The Sauk Centre herald., 1925-01-08

dated into few major depart
ments.
2. That the governor be Civ
en- power to limit and control
the expenditures of these depart
ments through department of
administration and financial con-
troll, in which shall be centered
the budget making, auditing, pur-
chasing, personnel selecting and
tax regulating functions of the
state.
! %. The abolition of all de-
partments and activities that are
obsolete and the repeal of all
laws creating functions which
the state should no longer exer-
else.
1T is to- be noted that this plan ex-
tends the power of the executive in
one direction only: 1t gives him pow
er to limit and prevent the expendi-
ture of public money. Up to this
time he has had responsibility for ex-
travagance without power to prevent
! it.
"Giving the executive power to
limit expenditures in no wise relieves
the legislature Of responsibility to
hold down the appropriations. The
legislature, from time immemorial
has been the tax payers last line of
defense -
The new governors statement that
the voters have said they edo not
want increased bonded indebtedness
and further statement that "we
should create no new state obliga-
tlons," were taken as indicating a de-
termination to oppose the Babcock
good roads $4,000, 900 bond issue.
He also declared that the state should
mot accept any new form of federal
aid conditioned on state expendi-
lures. I"
The legislature was urged to study
taxation, not only from statewide
standpoint, but with view to legis-
lation which would curb taxation. He
urged reasonable limitations be
placed on the power Of municipali-
Tel to issue bonds. -
q Motor busses should come under
regulation of the state railroad and
warehouse commission as common
carriers, the same as railroads and
street railways, he declared.
Coordination of the state agencies
having to do with conservation of ma
tural resources was urged, and some
definite plan to be worked out after
departmental reorganization, is ac-
complished, was hinted at.
four educational system is expen-
sive enough-let us now labor to
make education intensive" he urged
regarding the states educational po-
licy.
"You will note that I am making
no special plea for any group" he
said toward concluding. 81 am not
asking for legislation for the special
benefit Of the farmer, the working
man, the merchant, the manufactur-
er, the women, or any other body of
people. Special remedial legislation
=
to correct marketing evils, to equal
ize tariff protection, to reduce trans
porting costs, must come, when it
comes, from the federal government.
Transportation and marketing prob
lems that cross state lines and in
volve national policy are for con-
gress.
II am proceeding on the principle
that what is best for the people as
whole is best for every class Of peo-
pie. Remove determinations created
by law in favor of any group and you
will go far to eliminate the necessity
of legislation for the relief of other
groups.
He urged the slogan-"When in
doubt-vote no."
II can say without offense that leg
islature sin more often by enacting
laws than by defeating proposed
measures. &
"It would be to the credit of the
1925 legislature if it should pass few
er laws than any of its predecessors"