Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-05-06

which had the satisfaction OF pre-
siding over the destinies Of that COM
mittee, when we made a levy of
mills for state purposes and hall
mill for buildings at the educational
institutions. This policy left us with
handsome surplus in the state treas
ury.
But I desire to reiterate what
have said before that the amount OF
money in the state treasury at any
one time is mmaterial. The state OF
Iowa, like the individual. wants the
things that money will buy. I was at
Fonda the other day and was told
that in that village of thousand pop
ulation they have the past year built
q church costing $4,000, another cost
ing 100000 and a school house costing
$40, 000--approximately 100000 in
vested in one year. 1t is fair ito as
sumo. that before spade full Of dirt
was thrown there was in the hands of
the treasurer's of building committees
the money necessary to pay for them.
A look at the books after the dedf-
cation would probably show there was
not much money on hand.
But there could not, because of this
fact, be any reasonable accusation
against the builders, any charge of ex-
travagance, for there were the build
ings rejecting in substantial way great
credit on those having responsibility
for CARRYING out the wishes of the peo-
pie. The treasures were probably
empty, but the buildings stand as mon
uments of the wisdom, generosity and
integrity of the people. They will stand
for years to do the work appreciated
by all thoughtful men. 1t would be
gance to the present state administra-
ton for having invested your money
in building and lands to the extent Of
six million dollars.
1.-The chairman Of the appropriations
committee of the senate at the last
session. patriotic as well as one of
the best business men of the state,
one who has made a success OF every
undertaking he has personally had to
do with, refused, absolutely refused, to
levy tax upon you that there might
be vast accumulation of money to be
deposited in banks in Des Moines that
they might in turn lend it to you at
greatly Increased interest If the state
has not this excessive accumulation
you are to be congratulated. 1t is worth
considering how fiscal affairs are man
aged in Iowa. In a number of states
1t is the custom to farm the states
out among influential bankers
of the state. This has increased the
incentive on their part to have taxes
increased Incidentally I might say
that have known Of an increase OF
school taxes in "a district to an unnec-
essary degree for the purpose of max
ing a greater accumulation in the
hands of the treasurer of the district
because he was MAN of great inf1u-
ence.
There is a law in Iowa and wise
one think, providing that none Of the
funds of the state shall be deposited
outside OF Des Moines. This almost
wholly removes the incentive cited be-
fore. Under the influence Of Cover
nor Cummins there was placed on the
statute books a law requiring banks
to pay interest for the use of state
funds, and while this persistency on
the part of the governor it Is said has
brought to him the opposition of some
very influential people in the capital
city. the fact remains that it is not
good business that you, the people of
This county. should be required to pay
nto the state funds in excess Of the
OBJ the state. 1t is not a
sir business proposition. There should
not be criticism of the legislature be-
'ause 1t refused to levy a tax to raise
| sum in excess of the actual needs Of
he state.