The Green Forest tribune., 1915-01-22
Gou. Ha1s' Message to the
 Fonieth General Assembly

YnrkNU improved. Under existing laws if almost impossible to secure a fair just valuation of all the property $ the state. It is much easier to rso those who are less able to pay tsqS than it is those who have been rnoyi fortunate in accumulating this woriJs; treasures. It s unfortunate th
 those who are most able to bear t
 burdens of taxation are less willinet t9' do so, and, as result of same, We s,
 have the tax dodger. It is true tb%& valuations have greatly increased bSs not to sufficient degree to meet tIsgl demands necessary in raising revens sufficient for the running of the sts government without increasing n
 rate of taxation. R
 I call your attention to this m,
 ter for your most serious considen
 tion. When we realize that accordiSs
 to the federal census the property Na the state is valued at approximatea one billion and half dollars, with ,A assessed valuation of approximats
 we can readily see that there is som
 thing wrong The rate of taxatg$ that Is being paid at this time is m high as it should be, and I would o
 pose the increasing of same; but if tsA property of the state could be eoni.
 ably assessed we would have, at M present rate of taxation, plenty of re
 enue to relieve the state of its indeN
 edness and make larger appropriatio
 for our educational and charitable is stitutions and run on cash basis. K. l am also opposed to a bond iss
 or to the state borrowing money. M
 lieve that. with the proper practice eS economy and with the increased va
 nations of the property and oth@s sources of revenue, we can pay NiS states Indebtedness and soon be on cash basis, as indicated above. {. The HOuOr OueStiOD is one hot not only attracting the attention the citizenship of Arkansas, but of tg
 entire nation. This question is s
 rious one. It has played its part, us, cry one, and its day is doomed in oIt entire country. It has corrupted fin measure the politics of the country at
 legislation. The evil effects of tN
 traffic cannot be told in words. It h
 ruined and destroyed manhood, ht many heartaches and done more # dfscredit, disorganize and retard tlf moral uplfft of mankind than all oths
 evils combined. An investigation
 the records of those who are conanes in our state prison those who are co
 demned to die in the electric chair, ss
 those convicted of any other erin will disclose the fact that the great
 per cent of such crimes resulted fro
 the use of intoxicating liquors Ye will also find that this one evil is N
 sponsfble for a large per cent of tho
 who are confined in the institutio
 of nervous diseases. The liquor trat is absolutely non-productive, except diseases. The liquor traffic is ab. lutely non-productive except of dis patton. It produces no wealth exec to the few who are engaged in ts. traffic It does not induce immign
 tfon or capital to come to our sta The sale of same only amounts to t.s few dollars revenue paid by those as4 privilege to engage in this busine On the other hand, the millions of des
 lars spent in this manner can hard
 be estimated, which. if spent in mo :. legitimate and moral channels, wou,
 raise the standard of our citizenshf give us greater and pobler pecr
 enable many to provide better tzf clothing. and to better educate the
 children and make happier homes.
 l would recommend, in view of F4
 these conditions, that you ensS
 such legislation as will submit tf8s question to the voters of the state the general election to be held in 1ss This will be four years since the que tion has been submitted. Should " do this. I will give same my offcs approval.
 In the event that you should not pa such a bill, I would recommend thss 1 you amend what is known as the e. ing Act so that the license for the ss or intoxicating liquors could be obtazf ed only in towns or cities of over O. thousand white adult inhabitants, as9 also amend same in such way as wss
 eliminate the enormous amount of E. i terminab1e legislation Ky
 It is unfortunate and dep1orable th5s
 present conditions have arisen wi
 reference to the management of o charitable institutions. I regret the2' l conditions
 one, in view of the position that I nass
 occupy. It has been my endeavor te
 year since I learned that friction X
 1sted between the board and some ~
 the superintendents, to bring ah'
 peace between the factions. hs
 exhausted all of my resources in k
 effort along these lines, but the inc 1table came, and we have & conditt now that certainly does not ref.s
 credit upon the state.
 l The board saw proper, in the cd
 struct1on of power plant at the Ha pftal for Nervous Diseases, to creat.g i deficit. This was done without rs
 knowledge or consent, and the first
 knew of it was when the members l
 the board came to me in body to ts3 ] certain if l could grant any relief i informed them that as this had be done l was erless to act, even 7 the way of issuing a proclamation v
 der the law authorizing such, as pas l ed by the General Assembly of 1sta At my own instance I employed Ht John II. Rurkett as expert accounts to audit the accounts of this instIt ton, and his report has been filed wi
 me. to which I invite your most eaf
 est investigation. His report shof that there is a deficit at this time 1 $42,672.29. which was covered out # the appropriations made for other pt ; poses. l made no contract with VI Burkett with reference to paying t TOT this service. I stated to him thl 1T the legislature did not see props
 to remunerate him, I would do so c9s or my own salary. I submit this ma tetr for your consideration. I wou
 especially recommend that you g
 to the report of MT. Burkett your ms
 careful consideration, and that w
 make sucl- further investigation
 these institutions as in your judgmt you may deem proper.
 I would recommend that you terr nate all positions of trustees, secrei
 ries, stewards. etc., and that you cf
 ate a commission of three membe whose duty it shall be to devote thu entire time and attention to the rr ming Of these institutions. I believe #
 this way they can be run more st
 cessfully, satisfactorily and econom ally. Under the present system f amount appropriated for mileage s per diem of the trustees, salary of ts secretary, and the amount that is netj being paid to his help will amount pFactlcally as much as reasonable sa
 aries for three commissioners and pelleve, under system of this kil ;! the saving to the state would he F