The Green Forest tribune., 1913-01-17
Goo. Robinson's LnaugurdE 7
 Address Made to Legislature


 vagance. The merit of a government mot, however, always be determined the rate of takes levied. A tax may
 either an inEestment, from which
 general public receives a dividend, a charge, whifh imposes an arduous useless burden. Both the legisla- e and executive departments are, in measure, reSpohSible for the rate of ation imposed1 The rate must de- Id on the amouht appropriated, and in S sense the legislature is solely re- 'ns1ble. In eNbTcising the power to ommend legisll ltion, the executive y cause increasFd or diminished ex- lditures. The Jate should be sufii- nt to provide the revenue required to 7 appropriatioh8 authorized. The will notY poPularize itself at
 expense Of the executive by author lg appropriationSs without providing
 revenue to meelt them. The execu- e has no power, tof appropriation; no ver to raise r9venue The duty to wide revenue sluficient to meet the oenSes Of the government is on the II appropriation in excess the revenue aTe made, deficits will 'ur in spite of the executive. The o power furn1Shtes but partial check
 extravaganza. That deficit now sts in our genhral revenue fund is ognized by alll Politicians, whose concentrations Snd policies are re- 'nsible for thfSi deficit, cannot hide ,mselves behindl the statement that en all the revenues are in the treas 7 and but few of the bills have been d. the treasury is not bankrupt The e test is: Howl stands the account en the bataneetShaS been struck en all the bills fhave been paid? If the charges against the general rev le fund were Promptly paid there uld be decit of near $750,000. This icft has already accrued It is not , result of policies advocated or ap- 'prlat.onS made tby the present ad- Duril tg the last few years
 general revenup rate has been de- ased by one-ha!f a mill. At the ne time, new inlstitutions, creating titional charges pn that fund. have m established. The four agricultural lools, the state normal the reform looI and the tubdrculosis Sanitarium } illustrations. While the fund has en diminished, tile drain on it has an Increased. Unnecessary appTopri- OHS may have added to the total icit which has thus been brought put. While this deficit is not the )duct of this admEVstration, the task Is upon us to proEide for it. It can accomplished eitfe1t gradually by in ,asinS the general revenue fund and iucing expenditures. or at once by king loan and providing a sinking Id to discharge it. We are concerned determining the Best and most req lable way of solving this important estion. The task equally upon us The leglslaturei alone can provide means TOT r1dding the state of the 1dow of repHdiatithn cast by the ex- ence of debt unl provided for in the neral revenue funq. The debt. com speaking, lis not a great one. ter it has been provided for there ed be no increase flh the total tax rate
 state purposes. By placing the iversity, the normal and the agricul- al schools on special rate and sus- nd1ng the capitol tax, the rates can
 easily readJuStedi so as to provide lple revenues. Lett our first labor be restore the states finance to a cash sis as speedily as k1ue regard for all sting conditions will permit. When 1t has been done. let us see that Suea condition does not iagatn rise during } administration fbr which we are 'ponsible, by confining the appropria- ms to the revenueks The existing ldition, however brought about is a ldrance to the proslress of the state. e sooner it is relieIed the faster will kansas advance, anl D that is the one more to be desired than all others If it be justifiable in addresses of this araeter to refer to abstract principles.
 may concern our$elves with what lStitutes good goverhment It cannot said to consist in fixed and unchang 7 laws or policies. but it is demon ated in that adm illustration where , popular will is most accurately eX- essed and promptly executed Our cory of government is that all power leres in the people, They have the Int, regarding the Limitations which " themselves establish and maintain alter or amend the l3wS to suit them ves. It follows that publicity" in
 broadest sense Is < prerequisite to 'gress in a free stAte.
 There should be full and thorough cusslon of impoftant questions ons the people. At lhst the Problems government are thei.s. They can ap- we or disapprove the rdcommenda- ms of their executive and the 1egisla n enacted by any administrations portunities should De afforded the leral public of beaoniag familiar -h all the acts Of both tste executive the legislative branches of the gov lment. As vice hides from the public se, so corruption can1lot long exist in , light of public scrutiny. When the 'ple study a question. when they ow the motives which inspire public $, as well as the manner in which y are performed, t1teir conclusions of the highest valhe. To soberly fairly ascertain public sentiment ] respond to it, apprdaches the ideal
 good administration But public timents only to be cpnsuited in de- mining the policies to Joe pursued and islation to be enacted. The governor making his recommendations to the islatu. e, and in exercising the veto ver, performs legislative functions; 'rciSes a part of the Legislative pow
 When laws have b4en passed and to be enforced his legislative duties , ended, and his executive obligations He may not cbnsult the pop 1T will as to the enforfement of laws eady passed. That Issue is fore sed The public is cohclusively pre- ned to favor every lay. The execu- e who acts on any otlter theory dis ards his duty. and will fail.
 Clear and important distinctions exist legislative and execut i've duties. The legislator is vesteh with discre- n His primary task is to determine 'stions of policy.
 'opular feeling, as well as personal lviction, may influence him. He can divest himself of the responsibility oiled in the nature of his office. The igation of the executive. as such, is 'rower He is not responsible for the stence of the law Ills duty is to cute 1t. His personal views as to
 merit or objectionable character of 7 should no more guide him than the nions of those who openly violate it. e existence of dead letter laws,= tutes which are ignorkd and unen- ceu-lS reproach updn the eXecu- Q charged with enfbreing them re is found one reason for the divi- n of the powers Of goTer nmert into ee coordinate branches It is calcu- ed to produce fairer, more consist
 and uniform enforcement of the 7.
 The standard of public service will
 raised if the officers of our state ID constantly In view wfI recognized xims and principles.