The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-01-03
WEDNESDAY MORNING, JANUARY 3, 1917.
FACING THE FACTS.


FACING THE FACTS.
In his message to the legislature yesterday Governor
Stewart lays bare the distressing situation that confront
the state treasury He calls attention to the fact that four
years ago. when he office there cash bal
ance of $243 100 in the treasury
Two years ago. this balance had been reduced to 5665
We begin the year 1917 with all the recent tax levy
hausted in the payment of current bills and with deficit
of $1S45o5
cash balance of $243,0O0 and accumulated debt for
ordinary running expenses, of S1s6,595.
The governor calls attention the further fact that the
last legislature appropriated something like 100000 in
OF the state revenues which the board OF examiners
had pro rate best they could in order to make buckle
and tongue Even then the treasury left the be-
ginning of the present year with $1S45o5 of unpaid
rants. his is not comforting situation.
AS an example OF the financial joy riding that has become
the CUSTOM where the spending of the taxpayers money is
concerned the governor also calls attention to the further
fact of the steady increase the cost legislative sessions
The legislative session Of 1909 cost 1920
The legislative session of 1911 cost..--~--,- 105,224
The legislative session of 1913 cost 1892
he legislative session Of 1918 cost 155423
In other words the expense of the legislature itself has
been more than doubled in the space of six years
Along with the rising tide of appontive places
at each legislative session. there has deputy
game Wardens inspectors of weights and measures
deputies and statutory offices of every nature
kind and description until the state payroll has become
thing most formidable to contemplate.
In his farewell address to the Ohio state legislature yes
terday Governor Willis, in recommending the abolition Of
useless offices and sinecures said:
Ohio inspected to death
But while all know these things and discuss them in
desuory way, the place hunters continue lobby and
intrigue tor public jobs and good-natured and
pacent legislators steadily yield the insstent demands
of the horde of tax eaters for additional places at the public
crib.
The statement has been made that during the last O-year
period about 500 additional offices have been created in the
state government of Montana.
The governor in his message frankly admits the embar-
rassment of the present situation and recommends the
ton OF
s"t T' "" full"
authorized to draft suitable constitutional amendment
mission of
But the appointment of al this time to re-
port draft of constitutional amendment be submitted
to the legislature in 1919, that the event its
concentrations being favoraby considered by that legsa-
ture that it will then become necessary to submit the
amendment to the people for ratification in 1920.
hat only postpones the matter for at least four
years. In the meantime what going do about the
bankruptcy that threatens?
Three years ago committee of disinterested citizens
this state at the expenditure of considerable time in nves
tgang the NATTER and using the report Of the
commissions in California and Wisconsin for their basis
drafted and tried initiate license bill that would have
added about 100000 annually the of the
treasury.
Unfortunately from lack of circulate the inta
petitions, the movement failed by the margin
of one single county.
The bill in question fair In fact in order tc
avoid any suspicion of unarness to the interests involved
the specified in the bill fell short of equitable
distribution of the burdens of taxation upon the big
mining water power, express telephone and telegraph
companies doing business in the state which under ou
present antquated and nequabe system of taxation es
cape the payment of their just portion of public taxes
If the present legislature wishes to relieve the presen