The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1919-11-20

constitution. There is motor vehicle
tax almost sufficient to pay all neces-
sary expense of the state; tax on in
comes; special tax on lawyers, a 3
mill tax on debts, moneys and credits.
In short, it seems that every device
has been resorted to for the purpose
of increasing the tax burdens.
Then in their unbounded confidence
the solons and wise men have given
the Governor, his boards and bureaus
authority to fix salaries and titles and
to incur expenses without limit. Hence
the new annual pay roll is nearly
100000 in addition to the regular pay
roll. For the first time in the history
of the state we read of men getting
$4,000 year; and three, four or five
thousand dollars is quite common.
The motor vehicle tax gives the
Secretary Of State power to expend
all the tax for the purpose Of collect
ing it. That part of the statute our
Court has held void The law gives
the Highway Commission the power to
expend as they please as much of the
tax as may be put to their credit.
Thus far the credit is $3.50 900
Ehea expenses for road, ~. q s -lsst,
For salaries, engineering, clerk ,'s''
hire and general expense 231 900
The Attorney Generals pool hall
funds amount to S35 900
The expense is 10000
He is free to spend every cent of
the money. Now think it clear that
such laws are not constitutional The
state may not levy tax and say that
any person may spend it according to
his own good will and pleasure.
When the present state adminis-
traiton took office, it was thought we'll
to reward the faithful handsomely by
putting no limit to their power. The
Attorney General was the pet of the
household. He was the one whom the
wise men delighted to honor. He was
given for his department the free use
of nearly $4,000 a year, and per-
quisite of about another $4,000. He
was put on the Banking board, the
Auditing board, and in short, on ev-
cry board. During the first two years
he kept strictly in line and never once
crossed the powers that be, but dur
ing the past year he has thought him
self strong enough to go it alone and
do resent correction. If he has erred
the powers have got nothing only what
they deserved. It is down right folly
to make, king of a man and to trust
anyone that is a public servant with
out proper restraints and limitations.
It is folly to give compensation bb-
reau power to pay $500 or $4,000
for numbering rate schedule, when
in few days a competent board could
nave made a proper rate schedule
Now, at the coming session of the
solons we look for them to make
proper and just schedule of compen-
sation rates; to classify the civil SER
vice, and to fix just salary for each
appointee; also to limit and safeguard
the expenditure Of public money; to
provide monthly examination and
accounting and for more efficient pub
lie service; and, above all, to cut down
the tax levies.
In the banking, the milling and in
all the public utilities there must be
a strict and faithful system of ac-
counting without any whitewashing;
there must be no attempt to cloak or
cover up wrongs. IF mill managers
pay $500 for the inspection and val
1ation of a small mill the public should
know if such payment is in accord
ance with good business methods.
By Chapter 6, Laws of 1919, the
business of pool halls, dance halls, the
aters, taxi cab stands, etc., is made a
perquisite of the Attorney General
md all taxes upon the same are plac-
I'd at his disposal. Of course, that is
lead wrong. The state management
If local affairs is always bad and ex-
oensive and it is contrary to the letter
and and spirit of the Constitution.
Corliss, ex parte, 16 N. D. z47O.
Heed, O, heed Kositzkv's warning
JAMES E. ROBINSON.
Sam Aandahl has been in the city
for day or two and he has been busy