The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1908-01-24
BIG F

Sioux Falls Argus Leader: The
wicked stawla1ts made rather a
better record in administering the
finances of the state that the boast
full but Incompetent reformers have
been able to score. The stalwarts
kept appropriations and taxes down,
and as the result of their wise
financial administration. the state
was turned over to Mr.. Crawford on
the first of last January without a
bonded debt. and with money
enough to pay every penny OF the
floating debt.
Then came the e%xtravagant appro-
priations of the last legislature. The
total for the biennial period will be
81, 22O, 223. 81. In this is figured
nothing for the Irvine plant or for
the new capitol. nov being con-
structed of Minnesota stone dressed
by Minnesota labor at st. Paul, and
shipped back to Pierre. The amount
covers only the expense Of running
the state under a reform administra-
ton. The levy for that purpose. is
seven mills for the two years. three
the first year and four the second.
Even on the increased assessment,
and should every dollar of the state
taxes levied be paid, there will be a
deficiency for the two years ofs4OO, 225.
With the average amout Of unpaid
taxes. the deficit viii. come to bali a
million dollars for the two years, and
perhaps 1t may be found necessary
to again issue bonds, or in the
absence of that course. the state will
have to pay a largely increased
interest charge. IL may be that the
assessment or farm lands will again
be boosted next year in which event
the deficit could be reduced, but it
is certain that the reformers will
spend more money for the two years
Than they can secure from taxation.
and this means Of course that they
are running the state In debt,
whereas the stalwarts had kept
appropriations and taxes down. and
had been paying the debt.
In addition to this, Mr.. Crawford
caused to be submitted to the people
a PROPOSITION to take of all constitu-
tional restrictions from the taxing
power of the state. II this should
carry taxes would be boosted still
higher for state purposes, and the
temptation to extravagant expendi-
lures would be still more increased.
II also the reformers get endorse
ment for their proposition to invest
5000 600 In a money. wasting state
printing plant which they desire the
deficit will be still more Increased.
or taxes will be boosted still higher.
In view of this situation, the
farmers OF the state, will want to
know Why Mr.. era Words board Of
equalization, made up of bankers,
reduced the bank assessment, and
why In some counties the farm tax
for state purposes was Increased
more than thirteen times as much as
the tax on railroad property. MI.
Crawford. in his letter of announce
ment, defends this miserable business
and says 1t was only done to
s.equalize'' things. This only means
that the stalwart administration
was taxing the farmers too little In
comparison with the bankers and
the railroads. and that 1t is :or the
taxpaying farmers OF the state to
tell Mr.. Crawford what they think
Of Il.
It is argued III defense: Of Nr..
that the twinespiant:wa vas
what caused the trou olet .Thtssis i
plain and unsarnished untrlthL.. rhe
twine plant appropriation Is not 10.
clnded In this total bnt that Is to be
met by . special levy voyed for that
special purpose BY the people. 1t IL
simply . case OF spending more money
than 10 levied to meet 1t. and this
means aud must always mean that
We are running into debt. viii Mr..
lCrawford cease the use Of billings
gate and cheap appeal to prejudice
ilong enough tn talk facts to the
people.