Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1901-01-10
GOVERNOR LEES LAST
LEGISLATIVE MESSAGE
In His Exaugural Address He Discusses the State
Institutions and Finances-Reveiws Past
Practices and Makes Suggestions.
Some Severe Structures OH Persons Formerly i'm Off
Cial Positions in South DakOta---A Resume of
What TRANSFERRED During His Term

ored, by the use Of chemicals 10 destroy
the evidence of the offense. The
amount of this shortage on interest re-
ceived from various banks was esti-
mated to ne over $500 | placed the
findings Of the pubic examiner before
the last legislature and the attorney
general. Both made the treasurer's
offense their own by neglecting to pro-
tect the public interests. This money
is still due the state and should be col
lected.
Reforms should be instituted in the
treasurer's Office.
First, the official should be paid a
salary commensurate with his respon-
sibility.
Second, He should be compelled to
furnish a bond from some approved
guarantee company in the full amount
or his liability At present he gives a
bond for $3.50 900, half the usual bal
ance constantly in his hands, and one
quarter the money collected and dis
bursed during the year.
Third, a depository law should &c
enacted to force the banks t. pay in
terest on state deposits or else the
funds should be locked up in the
states own vaults. A depository law
was attempted by the legislature, but
it was so imperfect that felt COM
PEELED to d%isapprove it in the hope that
a good measure would be passed in the
future. Why should the state con
stantly pay and never receive inter
est? Private individuals with large
money holdings get interest on their
deposits. The state can do the same IL
nm hnnnCf nannoIIen 10 pnaand and thu
state treasurer faithfully enforces the
law. So long as it is possible for the
treasurer to personally profit by the
use of public funds, 1T will be out of
the question to enforce any depository
law. This annoying and unbusiness-
like method should be n of the first
duties of the Legislature to correct.
There can be no good reason offered
why a state treasurer should be per-
mitted to enjoy a sinecure by which
he makes from S12 900 to $4,000 per
year at the expense of the people.
There has been a reduction in the
state debt by bond payments during
the last two years amounting to $24S,-
900, the total state debt being 1913 300
OF June 80 last, After repeated de-
mands from the executive, the present
treasurer followed the precedent of his
predecessor and took up s95 900 in
bonds July ] last, illegally issued for a
longer period than ten years. This to-
gether with $50, 900 that was paid on
June "a, 1899, makes a saving of $780,
| 900 in interest for the ten years the
bonds in question would otherwise
have run. The %treasurer's report
shows cash on hand belonging to the
bond interest and sinking fund and
the special sinking funds to the
amount of $72,4Ss.91; when this
amount Is deducted from the outstand-
ing bonds ite leaves the states net in
debtedness $40, S11.0 1t is to be
hoped this policy of bond paying, which
| have insisted on In the past, W.. be
vigorously carried on until South Da-
kota is out of debt.
The enormity of the delinquent state
taxes ought To arrest the attention oil
the legislature and suggest some effort
to collect the same, cs we'll as to pro
vide against future delinquencies. The
auditor reports $30S ,207 "a delinquent
June 80, 1900, more than half enough
to cancel our entire bonded debt. The
fault primarily Is with the counties
Many are negligent In making collec,
lions. IL each county was made liable
to the state, for the state taxes levied
on property within its borders, and
proper penalties affixed for neglect u
remit the tax to the state treasurer
within a specified time, / believe the
abuse would end.
The defalcation OF ~ex-Treasurer w
w. Taylor still remains a source of re-
greet, During the last year $7,779.22 has
been realized from the sale and leases
of lands acquired from Taylor in at
tachment proceedings. Further col
lections will be tedious II they are pos
sible, In all SAC, 54i,66 has been re,
allied, and there still remains a deb
of s220.S42.54 to remind us of the IN,
fortunate hour when he was elected Il
fill our highest position of financia
responsibility.
APPROPRIATIONS AND REVENUE
So long as the present system ot
taxation prevails the question Of reve'
nue. will be a difficult one In South Da
kota. We are forced to buiid our state
institutions with a view to the ever in
creasing demands of this young ant
growing state, and expenditures have
more than kept pace with the increase
in property heretofore subjected u
taxation. AS a consequence WI have
been borrowing next years revenues
and paying interest upon them, to meeI
this years expenses. The heads of thu
various public institutions are asking
for appropriations which will exceet
in the aggregate $3.50, 900. This sun
is preater than the total expense oI
maintaining the state during any pre-.
yious biennial period prior to 1899
The auditor advises that we may *.
pect a deficit before the close Of the
fiscal year ending July /, 1901, amount
ing TO from $780, 900 to 5000, 900. IL
meet this large deficit three ways art
open.
/. Register warrants at a nigh rate
of interest and take them up as rap.
idly as the incoming revenues viii
permit.
2. Issue bonds which will lower II
immediate interest rates, are cos!liel
In the end than registering warrants
: s. The most business like way is I,