Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1920-01-22
j iii desirable requirements Of such

81 al1 desirable requirements Of such
= systeln.
Massachusetts, South Dakota, ILL
noIs, Arkansas, and several Of the
states have laws that throw consider
able light upon this subject, and have
many elements suitable to our condi-
tions, but none of them now written
can be used by US, as / believe that
Ievery law should be drafted to meet
special conditions and needs.
It is the consensus of opinion of
students Of this new subject that the
governor should submit the budget to
the legislature. But these writer's are
likewise of the opinion that he should
be aided in preparing his data by other
agencies. Taking our peculiar cohdi-
tions into consideration it occurs to
me that it would be best to have our
law embody this idea: Have the chair
man Of the state tax commission, and
the state auditor to jointly prepare a
statement Of the states taxable re-
resources, together with an itemized
statement (Which should be required
to be sent them by every institution
and board that receives apprnpria-
lions from the state), and that these
1.-TWO agencies submit this data to the
governor, from which the governor
would draw his conclusions and sub
nit same in a message to the legisla-
ture.
u Under our constitution it is the du-
lty of the governor to express his
views on all matters pertaining to the
states welfare, and this idea would
be thoroughly in line with the best
authorities on this subject, and would,
/ feel sure, bring about tn chest re-
suits.
/ trust you will pass an act estab-
fishing the budgetary system for our
state.
Board of Uniform Legislation.
A reasonable amount of experience
in law making forces every legislator
to the conclusion that we are in great
: need of board Of uniform legislation
similar to that in such a progressive
, state as that Of Wisconsin.
By the above term l mean Q board
of not exneeding three men, all of
: whom should be lawyers, and the best
lawyers in the state. 1t will meet
about three months before every legis-
tive session, and remain in session
each day until the legislature shall
close. It will be its duty to examine
the constitution and statutes of the
state, the decisions of our courts bear
ing upon same, and to draft all bills
covering the suggestions and needs as
shown by such decision, and all other
new and progressive laws that may to
them seem right and proper. They
shall. also draft bills for all lcgisla-
tors, Nnlegislators-e elect as the case
may be, and have them ready to be
introduced on the first day of the
session.
Two practical results would follow:
First: These men could straighten
out all the defects in our laws ;they
would act as craftsmen only for the
Legislature, giving such suggestions to
them from time to time as might tc
them seem expedient, thereby prevent
ing "lost motion" betyeen the house
and senate and consequently doubt
lgislatio on the part Of the house ane
seate on all matters.
Second: 1t would save an enormou
lot of time and money to the legisla
ture by adopting this new idea.
The writer introduced in the senate
some years ago bill along this line
and still think the elements embodied
in this measure would be one Of the
most progressive things this legisla-
ture could possibly do. 1t is not open
to the objection made by some that ii
is placing the law-making power il
the hands of three men, because they
are simply craftsmen, who work un-
der the direction of the legislature
hand their labors over to them, and
would have no jurisdiction at all over
the legislature, its rights, powers, and
responsibilities under our constitution
and statutes.
Three good men could be had at
reasonable compensation, and I urge
this body of progressive men to weigh
this suggestion very carefully. l feel
sure if it is enacted into law it
would be oe of the big, progressive,
things Of this day and sine.
Gasoline and Kerosene Inspection.
For many years this state has been
the dumping ground of inferior gaso-
line, kerosene, and many kinds of lu-
bricating oils. The advent of the au-
tomobile which uses thousands of gal