Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1914-04-14

are comparatively too high, and
raising those that are comparatively
too low.
"Our people never intended to
confer upon it the power to raise
valuations so as to increase legisla-
tive appropriations, or the amount
to be raised by statutory levies in
excess of the limit fixed by law, and
it has no right to do so. A reason
able limit should be fixed by statute
on levies that may be made by local
taxing bodies.
"The legislature should never be
urged to adopt a plan calling for an
initial expenditure reaching into the
millions except after the fullest pub
licity and ample time for thorough
discussion has afforded opportunity
for mature judgment.
"The affairs of the state should
be conducted on a business-like and
economical basis. It's employees
should render the same service and
be held to the same degree of &C.
countability as like employees in
private employment. Useless boards
and commissions should be abolish
ed. ..r
ga minimum amount in taxes
should be collected commensurate
with the economical and efficient ad-
ministration of public affairs. Money
collected in excess of the legitimate
and reasonable needs of the state
imposes an unjust burden and leads
to extravagances. To this | am I'M
alterably opposed.
THE lakes of this state were Civ
en- by the government to all the
people. Perhaps there are some
that should be drained and convert
ed into tillable land, but the subject
is one of such Importance that be-
fore they are devoted to utilitarian
purposes or diverted to private gain
there should be an affirmative action
on the part of the legislature
"The standard of the state educa-
tional institutions should be main
tanned; they should be kept as near
the people as possible. They are
not supported to further the interests
of the communities in which they
are located but are maintained for
the purpose of increasing the effc-
iency and promoting the culture and
welfare of our people. No material
change in their character should be
made, except by an assent of the
Legislature. and no person should be
appointed on the governing board
who has favoritism for one of the
institutions or prejudice against
another.
"The state has established and
maintains schools for the training
of its professional men. 1t has been
appropriating money for the purpose
OF instructing farmers and promot-
ing agriculture. AS yet little has
been done to assist the tradesmen
and mechanics in their work. They
nave been left to master the rules of
their crafts as best they can by
chance or accident. There is knowl-
edge possessed by skilled leaders in
all such occupations which, if
taught to their fellow tradesmen,
would tighten their burdens and
add to their prosperity.
THE state should devote some
attention to this subject. Such an
investment would bring returns in
every community Helpful informa-
ton should be carried to those act
ually employed. Trade schools for
the leading trades should be estab-
lished at convenient points, wherein
youth may be trained for their
chosen occupations. The immature
age and limited financial circum-
stances of most of those desiring to
take up the trades will not permit
their congregating in one central