The Forrest City times., 1913-01-24
First Biennial Message
 of Gou. Joe 7. Robinson

or delivered his first message to the legislature the first of this week.
 In the message he takes up finance and makes some recommendations in this respect.
 He assures the legislature of his co operation with that body.
 His message follows:
 The chief executive in recommending legislation, and the General Assembly in choosing subjects to be considered. should now exercise these functions with due regard for the constitutional amendment recently sought to be sub mitted seeking to limit to sixty days the period of regular sessions for which members may be compensated, and re- ducing to maximum of fifteen days the length of special sessions in which members may receive any compensation whatever. This amendment, if effective, operates as q very practical limitation sessions of the General Assembly. It also discloses that public sentiment favors conflning legislation to impor- tant subjects, it being clearly impos- sible within such short periods, to de- termine this character of legislation and also to consider the large number of local bills usually presented
 Subjects Should Be Considered in Order
 Of Their Importance.
 It has thus become imperative that only necessary and important legsla tlOH small clalIn attention, and it lS de- sirable that measures be considered in- solar as practicable. in the order of their importance.
 To avoid complications it is desirable that, 1T possible, you conclude all sub 5ects which demand legislation within the short period of sixty days. In or der to accomplish this. there must be concert of action between the governor and the General Assembly As an evil dence of the willingness of your gov ernor to facilitate this course. this mes sage Is condensed both as to the sub 1ects presented and the manner in which they are discussed.
 Statewide Prohibition and the Initia-
 tive.
 Statewide prohibition having been voted on under the initiative in Septem- Der. 1912, this important subject need not vex your deliberations Repose is sometimes an necessary as is agitation at others. When the whole body of electors have fairly expressed their opinion concerning any policy. their yer dict should be accepted as conclusive Tor a reasonable time and while condi- tions remain unchanged
 Revenue Legislation.
 The most important subjects demand Ing consideration relate to the financial condition of the state and necessary re- forms in our revenue system
 Deficit in the General Revenue Fund
 The general revenue fund, considering all outstanding claims, is in debt approx imately seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars. This sum will probably in clude all deficiencies fairly chargeable against preceding administrations
 The existence of this deficit is due In part to the fact that while the gen eral revenue rate has been recently re- duced from two and one-fourth mills to one and and three fourth mills, shortly thereafter were created a large number of new institutions. including the four agricultural schools the state normal the reform school and the tuberculosis sanitarium. The general revenue fund ma tnr ioIl. ralt, the charge upon it has been greatly in creased. This fund has been running behind year after year The policy which has heretofore prevailed of an ticipating revenues should be repu- diated. It is amateur politics not wise craftsmanship. We must provide for the payment of this deficit and bring the general revenue fund back to a cash basis. The first question to be answer ed is: How best can this be done?
 Authorize a Loan.
 The simplest plan is to authorize bond issue under carefully considered safeguards and restrictions. This can be 30 accomplished as to distribute the t~Fden over period of several years.
 Id issues when avoidable are not to be approved The public. however are well informed as to present conditions This deficit is in no sense chargeable upon the adinistration which is now just beginning II is our duty however to provide for it. The only other plans is to so increase the general revenue fund that within period of years sufli- cient surplus above current expendi- would be but a modification of the present plan, and under it the deficit might still increase rather than be di- unfinished if expenditures be not care fully watched and limited.
 It Is primarily important that eX penditures be limited and economy be state government When the present deficit In the general revenue fund has been provided for, the equally important duty of reforming the prevailing meth cd of appropriating public moneys with little reeard for our ability to pay the bills will demand attention.
 Budget Reform.
 Except in cases of emergency ap- propriations should be limited to the revenues. To accomplish this the prac- tice we now pursue of making one ap- propriation without regard to others necessary to be made must be ahan- doned. and every expenditure consider cd with regard to others necessary to be authorized. so that the total will not priations are to be paid. This can he accomplished In part during the pres ent session by the creation of a spe- cial committee on the budget, charged with the duty of estimating and recom- mending the proportion in which the general revenue fund shall be distrib- uted among the several demands against it. A budget commission. con  presiding officers of the Senate and the House of Representatives. should be au- thoriZed with such powers as will en- able the executive hereafter in suggest ing appropriations and the Legislature fin making them to proceed intelligent 1y and within the limit of the revenues available.
 Whether the deficit in the general revenue fund Is the result of eXtrava- gance. or merely incident to the growth of the states institutions. wisdom re- Quires that 1t be settled on a basis which will impose a lesson of economy and proportion.
 Not Necessary to Increase Total Tax
 Rate.
 While the present deficit in the gen eral revenue fund can be gradually dis charged and the current expenses paiC by economzing and by an increase 1T the general revenue rate, still no in crease is necessary or justifable if proper readjustment of the rate is made
 The University of Arkansas the ag ricultural schools and the state norma can be placed on special tax rate O say. one mill. or nine-tenths of on' mill. the capitol rate suspended. thu general revenue rate fixed at one an, buu6rp1thS mills all Othe