Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1915-01-20

as well as the best interests of the
public.
You are also respectfully urged TO
take positive action in reapportion-
ing your membership TO effect a sub.
stantial reduction in the number of
representatives in the two houses.
At the present time. Nevada has one
representative in the legislature for
each 1,1OO of her population, and one
representative for each 800 voters
(not including recently franchised
women voters. This appears to me
disproportionate. and it is hoped that
you will patriotically undertake the
task of cutting your membership in
future sessions to the lowest number
consistent with proper service 10 your
constituents.
The unsatisfactory condition of the
states finances as well as the general
business depression existing through
out the country demand that some
thing more than the average consid-
Grafton be given legislation at this
time, and it is earnestly recommend
ed that you confine your efforts to
the passage of such laws only as re-
quired TO meet the essential needs
OF the state, with due regard for en-
listing business conditions, and that
this service be rendered as eXpedi.
tiously as possible.
State Finances.
My predecessor in his message to
the Twenty-siXth Session of your
honorable bodies, called attention to
the fact that for some years prior to
1913. the states revenues had been
insufficient to meet its expenditures
and that the substantial cash balance
in the state treasury on January /,
1909, as well as the cons titutional
borrowing power of the state. had
been exhausted. The initial report
of the Nevada tax commission goes
into additional detail in showing the
specific revenue requirements of the
state, and your attention is respect
fully called to these documents.
In 1913 and 1914, for the first time
in the recent history of the state. the
actual revenues needed to meet cur
rent expenditures had to be obtained
directly from current revenue sources.
The tax rates for 1913 and 1914 hav-
ing been set at &c cents and 60 cents
on each one hundred dollars of as
sessed valuation, and the eXpendi-
lures for the two years having been
estimated at $984,749 for 1913, and
S1,170, 169 for 1914, the tax commits
sion proceeded, as stated elsewhere in
this report, so to equalize the assess
ments for the two years as to pro-
duce the moneys necessary to main
tain the states cTedit-raising the
aggregate assessed valuation of all
property to $113,694,729.93 in 1913,
and to approximately $13S. S.5OO.00O in
1914-the exact figures not being
available at this time because of de-
layed county settlements.
The records of the controllers de.
pUTtInent nave nOl SuOWIl lHe COSI vi
operating the state government even
approximately. The special auditor
employed annually to audit the states
accounts and the tax commission have,
however. for 1913 and 1914 compiled
figures which indicate the cost of
each department, and for your infor
nation the following general figures
covering each year of the last biennial
period are reproduced here:
Executive Department
Elective offices -. -. 49,. -. 90.
Appoiptive offices and commissioners
Charitable and penal institutions e.
Educational institutions ... -. -.
Judicial Department ... ... -. e.
Legislative Department ... -. -.
Miscellaneous ... 80. ... ....... o..
Totals -. ... ...
Including District Judges sala
- Including the upkeep of state b