Ripley County democrat., 1917-05-18
Statement of GovernorF. d.
Gardner.

bankers OF st. Louis in which
they inform me that al; details
have been completed for the loan
to the state Of %, 150. 900 to pay
the states old dsbts, but that
they are now compelled to with
hold payment until June II be-
cause .hsy learn that petitions
are being circulated to refer the
inheritance tax bill TO the people
for q vote two years hence, which
would prevent the states receive
Ing the revenue during that peri.
cd. The bankers are Justified In
the position which they have ts-
ken, because / stated to them
that the receipts from this and oil
other revenue bills would be q.
valuable 10 pay off this loan. And
unless the bills become operative
there will be no way OF repaying
Che money.
II am deeply grieved and as
tonished to learn that a move.
ment 10 being made to defeat the
Inheritance tax bill. The state
ment that is baing made to secure
signatures that this inheritance
Tax bill would rob the poor widow
and orphans is fales. The bill
icaIlyIexempts widows to the
extent OF S15, 900 and each child
to the extent OF 5000. This is q
more liberal exemption than is
made in practically any other
state in the Union. aA
"If there ever was a time In the
history Of our state when patriot-
70 citizens should have their eyes
wide open that time 10 now. II
Che loan 10 not made every state
Institution OF Missouri will be
crippled and demoralized. We
will be unable to pay the debts OF
= the university, the normal schools
che insane asylums, the schools
for the deaf and the blind. the
homes for the old soldiers, tn .
pensions Of the soldiers, tn Q
claims for slaughtered live stock,
che debt for meat and supplies
tor the penitentiary--in fact, oil
work for the state will be practi.
oally stopped. Besides, II will
mean an annual loss OF $500. 900
Tor the school children Of the
state. These debts connot be
paid out Of the present revenue.
"And the most serious quest-
ION Of sll will be that just at this
time, when the eyes OF the nsticn
are turned toward Missouri for
help. she will not be able to re-.
spond II the inheritance tax bill
is defeated. We will not be able
10 pay the $4,000 past due for
che national guard. Neither can
we pay 400 per cent increase de.
manded by the Federal Govern
msnt under the federal defense
act. We cannot supply the mon-
~ for the Co 'lege OF Agriculture
nor the Board Of Agriculture.
which 10 now 90 imperative for
the production Of food supplies
''Those who imagine that I will
have no recourse In this matter
have not considered fully that
side OF the case. In the first place
I shall advise The Sscrstary Of
Gtsts to refuse 10 accept any pe.
titions which would Get aside ths'
revenue lave By fsfsrsndum, b..
cause the constitution speci6cal.
" exsmpis$ $hoss laws which arr
nscsssary Tor The safety of The
state. Although not |. lawyer. i
can conyincs any court that those
revenue laws are necessary for
IL ssftsy Of the state.
II NJ ssooai plspe. ! shall con !.
- ~ pstitions o. ne ground
tfInk money hsa bseu spspt to obs
saia1hsm. This vill snlbls us'to|
ming inio spurk II those psrsons|
wto hAss circuIatsd III psllilona'
snd ~ Men, whslhsF 6r not
shey have received pay. who put
up ths monsy 70 have no petition
eireulatsd and whst their motives