The log cabin Democrat. [volume] (Conway, Ark.) 1901-1982, 1913-01-09
GOV. HAS REBUILT
FINANCIAL SYSTEM
TAXATION NOT INCREASED
LEAVE OFFICE WITH STATE
DEBTS HALF AS MUCH AS
WHEN ELECTED.

In his message to the legislature OF
the financial condition of the state
Governor George w. Donaghey vii
give a complete account of the income
and expenditures of the state during
the four years he has been in office.
Governor Donaghey will state that
during his term of office, the state has
been required to spend 100000 more
than the expenses of any former adj
ministration, that these and other eX-
penses have been met and yet he Will
leave the treasury in better condition
that when he went into office, without
increasing the rate of taxation. Gov
ernor Donaghey will say that in 1909,
debts aggregating $135,000, were paid,
hut that the debts the state now owes
will be more than 76,931.
Governor Donaghey says he has laid
the foundation for an equitable system
of taxation, without an increase IN the
rate of taxation. He says the capitol
fund will have $4,000 to its credit,
and recommends that the present tax
should be stopped. His chapter on the
financial situation is as follows:
"There are SO many confusing and
incoherent details in keeping the
states financial account that it would
be out of place to here recite them.
But here is what can be done, and
what | have done. | have separated
from all other periods that of my own
administration and hereby render an
account to you for it only.
"There was no surplus to speak OF IN
the treasury when | came into office
The bills to pay will be less when l &c
out. At the beginning of the incoming
administration, tax collections begin
We have spent only the taxes collected
during the period we have held office
We have untouched all resources COM
ing into the treasury after this date
We have provided much more for oul
successors than was left for US. The
assessments for the incoming taxes are
S13O,OOO,000 more than when we took
charge. Many other resources for rev.
enue have been provided, all OF which
will be most beneficial to the incoming
administration.
"My administration took charge OF
the states affairs on the 18th day OF
January, 1909. From that date until
today, we are responsible for its con-
duct. What was done before then or
what may be done after this date are
separate matters altogether. We can
l. IF nt h
ers; for their good work we are not
entitled to credit. We have been the
servants of the people for only the
four years commencing January IA,
1909, and ending today. We now rem
der you an account for that period. 1t
is as follows:
"When the legislature of 1909 met,
we had to pay debts out of the gener-
al revenue fund which were contract
ed by the previous administration as
follows:
Bal. Exp. legislature 1907..S 5000
Defense suits against state. 10000
Deficiency for Reform School. 4,0OO
General deficiency bill $50. 5000
Deficiency for penitentiary. $4,000
Governor Pindalps salary -. 5000
Sundry small items. ....... 1000
Total ........ 49, S76,93
"These are the only debts that |
know of contracted under my admin
istration that may be called debts
against the state at this time. There
may, however, be other clairns present
ed tc you for payment. But as 70
THEN validity you viii be the judge.
"Owing to the increased demand Of
the people and the necessities of the
state government during the term of
my office. we have had to pay, over
and above the expenses of any former
administration, the following items:
Increased salarY for Is cir