The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-09-22

The increased appropriations which
account largely for the increase in
state taxes in the main went 20 the
support of the state educational in
stitutions, the State university and the
State Agricultural college both re-
ceiving more than their usual allot-
ment.
Anlrine's Defense.
The best article that has yet ap-
peared in defense of the state adminis-
tratiOn in the matter of increased
taxes was written by NJ. F. Amrine,
member of the last legislature from
Morris county. and now assistant exc
cutive clerk in the governors office.
Mr.. Amrine, who is also editor of the
Council Grove Guard. prints the fol-
lowing in his paper on the subject OF
higher taxes:
''Of course state taxes have increas-
ed. No one denies it, least of all Gov
ernor Stubbs. 1t is no fault of his.
Taxes are governed by legislative ap-
preparations. Appropriations are gov
erned by the needs of the state, pre-
sented by the different boards, COM
missions, and individuals responsible
for state work. Legislative commit
tees investigate The legislature must
make appropriations. The governor is
it is well known the last legislature
had a substantial majority against
Governor Stubbs and his policies.
Hammer Them Down."
IF ever a state official gave appro-
priations personal attention to make
them represent needs, Governor
Stubbs did last winter. His daily in
junction to friends on the committee
was. BE sure you keep these. amounts
hammered down to actual needs"
When consulted on bills carrying ap-
preparations for new propositions his
almost invariable reply was. "Cut it
out. Have not had time to look into it
and until I do, I should not approve
IT. Not a member of the ways and
means committee of either house but
realized this position of the governor
time and again during the session.
Friends of the governor met it more
often because they consulted him
more.
w. 4. White Turned Down.
''Emporia wanted a s15O,OOO new
Normal auditorium William Allen
White made special trip to urge it,
White could, if anybody could Stubbs
told White he had looked up the mat
tire. He thought adequate fire escapes
en the present building, not a new
building, was the need. He would
not and did not agree to the new
building. That settled it.
Lawrence Pleas UnavaiIing.
Same with the state university within
shadow of the governors home The
bill was cut more than S2oo
600 and no amount of pleading on the
0el2nhOTS
duced him to interfere He promntIv
signed the reduction when it came to
him
Board of Control Economy.
Everyone around the legislature knew
Governor Stubbs called in the board of
control and persuaded them to red1ca
their budget nearly $256. 600 for the
charitable institutions. This. not in a
spirit of parismony, hut in Il strict bust
ress spirit. trying to leave out what
can be left out of an expense Too
often the spirit has been to get in all
that can be gotten in. The governor
cid not have his way in all cases and
70 credit should be given him belong
IL G to faithful. conscientious commit
tee members, but he was ALWAYS avail
able when more pressure was wanted
to reduce large and more or less un-
necessary expenditures. No honest man
In touch with The legislature last win
ter will attempt to say otherwise.
Books of house ways and means COM
inittee show more than s.. 600 600 cut |
cut of bills and refused. Books of the
senate show similar situation. Moth
Ing can be more unfair than to saw the
governor is to blame. if appropriations
are higher.
State Taxes Increased Least.
But aside from the increase of an
proprladoEs and the politics which ex-
plotting this Fact is supposed to work |
n favor of enemies of Stubbs. there
are other considerations. All taxes
nave increased. but state taxes least
oil f7f =.