Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1920-10-14
GOVERNOR FRAZIER
F0RCETS PROMISE
TO REDUCE TAXES
Review Of Second Inaugural
Address of State Executive
Shows He was Merely Talk
ing For Applause Of Tax
Payers of State.

On January 8, 1919 before the
joint session of the two houses of
the legislature, Governor Frazier
delivered his second inaugural ad-
dress. He pointed out to the men,
bers that they represented those
who expected faithful performance
of duty, and reduction in what
he then termed the high taxes, paid
for poor service.
The sixteenth assembly had an
opportunity to make North Dakota,
said the governor, state that
would attract settlers, and new po-
pulation from the justness OF it's
laws.
The governor urged the legisla-
ture to devote its time to reducing
state expenses first. He also urged
that no new boards, or new COM
missions be created with salaried
officers to support and that existing
boards be consolidated to save ex-
pense to the tax payers. He point
ed out how one salaried man and
two state officials could compose
the state board of control, that had
three salaried officials. He pointed
out how other offices could be COM
bined and urged policy Of re-
trenchment of costs in our state
government.
The people of the entire state ap-
plauded the governors address and
the subscribing members of the
league confidently looked forward
to seeing real reform in North
Dakota.
Extravaganza Instead of Economy
But what followed showed that
the governor was only talking for
applause, for the Nonpartisan
League majority, as soon as their
committees could get in working
order, began introducing the most
radical measures and extravagant
appropriation bills ever seen in the
North Dakota legislature. The very
opposite Of what the governor talk
ed about was done by the leaders
in the secret caucuses of the league
held in Patterson hall. New state
boards were created, new officials
provided for, taxes we're increased
on farm lands and city property
and the governor afterwards signed
the bills, made the appointments
and defended his course apparently
we'll pleased at the result.
In the light Of what actually fol-
lowed, was the governor merely
talking hot air for effect at the
opening of the session, or was he
to lsign bills and make
appointments which he did not per-
sonally approve Of, and which were
Just the opposite Of what he recon-
mended thru the legislature at the
opening of the session? 1t is chari-
table to suppose that the governor
did not know the entire program
that had been prepared for the
legislature by the socialist leaders.
and that he could not escape the
influence and control of Townley
and those who had hatched out the
schemes for the league.
Otherwise why should the COVER
nor urge reduction in taxation. a
consolidation of offices, a cutting
down of the salary lists, to save ex-
pense to the farmers, and then al
forwards abandon the policy and
sign bills that we're the very oppo-
site in their purpose to what he
urged before the session began!
Farmers and all citizens OF the
state who disaprove of this kind OF
government can put an end to 1t by
changing administrations this fall.
Elect O'Connor governor and leg
fslature that will insure a safe and
reliable government not controued
by radical socialists.