Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-01-11


read as he runs, and periodically
obey. This is task too large for a
single session. therefore recon-.
mend that body be provided by this
legislature, to report to the succeed.
ing one, in harmony with this thought,
their findings for action.
When our laws shall be reduced to
readable limits. they will be under.
stood. and res Nected. and, so. easily
enforced
In the same way. and evidenced In
the same way. is a demand for reduc.
economies in the expenditure OF
such funds as shall be necessarily ex.
pended.
They expect you to reduce the mum
Der OF persons employed in govern.
mental activity. wherever possible,
and to reduce. or at least 10 not in
crease, the present burden OF taxa
ton.
Legislation during the past few
years has resulted in an enlargement
ment. There are instances in which
the same powers are being exercised
by representatives OF the central gov
eminent and BIZ the local governing
bodies. The limit OF the activities OF
these officers should be well defined.
In the interest OF economy there
should no; he two sets Of officers to
perform a single function. suggest
this subject for YOUR consideration
and that You correct this condition
where YOU find it.
Public attention has been drawn to
the system by which the printing and
binding for the State is being done.
IN my opinion, based upon some study
Of the matter. the present system is
an i'm proper one. II is asserted. not
only that the system is wastetul and
unduly costly, but that abuses OF 1t
exist resulting in further loss to the
State | suggest that you take steps
10 inform yourselves thoroughly in
this matter and to check any waste.
and 10 change the system
There is a defect in our present sys-
tenn of taxation through which an in
crease OF valuation has resulted in
putting into the public treasury mil
lions OF dollars not contemplated by
the levies which produced the money.
No dollar OF money can be raised
By taxation in this state without your
express permission and authority. You
are responsible, therefore, for the to-
tai expenditure in the state. and I
recommend such change in our laws
in this respect as shall insure that
no permission to raise money by tax
alton shall be given, by the iegisla.
ture, to any governmental agency IN
til the legislature shall have before
It in dollars and cents the total
amount of proposed and necessary ex-
penditure to be made by such agen-
cies The rate OF levy should be
guaged by that estimate, and be re-
quired to be made upon a valuation
then fixed.
The provision OF our Constitution
that legislative, judicial and executive
power shall not be exercised by the
same officer or tribunal is not a mere
phrase or dogma. but a fundamental
principle OF representative govern
ment. recommend that you go care
fully over the laws creating our Tari-
Gus public agencies, and remedy this
condition wherever you find i iii any
degree
A legislative assembly IS a delibera.
tive body, and can perform real ser
vice only By close study OF existing
law, in connection with such new
ones as shall be proposed, and the
measure Of its service is not the mum.
Der OF bills passed, but the care with
which those that pass shall be drawn
and the consideration and study they
shall receive before passage, and the
benefit they may be to all the people.
In this view, and in the present state
OF the public mind to which | have
referred, the distinction Of having in
troduced the most bills in this session
will not be an enviable one
The people OF this commonwealth
expect this legislature to do a few
big things. and then adjourn. You
will not, ii you desire to regard the
opinion of the people, be here more
than seventy days.