The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1923-04-12
not be incurred. When, then, the
board of directors finally can legally
meet, after a lapse Of two years (as

not be incurred. When, then, the
board of directors finally can legally
meet, after lapse of two years las
in the case of the legislature), can
that board Of directors be held re-
sponsible for the indebtedness of the
concern? Even though that board
Of directors (the legislature) may
conscientionsly desire to protect the
interests of the stockholders (the
taxpayers), does it appear reason
able that they may refuse to pay
such indebtedness, when it Is known
that the creditors are rightfully en-
titled to payment? By the same
token if in consequence Of the debt
an assessment of stockholders (the
taxpayers) of one dollar each is
required, can that board of dircc-
tors, by some wizardy Of figures,
say that the debt can be paid by an
assessment of only half that amount?
Comparing this with the situation
in this state when the legislature
met will quickly show why the Re-
publicans could not reduce taxation,
and at the same time it will show
WHERE THE BLAME BELONGS
TO THE DEMOCRATIC Ex-
GOVERNOR AND STATE OFFICE
HOLDERS. 1t will also show the
unfairness of endeavoring to saddle
me blame upon the Republican
legislative majority and the result
ing bad faith of anyone who would
stoop to such ,aotics for political
purposes.
Aside from the deficiency appro-
priation bills which it was necessary
for the legislature to pass, there
are many other reasons why the
state tax rate is higher, and the
fault may be fairly placed upon
the doorstep Of the Democratic
party. In every instance the Demo-
cratic members Of the legislature,
and particularly the Democratic
officeholders, from governor on
down, placed every obstacle possi-
BILE in the path of the Republican
majority. This was to be expected
in some degree, but in this instance
such obstructing tactics were carried
to extremes. Every economy meas-
ure brought forward by the Repub-
licans met with determined and, we
are sorry to say, effective opposi-
ton, due to the weakness of a few
majority members and the concerted
determination of Democratic legis-
lators and officeholders, who for the
sake of politics were determined
that no possible Democratic political
worker should be stricken from the
state payroll. On the other hand,
every conceivable effort was put for
ward to strengthen the political ring
which has for the last few years
been rapidly growing in power in
this state.
The Republican, members of the
legislature wanted to cut the salary
Of the president of the university.
The Democrats wouldn't let them.
The Republicans did cut the salary
of the state engineer, and Governor
Scrugham vetoed the bill. Dozens
of economy bills were introduced
by Republicans, including the COM
mission and office consolidation bills,
introduced by Senator Miller, all of
which failed of passage only because
of Democratic opposition, and all
of which would have resulted in
great savings to the state.
As a concrete example of how
things were run: The Republicans
found they had made a mistake in
passing the old-age pension bill, and
when they found out that their
efforts to succor the old-timers
would result in a tax levy impos-
sible to maintain, a repeating bill
was passed. When the repeating bill
came before Governor Scrugham he
vetoed it, and for only one purpose
to create an additional snap for
Lieutenant-Governor Sullivan at
500 per month. The fact that such
action will cost the taxpayers $4,000
meant nothing to the governor-he
wants the political prestige that
goes with the expenditure of $4,000.
Out of this $4,000 the lieutenant
governor will receive approximately
$2400.
The Democratic newspaper would
cast reflection upon Republican men,
bers of the legislature, among whom