Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-01-18

tive methods Of compelling the pay
ment Of taxes on a vast part OF the
Intangible property which escapes I'M
der our present method.
Other states have such laws, which
fact emoves the objection that they
may cause an injustice to such enter
prises as come in competition with
similar industries elsewhere. Their
business and fairness are now so wen
established in our sister states that
l shall not enter into a detailed dis
cussion of them.
State Tax Commission.
/ recommend the creation of a
state tax commission. | believe the
time has come when it is necessary to
create such a commission, whose du-
ties shall be to enforce and supervise
the revenue laws already in force,
as well as those which you may pass
Problems relating to taxation are al
ways difficult. We all agree, how
ever. that whatever taxes are pro-
vided by law should be efficiently ad-
ministered. In order to do this it
is necessary that there should be
some central authority, with power
to aid local assessors and to see that
they administer the laws of the state
in a uniform amer. A state tax
commission, or some similar central
authority, now exists in about forty
states Of the Union.
A permanent state tax commission
would be able TO furnish the general
assembly such information as is nee
essary from time to time for the sat
is~factory revision Of revenue laws. The
power Of this commission may be
made TO include supervision over the
expenditure, as well as the collection
of the states money, with authority
to recommend methods of economy
and efficiency in all state depart
ments; with authority to make a
scientific estimate Of the revenue for
each biennial period, presenting same
to the legislature with a budget and
recommendation as to how the money
should be expended. The budget
would be for the guidance of the leg
islature with a view to make the in
come and outgo balance.
The experience of other states
shows the wisdom Of such a commits
sion and Missouri should not fall be-
hind in adopting this method In work
ing out u revenu system.
Penal Institutions.
The last legislature abolished the
penitentiary contract system effective
31st, 1916.
Provision has been made for en-
ploying only three hundred of the
the tw~enty-seven hundred
are idle, with the excep-
ton Of those required for routine
work. This situation is so serious
as to be critical. 1t will be necessary
for the legislature to act Immediately
to prevent distressing and dangerous
results.
I am thoroughly convinced that we
must meet this perplexing and COM
pick question boldly and fearlessly
by saying once for all that these con
tracts shall never be renewed-that
there will be no better time in the
future than today to work out this
problem with this factor eliminated.
I, therefore, recommend for your
consideration that the board Of par
dons and paroles, the board Of prison
inspection, the boards Of the Missouri
Reformatory, the State Industrial
Home for Girls, the State Industrial
School for Negro Girls, all be abol-
lshed and the duties now performed
by these boards be placed under the
exclusive Jurisdiction of a board Of
say five members not over three Of
whom shall belong to the same politi-
cal party; this board to have large
powers, including:
First.-Pardons and paroles, sub
Iect to the governors approval. d,
Second-Buying Of all supplies for
The four institutions.
Third.-Leasing and condemning
land for farming purposes for the in
mates Of the ~penitentiary.
Notwithstanding state indus
manufacturing for the inmates
Of the penitentiary.
Ffth.-Erecting new buildings,
such as ~reformatory.
Sixth.-Working prisoners on the
highways in connection with the pro-
posed highway commission.
Seventh.-Employ warden and su.
perintendents.
Eighth.-Make rules and regula-
tons for all employees.
The salary of this board would not
exceed the salaries and expenses Of
the five boards to be abolished, in
the salaries Of their secre-
taries and %treasurers. The saving in
the buying Of supplies through n
would be very large. But be-
yond the question OF economy expert
ence In other states has proven that
a great work of organization, build
Ing and reforming as above outlined,
best operated by such central au-
A prison system should be broad
and comprehensive. The men should
be developed during confinement by
them in a position Of mutual
responsibility where they can prepare
for work after their sentences ex-
pire. The model prison system where
first offenders are segregated, and
where others are given an opportun-
ity for farm and road work offers the
best opportunity to reform these peo-
Pile,
The problem of handling prisoners,
both during the time they are incar-
cerated and after they are set free,
Is one that Is engaging serious
of people who are concerned
in reducing crime.
In many states organizations and
associations have been formed to aid
of prisoners and ex-prison-
ers and great good is being accom-
plished.
The rapidity with which the board
could carry out these great reforms
would depend upon the degree of
financial aid we could give them, to
buy farms, erect buildings, purchase
machinery and other equipment.