The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-01-31


eight months after assuming the du-
ties of governor. This million dol
lar obligation forswhich no revenue
had been provided, was in the form
Of an appropriation made for the pur-
pose Of relieving our state Institutions
as we'll as taking care Of expenditures
for the administration Of the state
government, which 1t was necessary
to take are of out Of the revenues
for 1915, which were provided by the
second extraordinary session OF the
legislature.
The state experienced a financial
crisis which ended in a moratorium,
because some did not agree with us
that the state vas in need OF add
tional revenue. Whether they were
sincere in the conclusions they came
to l do not know, but l unhesitating-
" say that they refused to be con-
WINGED Of their error, even after a
thorough and exhaustive audit had
been made, which 1t had taken more
than a year for the accounting de-
partment to conclude.
After the financial condition Of the
state had developed into a hopeless
situation, an appeal was made to
men connected with certain interests
by myself personally and to others
rouoh NV friends. which failed OF
results, and after these efforts had
failed / made addresses throughout
the state for the purpose Of arousing
the citizens to the situation which
confronted us. I was assured by a
suficient number of senators that II
I would call an extra session OF the
legislature the financial situation
would be taken care Of, which was
done with the happy result that the
state for the first time since Its for
nation has a budget law that gives
specifically and accurately every ex-
penditure.
The state today is on a sound f.
nancial basis and its revenue sources
are ample to guarantee the liberal
conduct in a satisfactory way OF her
institutions, as we'll as the proper ad-
mlnistration of the affairs of govern
ment with the assurance that the
fourteen cent levy that was laid this
year by the board Of public works on
the $4,000 valuation of real and per-
sonal property IAN be reduced to at
least ten cents for the 1916 period.
Where the Money Goes.
Three and one-half cents Of the
fourteen cent direct levy that was as
sessed by the board Of public WORKS
last year went back to the different
counties for the support of the pub
lie schools, and II only ten cents Is
required this year, three and one-haif
cents Of that will go back to the main
tenance Of local schools in the coun.
ties, leaving only six and one-nalf
cents of a direct levy for the state
purposes.
The assurance is given that the d.
rect levy can still be reduced for the
1917 period to at least five or SIX
cents on the $4,000. valuation OF
property. Taking from this levy the
three and one-half cents for school
purposes, the citizens will see again
the direct levy almost eliminated.
One distinguished gentleman who
occupies a high position as an ofi-
cial in this state has taken the posi-.
Ition that a small direct levy should
always exist. 1t is his view that I'M
less this be done, as a citizen who be-
Ilieyes in the development Of his state
he is not permitted to contribute 10
the states support. This gentleman.
Won all know. He has seen long and
faithful service. not only as a public
man. but as a soldier. have reler-
ence to the Honorable John ". Ma
son. now a member Of the supreme
court of the state of West Virginia.
with the reduction Of the direct
levy In 1917 as suggested, the records
disclose the fact that after taking ev.
ery item into consideration that
could be charged against the state.
there will be a surplus owe and above
n expenditures in the state treasury
at the end Of that period amounting
to approximately 100000:
Our Expenses Low.
There is no state in the union that
has n per capita cost in the admins
tration of public institutions, both
charitable and educational, as low as
West virginia. I challenge contra
diction of this assertion. To what IS
this low per capita cost due? It Is
because our state is more economical
and makes a dollar go farther than
the same amount expended on insti-
buttons Of like nature in other states.
There is n thing / claim for my
self. II / am entitled to no other cred
it. and that Is that I have devoted
INV entire time and attention to the
duties that have been left to me as
chief executive, as l propose to DO un.
IN the end to the entire exclusion OF
everything else; and l feel that |!
am in q position to give a rightfui
conclusion on the situation and con-
ditlon OF these matters Of state ex-
penditures. have given them a
careful study and know the minute
details of the state expenditures that
are being made for the maintenance
OF our institutions as compared with
those Of like nature in other states.
and / want to say here and now that
we, as citizens OF a great common
wealth which Is Astounding in wealth
ona nnvsiilitiaa fnr fha future have