The Winslow mail., 1923-01-12

MIR. PRESIDENT, MIR. SPEAKER,
MEMBERS OF THE SENATE AND
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE SIXTH LEGISLATURE:
When Arizona was admitted to
statehood it was little dreamed that
we, her people, would be confronted
with SO many tremendous and vital
Iprob1ems as has been the case dur
ing the past ten years. 1t could not
be foreseen that, almost before the
fundamental law of Arizona could be
put into operation, our country would
be plunged into the greatest war the
world has ever known, and that the
resources of Arizona would play such
an important part in protecting and
shaping the destiny of the world.
When the Constitution of Arizona
was adopted it was hailed in many
quarters as being too progressive
too radical. Time and experience
have proven that the underlying
principles upon which the government
of Arizona is based, are sound. Our
institutions were put to the test dur
ing the greatest crisis in the history
of our nation and emerged, from that
experience completely vindicated.
The tremendous task of financing
the war and of paying the interest on
the public debt, added to the ordinary
cost of government, has become a
severe burden to the taxpayers of the
State and Nation. This burden has
become heavier in Arizona, due to the
drepression in industry and the loss
of markets for the products of our
mines and farms.
Having tested our Constitution and
laws and found them fundamentally
sound, our citizens must now bend
their energies toward finding the
leaks and stopping any unnecessary
expenditures. Economy must be the
watchword for the next few years in
Arizona. The State government and
| it's various subdivisions must apply
to their activities the same principles
which guide the thrifty individual in
times of stress. Luxuries, which in
times of prosperity contribute to the
enjoyment of life, should be done
. away with Simpler forms of living
should be adopted; unnecessary ex-
penditures should be curtailed; and
by the practice of economy healty
financial condition can be maintained.
The burden of taxation in Arizona
is proving to be a menace both to the
individual and to industry Hun
dreds of farmers have lost their home
steads; stockmen have lost their cat
tie and ranges; business men have
become insolvent; working men have
lost their homes and savings and
have been forced to seek employment
in other States.
The taxpayers are unable to meet
the present high cost of government
and at the same time continue to car
ry their various occupations forward
/ to success. This being the condition
| facing us today, retrenchment OF
State expenditures must be effected
The Democratic party, to whom the
citizens of Arizona have entrusted
the administration of the affairs of
the State for the coming two years,
/ has made a definite pledge Of econo-
my and efficiency in the administra
ton of the business of the State.
| This pledge must be redeemed. Eco
nomy means getting the maximum
value for the money expended.
In order that economy may be
practiced without impairment of the
efficiency of the State departments
and institutions, responsibility must
be definite. Each branch, office de-
partment and subdivision of the gov
3 h. co min
directed that there can be no evasion
of responsibility for the conduct of
it's affairs. BY referring to economy
efficiency and responsibility so early
in my message, l do SO to give added
emphasis to this important matter.
l have always believed in and spon-
sored progressive measures. | have
aways worked and striven for the adj
vancement of those principles of
progressive popular rule that makes
for high governmental ideals. | be-
lieve it is a matter of continuing
pride, in which l am sure all true
Arizonans will join, that the world
wide movement toward release from
political thralldOm, freedom from
class inequalities and oppressive gov
eFnm6nI OpeTdLlOu, linus us DcoC ca
preston in the progressive features
of the Constitution and laws of Ariz-
ona.
Recent political events of national
and international magnitude and of
worldwide Importance, clearly prove
that the people are awakening to their
political and economic necessities,
duties and responsibilities. The over