The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1902-11-29
A Practical Program.
Monmouth, Nov. 9th.

/ Monmouth, Nov. 9Th.
A Practical Program.
In the face of demand for $500 900
for the Portland fair and 100000 to
| pay the Indian war veterans, how
would it do to sum up what might
be saved by business program in the
/ legislature? Here is what might be
done in the way of retrenchment, If
there were a majoritYSof the lawmak.
ers so disposed
Possible
Saving
Fees and salaries Of state Of
fcials, now $1S2, $500. .s102, $50
Clerkship expense of last leg.
isature, $4,000 ......... 10000
Colleges, normal schools,-uni
versity, 1851 400 ......... POI ,409
Coyote scalp bounty, two
years estimated ...,... 250,000
Total saving possible in two
years ....,. 80. ........ $bb4,ObJ
Add income from properly
framed tax on franchises
and corporations not now
taxed .........,.. ......... 26O 600
Total to offset increased
demands on the treasury .sS14,069
,hf 40. "a
Senator Booth has interested himself in
the matter The state derived SOS, 900
from the gross earnings on insurance
companies for the past two years.
There is no reason why other untaxed
corporations should not pay at tho
same rate.
II the Legislators would take up
such, a business program the state
might have revenues for the proposed
fair and the Indian war veterans, and
at the same time have lower taxes.
Now that there are additional de.
mands made on the taxpayers, the
question OF increasing revenues and
OF saving from waste all that can be
saved again becomes important. This
paper has been engaged for the past
year in showing the extravagances and
unbusiness-like character OF our state
government. While the facts and the
necessity for reform were recognized
in all the state platforms. the new
state government will be inaugurated
In January with a prospect that no
change can be effected for four years |
to come, because the regular sessions |
VIII have little or no jurisdiction 10 |
change salaries, after officials enter
upon the term for which they are
elected. With a deadlock probable
during the entire session, there will be
little or no chance for reform meas.
nres' The average state revenue re.
luired for seven years, including 1901.
was $64O175. The amount required
Tor 1902 was $1,1OO,7l8, and 10 raise
mis- required the highest state tax ey.
er levied In Oregon. The total state
AK in Oregon is twelve mills and over.
including the Ave mills school tax. In
spite OF this, the people elect a legls.
ature OF the same political complexion
md they have little relief TO expect.
IL Is very doubtful n the Granges
an stop the Portland fair appropria.
ION These matters are generally nut
hrough by a very few people. But the
'range can demand that more reven.
les shall come, as In other states, from
ldlrect taxes. In Oregon nothing has
cen done In this line, while more and
lore taxes have been heaped I'D
galnst tangible property. until 9S per
ent OF the entire state revenues are
alsed by direct taxation on property
nd tangible property. like land. i'm.
roYements, live stock and merchan.
lse have 10 stand for the whole bur
en- practically, The Granger should
op merely passing resolutions Of OBJ.
'ction 10 this and that. bat should
IKE mp and adyocateSthe sources Of /
venue as well as Indicate what they
ere opposed TO- Oregon needs oppo.
non 10 The gratis but Oregon needs
so a constructive statesmanshlp in 1.
.ese public policies. We have sent :
a. POLK county friend a bupdI. ,f 90.