Graham guardian., 1916-04-07
Taxpayers Association

| anu "NllhIV vi 'Ilc county anu CIlI-
zens at heart, set forth the follow
ing declaration and principles:
%. Our motto: Economy, Eff
ficiency, Honesty, Service.
Sd Realizing the burden Of tax
alton that is being borne by the
citizens. we respectfully call atten-
ton to the discrepancies existing
between the amounts paid our elect
ed and appointed officers and the
amounts that any corporation or
private employer would pay for
! like service; also. the comparative
amounts that these officers could
earn in their own VOCationS in pri-
vate life; also, to the fact that there
/ is surplus Of officers whose duties
can caSity be aSsimiIated and per-
formed by others already in { tfice
and who are properly compensated
4th. This is not a political move
ment, in the sense of aiding or
abetting any political party. The
old parties are good enough for US,
and we do not desire others organ
lied. If The parties live up to their
respective platforms and principles
well and good The strength of
our government lies in the consent
of the governed. Honest office
holders are pleased to have their
constituency interested IN their work
and accounts, to have the public
check up with them and counsel
with them TO bring about the great
est good to the greatest number.
5th. We are we'll in the way of
retrenchment in the county and
pledge our support for still closer
and more economical administration
of public funds, and we also pledge
our support to the movement on
foot for bet er and more economical
administration in State affairs as
well
9th. We believe tina. there is a
surplus of officers, and that we can
dispense with same and double up
in the duties of others; that we
should be as willing to economic
for the public as in our own affairs.
7th. We believe it is possible to
accommodate ourselves with less if
necessary We believe the various Of
ticers are unnecessarily extravagant
in Office and other expenses allowed.
The same person in private life
would get along with considerably
less. What is right and what can
be done for self, we believe can be
done for the public. We, therefore,
recommend that there be a trim
ming up all along the line and that
our public affairs be commensurate
with the affairs of well managed
affairs in private life That all
claims against the county be kept
within the least possible, reasonable
expenditure.
8th. In connection with the fore
going we propose to be on the look
out constantly for the general we'll
being of the public and as there are
new developments we expect to be
prepared to meet them 1t is not
our purpose to find fault with the
administration, but to help better
matters by our friendly aid. Upon
these principles, we, the citizens of
Graham county stand.
consider that nothing but good
can come out of the friendly dis
cussion of these subjects. both
county and State.
State Good Government League
There was also an effort to reduce
taxes in State affairs initiated by
the State Taxpayers Association.
There were called together deIega-
tons of different interested bodies,
such as schools, county supervisors,
heads of departments Of State, etc.
During the many days of careful
deliberation and wise counsel from
men in actual administrative affairs,
they all set forth declarations of
principles and made recommended
tions, some of which | leave for
your consideration:
LIST. Resolved, that we stand for
economy and to reach the desired
end, we recommend retrenchment
in all departments of government.
To accomplish this. we recommend
that wherever within the authority
of the Legislature to do so, they act,
and wherever it is to be referred
to the people, we pave the way for
initiative of measures and amend
ments Of the constitution that Will
secure to the taxpayers and citizens
of this State the most economical
and efficient government obtainable.
I'd. We recommend the CONSOLE
dation of departments and elimina-
ton Of officers and reduction of sal
aries as far as possible.
Sd. Many offices can be dis
pensed with.
4th. That wherever possible the
term commission" be changed to
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