The Van Buren press., 1912-08-31
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 Suggestion-Approprla-
tons Are Popular.
Western NewSpapee Union News Service.

Western NewSpapes 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
he 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.
q want the people Of Arkansas to
fully realize the adverse conditions un.
der which | assume the goyernorship
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 defici,
Of probably a 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 a debt of the enormous sum
mentioned. | am responsible for its
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 |
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"
THE plan which propose is simple
and fair.
First, let us borrow money, II ne
cessary, at as low a rate as possible,
and pay off this deficit in the general
revenue, providing for the gradual pay
ment Of the loan through a sinking
fund. This would enable my admin
istratlon 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 leyying Of such
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 !.
more unpopular than raising taxes
Yet all men of sense know that wheT
any appropriation is made revenue,
to meet II must be collected, The
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 tn,
revenue. when, however II Is made
clear to the public that the sole powol
TO authorize its expenditure, is yegteC
in the legislature, It at once becomes
clear that appropriations should b,
confined within the limit Of fund
available to pay them, and the rate $,
adjusted that no deficit will occur.
ut 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 IN,
revenue must at least equal the an
preparations, Nothing but injury ca
come to the state by a failure {,
promptly and couragosouly roadjus
It's finances. II must be done at SOM
time, and the sooner It is accomplish
ed, the better for the good name o
the state. | invite the fullest consij
Grafton and discussion OF this In
portant matter