The Green Forest tribune., 1912-08-30
SAYS ARKANSAS
 FINANCE IS BAD Robinson Makes Speech at Van Buren Telling of States
 Condition.
WOULD PAY OFF THE DEFICIT
Borrow Money and Establish Sinking Fund Is ggestion-Appropria
 tions Are Popular.

Western Newspaper Union News Service.
 Van Buren.-Congressman Joe T. Robinson, Democratic nominee for governor, opened his campaign in this city speaking to an audience com- posed of 1000 people. He discussed the financial condition of the state at length. saying:
 The most important and complicat- ed problem to be solved during the next administration is that involving the states finances.
 T want the people of Arkansas to fully realize the adverse conditions un. der which 1 assume the governorship For several years the general revenue fund from which we maintain the state government, the educational and charitable institutions of the state, has been running behind. When my term of office begins there will be deficit of probably half million dollars. In- stead of having a surplus on hand or the necessary funds to conduct the government, the present administra- ton will leave the incoming admins tration debt of the enormous sum mentioned. l am responsible for it's payment and at the same time meet the current expenses of the state My responsibility in the matter is so great and the task is so important that I seek the counsel and invite the co. operation of every citizen. Let us ad- wise together and find the best method of correcting the abuses in our states financial system.9
 "The plan which I propose is simple and fair.
 First, let us borrow money, if ne- cessary at as low rate as possible, snd pay off this deficit in the general revenue, providing for th gradual pay ment of the loan through sinking fund. This would enable my admin istration to start even. A double safe guard can be adopted to prevent de- ficits from arising hereafter. We should limit appropriation to the probable revenues and at the same time provide for the levying of such a rate for the general revenue fund as will meet the appropriations actually made. This is done in many states and admirably
 Nothing is more popular than ap. propriating public money Nothing is more unpopular than raising taxes. Yet all men of sense know that when any appropriation is made revenues to meet it must be collected. TGe greater the appropriation the higher must taxes be. A legislator under our present system can popularize him. self by advocating and voting appro- priations greatly in excess of the revenue. When, however, it is made clear to the public that the sole power to authorize it's expenditure, is vested in the legislature, it at once becomes clear that appropriations should be confined within the limit of funds available to pay them, and the rate so adjusted that no deficit will occur
 ''It is important that the state gov ernment be conducted on a cash basis. No argument is required to establish this assertion. In order to do this the revenue must at least equal the ap- propriations. Nothing but injury can come to the state by failure to promptly and couragesouly readiust it's finances It must be done at some time, and the sooner it is accomplish ed, the better for the good name of the state. I invite the fullest consid- eration and discussion of this i'm. portant matter.