The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1917-03-16
Mr.. Clark spoke as follows:

<A2s OAtAh oPChO Go iOiiOWos
Last November the upper and
lower peninsulas Joined in a splendid
did Republican victory. Now our
party Is strong and it's thousands of
business men, laborers, farmers and
professional men were never so well
pleased, never so well satisfied. The
press of the state is almost unanimous
IN expressing approval and support.
why this strength and party 10y
atty? Because in the last campaign
In Michigan, Republican principles
were ably and squarely supported.
Because our party is faithful means
to accomplish the will of the people,
and because there is no invisible gov
eminent in Michigan.
1.-THE people of the state and the
men of the party have right to be
governed by their chosen representa-
tives. They will not endure control
by any force or organization not of
their selection. We are happy indeed
to have in the government of our
state today men of force. and indie
pendence, true Republicans, and to
have as governor no other than the
capable, courageous leader, the choice
Of the people, Hon. Albert e. Sleeper.
There is no section, no faction in
Michigan Republicanism today. Re-
publican geography is as wide as the
boundaries of the state. Party har-
mony, so necessary to success, may
be promoted by according to the agri-
cultural districts and Industrial CEN
tiers of the state just recognition; by
giving to the great metropolis of
Michigan, the city of Detroit, which
has one-fourth of our population and
which pays such large percentage
of the cost of government, its just
share in the management of affairs;
and by remembering that empire of
the north, the upper peninsula of
Michigan, which when compared with
many of the states of the union, Is
greater in cities, in area, in popula-
ton, in wealth and in education. II
has one-ninth of our population, one
third OF our area, and pays one
seventh of our tax. The upper PENN
sula of Michigan, which has given us
occasional disquieting visions of a
State of Superior" and, which has
always given us such splendid Repub-
lican majorities.
Economy But Not Neglect.
I'VE have promised the people
of Michigan economy and business
methods in the administration of
state affairs. The arbitrary cutting
of needed appropriation = arbitrary
neglect of the institutions and wards
of the state-arbitrary evasion of our
plain duty is not economy.
Under our present methods a low
state tax one year has usually meant
a higher tax later and the people
have come to know this. An. appro-
priation If necessary should be ade-
quate. Extravaganza and waste should
be eliminated and here is where
business method is to be applied-the
budget system. 1t is proposed that
between the legislature and the needs
of the state there shall be created a
budget board or commission. Just how
the proposal may be fitted into our
plan of government and just what
powers the board shall have, have not
been fully determined, but it is urged
that it should have comprehensive,
exact and expert knowledge of the
states needs and thus aid in provid-
ing uniform, efficient and economical
methods of maintenance.
The budget will tend to reduce
state tax and to increase the purchas.
ing power of the states dollar. But
the problem Of reducing state tax is
deeper than this. An examination of
the auditor-generaPs annual tax state.
ments shows certain fixed or over.
head charges which cannot be mate.
rally changed. 1t shows appropria-
tons for our university, our colleges
and schools which no friend of edu.
cation can well oppose. 1t shows ex.
penditures for public highways and
for other progressive measures which
find ready support by our people. In
none of these can be accomplished
reduction of tax.
Refers to Correction Work.
"And finally we have the tremend-
Gus cost of maintaining the detectives,
dependents. unfortunates and prison
ers of the state and any thoughtful
man who reads will ask: rs all this
The leading medical
of the state. the medical
societies, the child's congress, the
prison reform leagues and other well
fare organizations are telling us that
II is not.
But we know that IL the number
Of inmates In our state institutions
increase state tax will also increase
md ii Is said by some that the per-
centage Of increase of detectives y
- = -. =, y