The Oakes times. [volume] (Oakes, N.D.) 1906-current, 1916-01-06
poses in 1910 was SIC, ,o21 ,os1. The last
tax levy is $16,377 ,277, an increase of
OVER f30 ,,or ronk e, f,,,. ,,>>..


At its last meeting the state equali-
cation board greatly increased the as
sessed valuation of taxable property
in order to meet the appropriations
and increased expenses Of state gov
eminent rs incurred by the last legis-
lature.
l believe it is high time to call q halt
on this excessive taxation and waste
Of the peoples money. When taxpay-
ers come to pay their taxes this year
and nsxt year, they will find q per-
sonal reminder of this extravagance
in our state affairs. We must not for
get that North Dakota has only q small
population, less than 635,OOO persons
of all ages, with only about 10000
adult tax paying residents.
Rigid economy is needed in the man.
agement of our state schools, penal
and charitable institutions, as we'll as
in the general expenses of the state.
A governor can do much to save the
people hard earned dollars. He can
veto what he believes to be unneces-
sary appropriations and can influence
by just and reasonable means the
scope Of appropriations by working in
cooperation with other state officials
and members, of the -legislature. I do
not believe in crippling or reducing
the real efficiency Of single existing
state institution, but do believe that
much money can be saved in their
management and nothing lost in other
respects. In the management of our
institutions the same care and secur-
ity Of expense items should be exer-
cised rs applies to any. similar busi-
ness or extensive enterprise conducted
by private parties.
I further believe that the appropria-
tions made by the legislature should
be expended only rs the law directs,
and not in different manner by some
board temporarily in charge Of the
expenditure Of the funds; and that no
appropriation made for q specific pur-
pose should be exceeded OF diverted
In any case.
! believe the people Of the state want
. man at the head Of thsir government
to install . different p1ssram in the
conduct Of eae fins1sisl sGai-s thar
now prevails. Law enforcement, re-
organization Of boards and commits
sions, encouragement Of greater econ
.'hi'e maintaining progressive
adequate to our population
resources, are in my opinion need
ed in North Dakota. It is up to the
voters at the next election to secure
thsse changes or to remain content
and let their public affairs drift on as
they are now doing, for the chief
benefit of those who financially and
politically profit by the pres mt busi-
ness administration of our state.
Should l become candidate for
governor, it would be only on some
such platform as l have outlined
above, and in the event of an election
to the position, my friends at least
will feel satisfied that the work of
retrenchment in our state expenses
will be put through as far as in nv
power lies.
l would consider the appreciation of
the people of the state in performing
such work, ample compensation for
the hard task it involves and for the
opposition of those who may be ex-
pected to resist and prevent if possible
the election of any man on any ticket
who will carry on without fear or
favor, the work of business reform in
state affairs, with the great majority
of our taxpayers, I believe, earnestly
desire.
l sincerely trust that whoever is
elected governor next year whether he
be a Republican or Democrat, will
begin the work of reform in the busi-
ness administration of this state as
soon as he is inaugurated into office.
Oscar ]. Seller.