The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1905-01-14

rent expense on the part OF the superin-
tendents and boards OF our state insti-
tutions, but II is quite probable that a
generous decrease can be permitted
from the large sums they have thought
advisable to suggest for extension and
new building purposes.
During the last six fiscal years there
has been expended for special appro-
priations, such as for buildings, furnish
ings and for the purchase of additional
grounds, at the several state institu-
tions, the sum of $2,755,416, or nearly
as much as was expended during the IA
fiscal years prior to that time. Expendi-
lures In this direction have increased
more rapidly than the population Of our
state. and even beyond the demands
which increased attendance at our edu-
cational institutions, or the larger de-
mands upon our asylums and prisons,
might seem to necessitate.
Through recent review OF the items
and aggregate of the appropriations
made by the last legislature, my atten-
ton was directed to the fact that the
appropriations for some of our state
institutions and state commissions have
been included in what Is known as
general purpose tax, the items Of which
were probably not fully considered by
the legislative appropriation commit
tees. 1t would be best to have the gen.
eral purpose bill include only such lines
of expenditure as could not well be
definitely provided for through legis-
lative action. It Is best to have thor
ough consideration given to every pro-
posed expenditure, and, inasmuch as
including some expenditures under a
general heading prevents consideration
of each item, would urge that every
board and institution be placed in the
list OF appropriations requiring special
action and a definite appropriation.
Our economy should not proceed to
the extent of penuriousness, but as rep
resentatives of the people we must keep
in mind our promise, made in good faith,
that we should conduct the affairs of
this state along conservative business
lines. We must and should act in ac-
cordance with what we know to be an
existing desire in the directions which
have suggested. AS representatives of
the people you are bound to be able to
justify and explain every item of ex-
penditure passed upon by you.
State Taxation.
After many years of strenuous con-
fiict, in which every phase of the ques-
ton of taxation was discussed, it was
decided, and popularity decided, that this
great problem should be worked out
through a state tax commission. The
labors of several years and the expendi-
ture of large amount of money have
followed, and yet the work of the COM
mission is far from being complete. 1t
would be unwise at this time to abandon
a work so we'll advanced, and yet so far
from completion. More time and more
money would be required to institute a
new system, with no certainty of better
results. do believe, however, that the
expense of the present system should
be greatly reduced and that this could
be best brought about and better results
obtained by the reduction of the num-
Der of commissioners from Ave to three.
Business experience has shown every
where that whenever the best practical
results are to be obtained, with the ut
most promptness of action, a respon-
sible board of three members can accom-
plish more than any greater number.
At the present time the local assess
ments of about one-half of the counties
| of the state have been Systematically re-
viewed by the present commission. 1t
is absolutely necessary that this work
| be completed for the entire state before
the next meeting of the state board OF
equalization, IL that board is to derive
such practical benefit from the work of
the commission as the people have a
right to expect.
| recommend that the powers of the
tax commission be curtailed in some
respects. With the fixing of the aggre-
gate assessment of the realty of the
township or other legal subdivision, the
work of the commission should cease,
and the spreading of that assessment
over the township or other legal subdivi-
sion should be done by the local assess
ing officer. 1t is impossible for any COM
mission or its employees satisfactorily
to examine every piece of realty in the
state, and, again. any attempt to make
| specific assessments or to raise or lower
ON a percentage or other basis the prop
erty of township or other legal subdi-
vision, must of necessity be inexact and
unjust. Numerous instances of the in
| justice Of this method Of procedure are
to be cited in theNwork of the commits
sion in the rural districts Of this state
during the past year
Railroad Legislation.
The taxes assessed by the state OF
| Michigan upon the railroads of the
state, for the last seven years, as shown
| by the records in the auditor generals
Office, are as follows:
| 1850. ......s.'.''.......'.' $olS'oS W
| 1888. ..............s........ I,UJl,o<o ~
| l@O. ....................... l,24UI45 ~
| lOl ........................ I,3o6,o5l 30
| lNZ.... l,4oS,U0 10
| lWS.. 5,Zoo, loI 70
| lg4.. 3,756, l49 "
| The railroads, contending that the
taxes for 1903 and 1904 are grossly ex-
| oo.ctya koyn haurn In ,,n cti<y, vrncaad-