The Monticellonian. [volume] (Monticello, Ark.) 1870-1920, 1915-01-21

valuations nave greatly increased, but
not to sufficient degree to meet the
demands necessary in raising revenue
sufficient for the running of the state
government without increasing the
rate of taxation.
/ call your attention to this mat
ter for your most serious considera
ton. When we realize that according
TO the federal census the property of
the state is valued at approximately
one billion and a half dollars, with an
assessed valuation of approximately
four hundred and fifty million dollars.
We can readily see that there is some
thing wrong. The rate of taxation
that Is being paid at this time is as
pose the increasing of same: but If the
property of the state could be equtt
ably assessed we would have. at the
present rate of taxation, plenty of rev.
enue to relieve the state of its indebt-
edneSs and make larger appropriations
for our educational and charitable in
situations and run on a cash basis.
am also opposed to a bond issue
or to the state borrowing money. ] be-
tieve thar, with the proper practice of
economy and with the increased val
uations of the property and other
sources of revenue, we can pay the
states Indebtedness and soon be on
cash basis. as indicated above.
The liquor question is one that is
not only attracting the attention of
the citizenship OF Arkansas. but of the
rious one. IT has played its part. the
results of which are apparent to ev-
cry one. and its day is doomed in our
entire country. 1t has corrupted In
measure the politics of the country and
legislation. The evil effects of this
traffic cannot be told in words. 1t has
ruined and destroyed manhood. has
brought poverty to homes. has caused
many heartaches and done more to
discredit. dsorganize and retard the
moral unlift Of mankind than all other
evils combined An investigation of
the records of those who are confined
in our state prison those who are con-
demned to die in the electric chair or
those convicted of any other crime,
will disclose the fact that the greater
per cent of such crimes resulted from
the use of intoxicating liquors. You
will also end that this one evil is re-
sponsibte FOR large per cent of those
who are confined In the institutions
of nervous diseases. The liquor traffic
is absolutely non reproductive. except OF
diseases. The liquor traffic is abso-
lutely reproductive except of dissi-
patton. 1t produces no wealth except
to the few who are engaged in the
traffic. It does not induce immigra-
ton or capital to come to our state
The sale of same only amounts to the
few dollars revenue paid by those as a
privilege to engage in this business.
On the other hand, the millions of dol
lars spent in this manner can hardly
be estimated which If spent in more
legitimate and moral channels, would
raise the standard of our citizenship,
give us greater and nobler people.
enable many to provide better for
their families in the way of food.
clothing. and to better educate their
children and make happier homes.
would recommend. in view of all
these conditions. that you enact
question to the voters of the state at
the general election to be held in 1916.
This will be four years since the aues-
ton has been submitted. Should you
do this, l will give same my official
approval
In the event that you should not pass
such a bill. I would recommend that
you amend what Is known as the Go
ing Act SO that the license for the sale
of Intoxicating liquors could be obtain
ed only in towns or cities of over one
thousand white adult inhabitants, and
also amend same in such wav as will
eliminate the enormous amount of in
terminable legislation
It is unfortunate and deplorab1e that
present conditions have arisen with
reference to the mana cement of our
charitable institutions. | regret these
conditions probably more than any
one. in view of the position that I now
occupy. II has been my endeavor for
year. since l learned that friction ex-
listed between the board and s.ome OF
the superintendent, to bring about
peace between the factions. l have
exhausted all of my resources in my
effort along these lines. but the inev-
table came. and we have condition
now that certainly does not reflect
credit upon the state.
The board saw proper. in the con
struction of power plant at the Hos
pital for Nervous Diseases, to create a
deficit This was done without NV
knowledge or consent, and the first I
knew OF it was when the members of
the board came TO me in a body to
certain If | could grant any relief. I
informed them that as this had been
done 1 was pow erless to act, even In
the way OF issuing a proclamation I'M
der the law authorizing such. as pass
ed by the General Assembly of 1918
At my own instance | employed Hon.
to audit the accounts of this institu-
ton, and his report has been filed with
me. to which I invite your most earn
est investigation. His report shows
that there is a deficit at this time OF
s42.672.29. which was covered out OF
the appropriations made for other pur-
poses. l made no contract with Mr..
Burkett with reference to paying him
for this service. I stated to him that.
if the legislature did not see proper
to remunerate him. I would do so out
of my own salary. | submit this mat
tetr for your considerations I would
especially recommend that YOU give
to the report of Mr.. Burkett your most
careful consideration. and that YOU
make such further investiga ton OF
these institutions as in your judgment
you may deem proper.
l would recommend that you termi-
nate all positions of trustees secreta-
ries, stewards. etc. and that you ere
ate commission of three members
whose duty ii shall be to devote their
entire time and attention to the run
ming of these institutions. / believe in
this way they can be run more sue
cessfully. satisfactorily and economic
ally. Under the present system the
amount appropriated for mileage and
secretary. and the amount that is now
practically as much as reasonable sal
aries for three commissioners and
believe, under a system Of this kind
the saving to the state would be as
MANY times the amount of salaries paid
in this way. | would recommend that
three commissioners be appointed by
the governor, to be confirmed By the
senate, whose term OF office should be
six years. the first eommi ssioners To be
appointed as follows: one for two
years. one for four years. and the 9TH
eH for six wears. In this way the COM
mission, as whole. would never be
/ the creature of any one adminfstra-
/ ton. and We would always have two
members on the board with an exneri-
! enee of from two to four years in the
management and control of these insti-
! buttons. In this report IL Is not my in
! tention 10 reflect in any way upon the
/ honesty Of any man who has been or
4 Is now connected with the management
/ of these institutions