The Ellensburg dawn. [volume] (Ellensburg, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1910-09-08
MOST W|LFUL
extravaganza
EVERYWHERE

O1< VI TIA, Ocpl. J. II
yesterday, former tax commission
or and now candidate for legisla-
tive nomination from Pierce coun-
ty. said today:
A blind man can see that the
paramount state issue is one of
lower taxes. This state enjoys
the distinction of paying twice as
much for government as any other
state in the Union. Six years ago
where it cost Us s. 900 900. Are
we getting value received for this
tremendous difference? We are
far from being on cash basis AMI
even the school debt has crept up
until today the bonded debt of the
school districts amounts to more
than S35 for each school child.
am familiar with every de-
partment of government from the
highest to the lowest, and every in
stitution in the state, | know their
needs, desires and extravaganza
and am prepared to say that each
and every one of them is costing
more money than it should If
any one takes issue with this state
ment, shall be pleased to furnish
bill of particulars or discuss the
matter publicly.
1t has been publicly stated by
a part of the administration that a
number of new boards of commits
sioners should be created AS a
probable member of the next legis-
lature, wish it distinctly under
stood that | am unalterably oppos-
ed to the creation Of any more Of
fees. 1t is a fundamental truth
that all armies ohould have some
privates, and it is equally true
that the state should not be wholly
composed Of officers. Instead of
creating new offices, there are a
number of Offices that could be "a
polished or consolidated with great
cay.i,,o 70 tho State
In the past few weeks we have
had an object lesson of millions of
dollars worth of property being
destroyed by forest fires. From
this source we have more to fear
and dread than from foreign inva-
sion or the yellow peril. Our militia
that is costing the state millions of
dollars could not serve a better
purpose than to be subject TO call
as all organized body to resist fire
and flood.
| have talked with a number
of the guard and they approve of
this proposed measure as being an
relaxation from their more strenu-
Gus duties.
One of the constant and great
drains upon the taxpayers is our
criminal ConviCts. At the present
time, in round numbers, we have
900 convicts, hardened in sin
and sinew, that, exclusive of costs
of apprehension and conviction,
are drain upon the state of $500
each day. want these convicts
to at least earn their grub 1t is
up to the state board of control to
cypher out some method of making
them do it. The board will have
my hearty support at all times in
its effort to reach this end.
There are but few new laws
that i'll my judgment should be
enacted, but there are hundreds
that should be repealed. If I
could have my way, l would de-
vote the entire session to repeating
the many cumbersome, unconst-
tutional and expensive laws of past
legislatures.
In our civic affairs we are suf-
fering from too many so-called
business men trying to play politics.
We have Jared better under the
rule of politicians with good bust
ness sense than the present
know that it is unpopular and un-
fashionable to be called a politi-
clan, but for fear that the species
should become extinct, am will