mended increasing these taxes because the overriding concern was the
maintenance of sound_ education and welfare programs. Politically
speaking, it was not a wise move. No tax increase sits well with the
public. To serve in good conscience, however, a politician, whether
he be a local municipal officer or the President of the United States must
abandon political motivation if he is to promote the welfare of the
citizens who place their trust in him.

There are many who contend that the funds appropriated to raise
teachers salaries and insure sound welfare programs could have been
financed from the State surplus. What they fail to realize is that the
State currently is running an annual average operating deficit of approx-
imately $7 million. To dissipate our surplus in one fell swoop rather
than use it to offset our annual deficit, in my opinion, would have been
foolhardy and unwise.

When we embark on new programs, the public should be called upon
to provide the means of financing such programs immediately. Govern-
ment must be fiscally responsible if it is to function effectively. We fool
no one if we enact a program one year then attempt to finance it years
later when many of our citizens have ceased being familiar with the
very program they are being called upon to support.

With respect to capital improvements, funds appropriated for new
and replacement facilities at the five state teachers colleges have in-
creased significantly in recent years. During the first three years of my
Administration, more than $5 million was appropriated for capital
improvements at the teachers colleges. This exceeds by more than $1
million the total appropriations for teachers colleges made during the
last three years of the previous Administration. It represents an increase
of nearly 27 per cent. In 1961, slightly more than 40 per cent of the
entire capital budget was devoted to public education.

Much, however, remains to be done. I am planning to request the
next session of the General Assembly to approve increased appropriations
for projects relating to our five state teachers colleges. I am recom-
mending the construction of a new library, new science buildings, dormi-
tories and other instructional facilities.

The future role to be performed by our teachers colleges will depend
to a large extent on the recommendations of a special committee now
studying the problem of higher education. The present committee is
continuing the study first undertaken by the Warfield Commission. I
think we all can agree that, although the recommendations of that Com-
mission were not universally accepted, the public spirited men who

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