The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1916-07-28
INCREASED EFFICIENCY,
R0ACH'S PLATFORM

Cornelius Roach, Democratic can
didate for Governor, completely re-
futed the charge Of Democratic mis-
management of State affairs during
the course of his splendid address at
Paris last Friday afternoon. AL
though the fifth State in the Union,
he pointed out, Missouri has kept pace
with New York and all others of great
err population and wealth in the varie-
ty and character Of the public service
rendered to the people. This, too, in
the face of the fact that New York
has revenues vastly greater than Mis-
souri's, which are only five and one
half millions. Iowa, with much less
population than Missouri, exacts from
her taxpayers three times as much
revenue and gives no better service,
| while Kansas, with only half the pop
ulation, collects from the people much
more in taxes, said Mr.. Roach. The
logic of this situation, he pointed out,
was the efficient, economical manage
ment Missouri people are getting from
their State officials.
The alleged debt of four million
dollars hostile press has been harp
| ing about did not exist at all, said Mr..
Roach, for the simple reason that the
Constitution Of Missouri made it i'm
possible for either the Legislature or
public officials to create or increase
| State debt. The awful drain of
funds incident to the salaries of those
who administer all departments of the
State government was nothing but a
myth, he demonstrated, since less than
| three per cent of the revenues were
thus consumed
"The fact is" said Mr.. Roach, "the
abuses in Missouri from this source
are less than in any other State in
| the American Union"
While admitting the need for more
revenue, the speaker contended that
it could be secured without increasing
the State tax levy, which is already
! the lowest in the Union and which has
been further decreased by the present
| Democratic administration. 1t could
be done by increased efficiency. When
he took charge of the Office of Secre-
tary of State the receipts were $685.
900 the first year. Last year they
were S526,000. This, too, at de-
crease of about $4,000 in expenses.
One department of this office had been
operated at a loss of $4,000 a year.
Through his efforts this deficiency
was turned into a net profit of $4,000
year to the State. Practically no.
thing was being collected for roads
when he went into office. To date, he
| has collected and turned into the
treasury $1,425,000 for that cause.
And thus he continued for almost
an hour, demonstrating beyond doubt
the splendid service Missouri people
were getting now, and always had got
ten, under Democratic rule.
Mr. Roach referred in compliment
tary terms to all his opponents and
created fine impression by his dis
position to win on his own merits
rather than on the real or imaginary
dement's of other Democrats.
'No matter who is nominated" he
said, at will be man / can get be-
hind after the primary"
The speech further intrenched Mr.
Roach in the good graces of all who
heard it and convinced everybody that
those who had been clamoring for a
business man for Governor need look
no further than Cornelius Roach.
He spent short time in Madison
and Holiday before coming to Paris.
Paris Appeal.