less population, and
$500, 900 900 less taxable property,
and with a state debt five times
ours, has appropriated $3.50. 900 for a
like purpose. To pay this a special
levy of one zenith of mill for seven
years has been provided.
There are many things which the
state, in view of it's existing debt
and insufficient revenues, cannot
afford to do, and some others not
withstanding conditions which it
cannot afford to omit. The son who
has inherited a fortune is inexcusa-
BILE if he neglect to erect a monu-
ment to his parents, even though he
transcend for the time his current
income. Will this generation be
able to excuse itself to the next who
shall ignore its opportunity and
permit to be turned into other
channels the historic papers and
relics now in the possession Of men
whose years give notice that they
70 n =,
in the hands of the immediate de-
scendants of those who have recent
ly departed.
Iowa is fortunate above any Of
her adjoining sisters, and above
nearly every state in the union in
her financial condition. Much alarm
has been expressed because of a
small state debt. This should by all
means be discharged at the earliest
possible moment. She has certainly
seen more prosperity than most
states, and she owes it to herself,
under ordinary conditions, to keep
out of debt. And when a debt has
been contracted, as at present, be-
cause of extraordinary circum-
stances, it ought to be paid as soon
as possible, even at the expense Of a
slightly increased levy. Our people,
in common with those of every
Sldle anu VI every COuDlTy anu OI
every time, complain of high taxes,
and its has become quite popular to
attribute the excessive burden to
mismanagemen in state affairs.
The aggregate taxes collected for
all purposes within the state is, in
round numbers, $19,000,000. OF this
only about per cent goes TO the
state. Ninety-two per cent Is alb
sorbed at home. Assuming that all
railroad taxes are paid by residents
of the state, and it swells our aggre-
gate taxation to between So and SO
per capita, Of which about 60 cents
reaches the state treasury. Should
the state levy be increased to mills
1t would make a per capita differ
ence of 21a cents. To decrease the
levy to 21a mills would save SO cents
to the man whose annual tax Is $50.
To increase it to 8 mills would add
20 cents to his annual tax.
1t has occurred to me that no one
can very certainly tell to what ex-
tent our state taxes can be de-
creased. 1t will be matter Of felic-
itation If it can be reduced to PA
mills, but am not prepared, at this
time, to promise more than a good
faith attempt. Taxes are too nigh
only when an expenditure is made
which is needless, or excessive. They
are never too high when the affairs
of state are economically admins
tered. when no more departments
are maintained than the demands
of the state require, when no more
Improvements to state institutions
are made than are necessary, and
when all revenues are honestly COL
lected and faithfully applied to the
purposes for which they were desig-
mated. / shall, indeed, be glad to
see my adopted state return during
my administration to the pay as
you go" principle. There is little
that we can bequeath to our chill
dren more depressing in effect than
debt. 1t is doubtful, however, il the
state levy can be appreciably re-
duced; certainly not If the custom
shall continue Of annually lowering
the assessed valuation of the prop
erty of the state. That this expe-
dent for reducing taxes has been
resorted to in the past is most ap-
parent. In 1871 the cattle Of the
state bore an average assessment
of S13.37. This has been gradually
decreased until IL 1895 it reached
$496. Horses in 1874 were assessed
at $42.67, and in 1897 at $11.S1. The
live stock in Iowa was assessed
$4,000, 900 less in 1897 than in 1889. A
state levy of 2R mills even upon
this amount would have yielded
SAT, 500 per annum. The assessed
valuation Of live stock has been re-
duced q per cent since 1898; other
personal property Az per cent, and
railroad property a fraction over
one per cent. Assessed valuations
must be maintained or increased
levies must follow. The expense Of
state administrations do not in
crease simply because properly Is
undervalued by the assessors. On
the contrary, the expense OF the
state has grown constantly, and In
some items rapidly. The number or
inmates Of all our state institutions
has very materially increased. and
in several has more than doubled
since 1890.
Whatever may be the sequel Of
the next two years, 1t is pleasure
to succeed an administration
against which no whisper Of dishon-
esty has been heard, and one as re-
lated to all matters Of public duty.
admittedly worthy of emulation.
Much has been said in SOME sec
tons of the state, but none too
much, about the application of BUSH
ness principles to state affairs. All
this meets my most hearty ap-
prevail. Will any forbid me the pre-
sumption that we are all, without
regard to party, intensely interested
in the success Of this administra-
tion.. / can assure you that / am
and to that end / desire the assist
ance of every good citizen. Permit
me, then, to suggest that Ii will not
evidence good business methods on
AA arf nf he ,.,,lN1 70 Eft