The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-01-05
GOVERNOR BUDD's. MESSAGE.

= ONERNOR BUDD'S message is so long that
I comparatively lew people will read it. yet it
~ has sufficient strength to support It's weight
and viii we'll repay the attentive and careful study OF
all who take an intelligent interest in public affairs
Moreover, It is q message which can be read with
than ordinary qualification since 1t records no
table reforms and improvements in the conduct OF the
affairs OF the commonwealth and suggests others
which might be wisely adopted.
The salient feature OF the message is the showing
made OF increased economy in the State government
To achieve this the Governor points out that his
vetoes Tor the sessions OF 1895 and 1897, inclusive
amounted to S442I,2Io, and OF this he says over
four millions is a saving the people. The record IS
which the taxpayers as we'll the Governor can
regard with no little satisfaction.
On the subject OF taxation generally the message
has much 10 say, and considerable space is given TO
suggestions in the direction OF tax reform. Under
our present system the rate OF the levy is the
hands OF the Board OF Equalization rather than in that
OF the Legislature. II the Equazers place high
valuation upon the property OF the State the rate
required to raise given amount OF revenue will be
low in comparison with the required to raise
equal if the valuation is lowered
During the past four years the Equalizers have al
teratey lowered and raised the assessment and the
Governor asserts that this year certain members OF
Supervisors suggesting they ask for reduction in
the valuation in their counties. and many counties
were reduced The evil resulting from such a condi-
ton OF affairs is stated as follows:
"A high tax rate is injurious TO any State because
people abroad seeking investment ask the rate and
do understand the that have led Board OF
Equalization to play battledore and shuttlecock with
State values. They do not understand the combna-
tons of Equ2lizers. They do understand however,
that the constant shrnkage OF values would ordinarily
indicate retrogading instead OF progressing State
and that low tax rates destroy property as basis for
loans"
The Call has pointed out the advantages which
would result from such change in the laws as would
require Equalizers TO be chosen by the people OF the
State at large instead OF by districts and the facts sub
mtted by the Governor strengthen the argument for
the suggested reform. The message, however, advo-
Gates wider innovation, and proposes complete re-
modelling OF Our tax system. Some striking instances
are given to show the injustice OF the present system
and the extent to which personal property escapes
taxation.
Another important recommendation is the creation
OF Central State Board to consist OF the Governor
and State officers to have general charge OF max
ing contracts Tor State buildings and to regulate sala
res and number OF employees etc. in State insttu-
tons. Such board would enable many. reforms to
be carried out which now impossible because OF
the lack OF all authority 10 enforce them.
Hardly any department or branch of the State
government is overlooked in the message and wher-
ever evils noted we'll considered reforms are sug
gested. It is a state paper which should be thor
oughy studied by the legislators. for many OF the
concentrations made ought to be carried out at this
session.