The Forrest City times., 1913-01-24

capitol rate, l-Z mill, total state rate, 6 7-S mills.
 Proposed rates: State general reve- nue rate. 1 S5-100 mills; sinking fund ate. Is mill; state school rate. mills: | Confederate pension rate. 1 1-2 mills; 1 educational rate, 9-10 mill; total state rate 6 7-S mills.
 If the loan herein suggested for the I benefit of the general revenue fund he authorized. the state general revenue l rate may be reduced by one-tenth mill, and that fixed as a sinking fund to dis | charge the loan.
 Educational Rate
 Controversies relative to the control | and maintenance of the university the | state normal and the agricultural | schools have been frequent. These con | troversies have impaired the usefulness | and retarded the development of the | institutions. The scramble for main. | tenance has encouraged log-rolling and 1 lobbying and left these schools to the mercy or the whim and caprice of those | who have fostered questionable schemes and championed objectionable legisla- tion. The proposed educational rate | may consist of one mill. or nine-tenthS | of one mill tudiciouslv apportione1 amoSS these various institutions The 1 probable increase in the assessed Valua- | ton of property throughout the state will, under normal conditions. provide for necessary increased expenditures oc- can be agreed upon and this rate estah- lished. the burdens of the General As semby will be frightened, and the cause of education advanced. If the General Assembly approves the suggestion to create the educational rate, it will make such division of the revenues of the same as may be deemed fair and ad visable. The folloing division is wpre- scented for your consideration;
 University of Arkansas 40 per cent; state normal. 10 per cent; agricultural schools, 10 cent
 one of the chief advantages which will probably result from the creation of the educational rate is the elimina- tion of politics from these great schools by removing the principal cause of it There will be no necessity for main taining a lobby for the benefit of these schools: At the same time the Legtsla, ture will have control of the fund and see that it Is not wasted
 Suspension of Capitol Rate
 No detriment can result to the state from the suspension of the capitol rGte The fund available from taxes which will be levied and collected before the proposed legislation suspending the rata becomes effective will be ample to pro- vide for q continuation of the work on the building, the furnishing of the same, the preparation of plans and the beginning of necessary improvements for the grounds.
 How More Revenues May Be Fairly
 Obtained.
 If 1t be deemed necessary to increase the revenues, this can be fairly accom- pished without injustice and with no increase in the rates of taxation. Better Enforcement of Non-Assessment
 Penalties.
 Many of the evils in our present rev enue system would be abolished by sim pie notifications in our laws relating to the non-assessment of property. large per cent of personal property es- capes taxation because the owner cor ruptly fails to assess it. Under the system of taxation maintained In Ar kansas, the owner of personal property 1an n fn V iC | Yiy.a, tf If he fails or refuses to do so. or as sesses only a small part of it, the state is deprived of revenues to which it is entitled. and .he burden is correspond ingly and unjustly increased on those who frankly submit their property to tax obiga tions. A reasonable penalty for non-asseSsment with more practical means of enforcement will tend to greatly increase revenues, and at the same time work no injustice to any citi- zen.
 Franchise Tax Laws.
 Our franchise tax laws can easily be made to yield more revenues by con forming to the system prevailing in neiShboring states The same is true of laws relating to taxes paid by insur- ance companies No radical unfair or oppressive legislation is required or jus tded in order to accomplish this end These subjects may furnish the basis of further communication hereafter. It is not deemed advisable to present them in detail now
 The Legislature alone has the power to raise revenues and to make appro- priatiOns. Whatever may be your con cluson as to the merit of the revenue measures herein proposed. it is clear that the present system of making ap- propriations with only an indirect re- gard to the means of paving them is vicious in both theory and practice
 The veto power enables the executive in the exercise of a function which is distinctly legislative, to reduce appro- nriatioDS This tiCable remedy because. in order to limit expenditures to revenues, regard must be had at one time to the whole subject to all the charges, and to the standing by themselves and considered without regard to the financial condi- l tion of the state. would be justified 1 and even worthy of approval But it is | exactly this fact that has produced the deficit in the general revenue fund 1 Symmetry and proportion should pre- when one appropriation is made regard is had at the same time to all other | necessary appropriations
 This cannot be done under the pre- l vailing system by executive veto. he cause the governor usually has hut i'm 1 perfect knowledge, when one appropria- 1 tion bill is presented of what others
 Passing now from the subject of re- form in our financial condition an1 tax system, let its importance be horne | constantly in mind. These questions will no doubt he frankly considered. The executive has no power other than to advise and to suggest.
 Corrupt Practices Act. | The passage of a measure prescribing | a reasonable limit to campaicu eXpen1i- lures and requiring full publicity Of the same is generally desired and made necessary by practices in our primary elections which have become fariliar tc | all Anonymous political Nterat ture 1 should be prescribed and paid publiCa- tions indicated IS advertisement.
 Many reasons and conditions justify such legislation. Poor men who arf honest should be encouraged to seek office Our civilization, and the theory of our government, give em0hasis tC this declaration. Wealth is not in prin ciple. and it must not become in fact a qualification for public service. In
 til some such measure as that now pro
 posed is enacted. men of limited mean;
 will be discouraged, if not debarred
 from yielding the state their services
 Nor is this all. Every consideration
 of public interest requires that candi
 dates shall be nominated and elected ? upon their personal merits and upon tn, } issues presented. The practice of sHend , ing money corruptly in elections is. 1T l every sense. detrimental to tho publi, e interest and at all times IO he com