The Montgomery tribune., 1902-04-18
STATE FUNDS
MlSAPPROPRiATED


has enabled the editor to present
the proof of the correctness OF the
position heretofore assumed by
the State Republican, that the
party in power has misappropri-
ated the trust funds placed in its
charge during the last p years
OF course, the state fiscal officers.
including the fund commissioners,
as well as the Legislature, are
proved guilty by the Official re-
cords.
In statement signed by A. NJ.
Dockery, governor, that appeared
in the State Republican of Novem-
Der \, 1901, there occurs the follow
ing item:
The tax authorized by the sixth
section of the ordinance adopted
June q, is65, Is hereby abolished,
and hereafter there shall be levied
and collected an annual tax suill-
cicnt to pay the accruing interest
upon the bonded debt of the state,
and to reduce the principal thereof
each year bv IA sum not less than
$3.50, 900, the proceeds of which tax
shall be paid into the state treasury
and Appropriated and paid out for
the purposes expressed In the first
and second subdivision OF section
%, article 1, of this constitution.
The funds aud resources now in
the state interest aud sinking funds
shall be appropriated to the same
purpose, and whenever said debt
Is extinguished, or u sum sufficient
therefor has been raised, the tax
provided for In this section shall
cease To be assessed.
First and second subdivision of
section ~, article 4. referred to
above, reads as follows;
First-For the payment OF all
interest upon the bonded debt OF
the state that may become due
during the term for which each
general assembly is elected.
Second-For the benefit of the
sinking fund, which shall not be
less annually than s21O,O0U.
In addition to this, We find sec
ton $ In the language following;
Until the general assembly
shall make provision ior the pay
mcnt OF the state and railroad in
/ dcbtcdncss OF the state, In pursu-
ancc OF section IL, article 10, of
this constitution, there shall be
, levied and collected an annual tax
OF one-hith OF one per centum on
all real estate aud other property
and effects, subject to taxation,
the proceeds OF which shall be APP
piled to the payment OF the inter-
est on the bonded debt OF this
state, as IL natures, and the sur
plus, II any, shall be paid into the
sinking fund, and thereafter APP
piled to the payment or such In
dcbtcdness and to no other pur-
pose.
BY these several provisions the
people of Missouri authorize the
levying OF tax upon themselves
for specific purpose-namely
for the payment OF interest and
principal of the bonded debt OF the
state, and for no other. They also
provide, explicitly, that the author
ity to levy this tax shall cease as
soon as this purpose is accom-
plished, "or sum sufficient there
for has been raised
OF course, II requires no argu'
mcnt To show that the use of thii
money for some other purpos'
than the one here so definitely ex'
pressed, such as the payment o
, interest upon school certificates o
Indebtedness, IL missappropria
ton; nor yet, that the effect o
this misappropriation is to pro
long the time that the people will
be subject to this tax.
In other words, the people ar
paying 10 cents on the 500 valua
ton, have paid it for years an
will continue to pay it indefinitel,
in the face of the direct and ex
plicit command in their own con
stitution, that "this tax shall ceas
to be assessed whenever SAID del
Estate bonded) is extinguished,
!. which would have been done man
years ago II the interest tax ha
been honestly applied to the pun
n pose for which the people In the