Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1903-01-15

The credit of the state is unsurpassed
even by the national government. Immi-
grafton is pressing into our state,
Churches and schools are multiplying. In
every arena of business life there is ac-
tivity and Advancement. Already our d.
versitied and opulent resources have at
tracted the most favorable attention OF
the people of this republic and of the
world. Missouri is the industrial prodigy
of the great valley of the Mississippi,
Carved out of that magnificent domain
which the craftsmanship of Thomas JEFF
ferson gave to the American nation, our
state is already the focus of n vast and
increasing In our chief metro
politan city, at the great Worlds eXposi-
tion, Missouri will marshal a display OF
resources without a superior and but few
equals. Indeed, it is almost beyond the
ken of imagination to fully grasp the
mighty possibilities of this wonderful
state.
The condition of the state treasury Is
most satisfactory. On the list of January
1901, there was an available cash bal
ance in the treasury of 81 ,07S, 931. SO belong
ing to the various funds, which total
included Sis, 300. 10 belonging to the state
revenue fund, and $2l7, 1923. As to the state
sinking fund.
The total income of the treasury, from
all sources, for the two years ending jan
uary 1, 1903, was $780, $50, $50. 76; the total
disbursements for the same period being
$9,G31 1855. 5S, The balance to the credit of
the various funds on January !, 1903, was
81, 1898, 400. n, of which $568, 741.W was credit
ed to the state revenue fund and $500,
204. SO to the state sinking fund.
The receipts of the treasury show a
steady growth, due in most most part to
the income arising from the beer in
spection fees and the natural growth and
Increase in the taxable wealth of the
state.
Beer Inspection Fees.
The fees collected under the modified
beer inSDpptiOn law OaSSa1 nv the la ct
general assembly, aggregate $770,613. rs, of
which sol ,34l.93 accrued prior to the pass
age of the amended law, and $3.50, 271. 95
since that law became operative. The
average monthly receipts from inspection
fees is in excess of $25, 600. This law has
fully vindlcated the Judgment of those
who favored its enactment, and has
proved to be a popular and beneficent
measure.
"Whisky Tax"
The act to provide for a state license
tax on distilled liquors, including whisky,
brandy, rum, gin and distilled spirits of
all kinds, wines and all kinds of vinous
liquors." etc, has been declared uncon-
stitutional by the supreme court of Mis-
souri,.
Prior to the decision of that honorable
body, the special license commissioner COL
lected SEQ, 1926, under this law. This
money has been paid into the state treas
ury.
Taxation OF Franchises.
IL l'dlltlllst law, tldtltu Dy InG ldSL
genera assembly. has greatly simplifed
the assessment of public service corpora
items. While franchises were in fact as
sessed prior to the passage of this act,
grave uncertainty existed as to the power
of the state to tax this class of property
under the then existing laws. The new
law leaves no question as to the legality
of the assessment. The assessment of
public service corporations has reached
1920, 900, 900, an increase in the past two
years Of 81, 5000 or more than fifteen
per cent, while the increase in the ASSESS
ment of real and personal property for
the corresponding period Is scarcely five
per cent.
Collateral Inheritance Tax.
The constitutionality Of the act provid-
ing for the taxation of collateral In
~heritances, legacies, gifts and c~onveyances
in certain cases, to provide revenue for
educational purposes, for the maintenance
and support of the Missouri States uni
versity and its departments" has been
sustained by the supreme court.
The first payment into the state treas
ury under this statute was made on the
3lst of January, 1900. Since that date $447,-
034.b1 has been received on this account,
university and $50, 466. "a to the Rolla school
OF mines.
The last general assembly appropriated
$3O4, 700 of this tax for the benefit of the
the interests of the school of mines at
Rolla. These appropriations were addi-
tional to the 1854, 700 appropriated from
the state revenue fund to meet the sal
aries and current expenses of both the
university n the school of mines.
1t is estimated by State Auditor Allen
that the income to the university and
school OF mines under the provisions of
the collateral Inheritance tax law will
not be less than $2O0,0O0 yearly.
Estimated Income.
Auditor Allen also estimates that the
total receipts, into the state treasury, on
account Gf the state revenue find, will
be about $5,500, 900 for the ensuing biennial
period.
I recommend that the appropriations
for all our state institutions be as gener-
GUS as may be, consistent with the rev.
nue of the state. A sound public pol
icy, however, absolutely and infiexibly
commands that the tttal Of the appro-
priations be brought within the limits OF
our estimated revenues.
State Indebtedness.
The outstanding debt Of the state on
january !. 1901, consisted OF $685., 900,
three and one-half per cent. refundine
bonds and "a, 393, S3s.42 school certificates Of
indebtedness Since January !, 1901. S.