The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1909-01-06
LAST MESSAGE
G. CRAWFORD
General [. lew Of Conduct Of
Public Business.
RECOMMENDS MANY CHANGES

Favors Amendment of Several Of the
Existing Statutes in Order to Make
Them More Effective--Rlgid Econ
smy Necessary in Making Appropri-
ations for State Insttutiors-Advo-
Gates Finishing New Capitol Before
Beginning Other Buildings.
Following Is a synopsis of the mes
sage of Hon Coe ]. Crawford, the re-
firing governor:
4 general review of the conduct of the
public business of the state since the
adjournment of the tenth session of
the legislature on March 8, 1907, and
embodylng suggestions and recon-
mendations for consideration by the
eleventh session, now convened, is
herewith submitted to you.
In a young and rapidly growing COM
monwealth like South Dakota, each
succeeding session of the legislature
Is pressed hard by the representatives
of its institutions aud the growing de-
mands Of its officers, as well as by
tine needs of its people, for increased
appropriations. Two years ago the
legislature, in response to insistent
and jealous appeals, based in most
cases upon actual merit, increased the
appropriations considerably above
those made during the years preced-
Ing.
To provide for the payment of the
general appropriations for ordinary
current expenses of the state admins
tration. the state board levied a state
tax Of 2 mills In each of the years
1907 and 1908, and also levied an ad-
ditional mill in 1907 and an additional
mill in 1908 to provide for deficiencies
In revenues; and in 1907, as directed
by the legislature, 1t levied IN mills
for the installation of a twine plant
ut the penitentiary, making she total
ievy of state taxes for 1907. 4A mills,
and for 1908, mills. The end of the
Increased deficit which must be pro.
vided for by deficiency levy in 1909,
and 1t is the duty of this legislature
TO firmly hold the appropriations
within O limit that will enable the
state to keep its expenditures within
It's income and pay it's outstanding
warrants.
Floating Debt over 100000.
The state treasurer's report shows
an increase in our floating indebted
ness during the year just closed of
s202, 2,02000. However, If the coming
session will carefully consider all re-
quests for new buildings and special
appropriations of all kinds, use a rea-
sonable judgment for allowance for
maintenance, we shall, in very short
time pay up all Indebtedness and be
on a cash basis.
Besides the Indebtedness created
during the fiscal year, there are $780,
BOO of revenue warrants outstanding,
bringing the total Indebtedness of the
state to over 100000. These facts
should make it evident that strict
economy in the management of state
affairs Is necessary. Great care
should be taken that the appropria-
tions do not exceed the states rev.
snue. This situation in our finances
Is not an unusual one. 1t has fol-
lowed every legislative session at
which special appropriations have
been made for new buildings.
Notwithstanding the fact that the
constitution has placed firm limit
upon the levies which may be made
tor state revenues, and notwithstand.
Ing the fact that only two years ago
liberal appropriations were made for
new buildings for the institutions, the
reports submitted to the governor for
the biennial period now ending, show
q list of new demands which the con.
dttion of the state finances makes II
and We must not undertake to do all
these things at once. The heads of the
several educational and penal and
charitable institutions, including the
Soldiers home and the boards of con-
troll, recommend special appropriations
amounting In the aggregate to more
than $1,000,000, not including the
amounts recommended by the state
capitol commission as necessary to
enable 1t to complete the erection,
furnishing and equipping of the half
completed building.
Rigid Economy Necessary.
Do you not readily see how impos-
sible 1t is to comply with these re.
quests?
In order that you may more fully
understand the necessity for the most
rigid economy and the pairing down
Of the appropriations. / will, In this
connection, submit a general state.
ment in regard to the capitol build.
ing project
The state capitol commission has
made q full and detailed report Of its
nEocedlngs up to the date when. under