The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1921-04-22


get and Public Welfare have had APP
preparations made for them for the
next two years of 81 ,827,120. He adj
mits that the departments and bu-
reaus displaced expended during the
last four years only 81, 49, 48, which
in itself shows an increased cost of
nearly $500000. If he had made the
comparison with the appropriations
made two years ago for these depart
ments, he would have discovered, or
perchance revealed, the fact that the
new departments have had appropri-
ated for them nearly 100000 more
than the departments superseded re-
ceived two years ago. Why did not
the Governor make the comparison?
The answer is obvious.
By subm itting these measures to the
people, there will be saved to the state
the difference in the cost of operation
indicated in the foregoing analysis.
Moreover, there will be put to test
the question as to whether the people
specifically approve of the centralized
cabinet system, put forth by the Gov
ernor, under the guise of promoting
efficiency and eliminating useless Of
fees.
The discussion of these bills has
just begun. 1t must proceed in con-
nection with the increased valuations
of property and the increased state
revenues, without any manner of need
for them. The Democratic organiza-
ton, backed by determined public sem
timent, has endorsed the movement to
carry this issue of economy in admin
istration and Capitalization Of power
before the people. Governor Hyde
may now find out that he is not deal
ing with legislature. dominated by
"Czar" Lloyd, trained in the tactics of
st. Louis machine politics. He may
possibly find out that he, himself, has
been misled concerning his own bills.
Concerning the Budget System
The statements made in his st.
Louis speech concerning the budget
bill would make it appear that the
Governor is not aware of the actual
| provisions of these measures, or else
he is assuming to deceive the public.
He says that the powers possessed by
the new Budget Commissioner are
nothing more or less than those lad
visory powers" now possessed by the
Tax Commission. If this be true, why
should he have insisted upon the bud
get bill, with its doubtful provisions ?
If it adds nothing to the powers now
held by the Tax Commission, then the
Tax Commission already gives US a
budget system, and the Governors
new legislation was wholly unneces-
sary. Let us examine the bill in ques-
ton and find out for ourselves what il
actually does.
The Governor ignores the judicial
gerrymander and makes no reference
to the remarkable procedure of the
General Assembly in abolishing the
Criminal Court of Jackson County, and
abolishing the justice courts, for the
purpose of re-establishing the latter
in smaller number, so that the Gov
ernor may name successors to officials
chosen by the people. Can it be that
he has learned that the Circuit Court
of jackson County cannot by any
manner of means attend to the in
creased business imposed upon it by
this act, and that the fair-minded citi-
zens of the state are justly indignant
over the abolishing of elective offices
for the sole purpose of facilitating the
formation of political machine? The
Governors silence is significant.
Meanwhile these bills will be referred
and the whole issue will be taken to
the people.
1t must he borne in mind that the
Governor cannot properly assume that
the measures adopted by the Demo-
Gratis are in the least obstructive.
They have not interfered with his
county unit bill, which he has said
was "the keystone of his program"
They have merely contented them
selves with denouncing his course as
to taxation.
They have not even complained ov-
err the revision of the states election
laws, although many of the provisions
of the bills are Objectionable.
They have not disturbed the consol-
dated eleemosynary institution meas
ures, although many features CT this
! legislation are reprehensible.
They have not taken into the refer
endum any of the consolidation bills,
except those which create enormous
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