The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1860-01-11

compared, not merely with the entire
property, but with the entire products
OF the State, which according to my os-
innate in 1853, amounted III 1857 to
S26l 1867 500, and doubtless exceeded
that sum in 1859, or with the probable
net products after deducting the con-
sumption, direct and indirect, of the
people, the qualification afforded by the
spectacle of our general prosperity,
will not be easily abated.
While this review of the progressive
development of our revenue system and
of our maternal resources, must neces-
sarily inspire Just confidence in the
physical energies and financial strength
of our great commonwealth, it will also
serve, I trust, the humber purpose of
contributing to clearer understanding
Of the relations of taxation and disburse-
ment to means of contribution, and of
the necessity of carefully observing
these relations in levies and appropria-
tons.
The fundamental principle of our rev.
enue system, that all property not ex-
empted upon overruling considerations
of policy, shall contribute to necessary
public expenses in just proportion to
value, is now firmly established in the
convictions of the people, and nothing
is more certain than that they will in
sist on it's uniform and universal arpli-
cation. If there be any description of
property which has hitherto escaped Just
contribution, the Legislature represent
ing the people will not hesitate to sub
ject it to the operation Of the general
principle.
1t is n great merit of the system that
it is easily understood, and that the re-
suit of any given rate of assessment
cannot materially deceive expectation.
As the Grand List supplies the bas of
revenue, and as the necessary means to
meet all State, County and municipal
expenses are provided by assessments
for State purposes on the entire list and
for local purposes for the property list
ed within the respective localities, leg
islative adjustment Of lcvies to the pub
lie needs, and of appropriations to lev
les, can never be difficult. The rates of
levy being fixed, the revenue for the
years intervening between general yalu-
ations can always be predicted with rea-
sonablc certainty. The equalized valu-
alton is the permanent, and the annual
valuations are the variable elements of
the Grand List. The equalized valua-
ton once made remains unchanged un-
til the next valuation year. The first
Grand List after equalization exhibits
the aggregate subject to contribution;
and the Grand Lists of subsequent
years until a new valuation, viii, Of
course exhibit the same aggregate. in,
creased or diminished only by the in.
crease or diminution Of the annual val
uations. The Grand List of no year ex-
cept Immediately after general valua-
ton, or in CONSCIENCE of some legisla-
tive action, the result of which the Leg
islature must of course foresee, can DIFF
fer widely from that Of the preceding
year.
The General Assembly convened in
any year, has, therefore, always at hand
the means of ascertaining, with substan-
tial accuracy, the revenues Of that and
the next fiscal year. LevieS already
made on the Grand List Of the preced-
ing year will produce the former, and
levios on the Grand List Of the current
year of rates fixed and sanctioned by
the Legislature itself will produce the
latter. With q given basis and given
rates it is easy to compute revenue
With these observations it seems
proper to submit to you suggestion
more than once addressed to your pre-
decessors:--that it is indispensable to
every sound financial system that mp
propriatiens oe limited by revenues,
and expenditures by appropriations
The arrangements which have some
times embarrassed our finances may be
traced, almost invariably, in the absence
of crime, to disregard to this saluta-
ry principle. Nothing but an overrul-
ing emergency can justify appropria-
tions beyond revenue, or expenditures
beyond appropriations. When 50 JUS
tilted, the appropriations in the former
case should be promptly provided for
by taxation; and the expenditures in
the latter case should be as promptly
reported to the Legislature for its judg-
ment and sanction.
I embrace this occasion to suggest
the expediency of requiring, under suit
able penalties for omission, all officers
having charge of works or institutions,
to state distinctly, in connection with
each annual report, whether any debts,
beyond appropriations, were outstand-
ing at tho close of the year, and, if any,
their precise nature aud amount. For
all such debts the officers contracting
them are, under existing laws, personal
ly responsible, and their payment, with
out express Legislative sanction, out of
any subsequent appropriation, should be
strictly prhibited. 9r
In this connection also renew my
recommendation of an appropriation
for each year Of q sum saficient to pro.
videagainst unfore emergencies, sub
ject only to the warrants of the Govern
or, to be drawn on satisfactory evidence
of necessities Unexpectedly requiring
extraordinary expenditures.
The public welfare would likewise be
promoted, in my judgment, if the sew.
eral officers Of tie Executive Depart
ment We're organized as an Executive
Council, and required to meet from
time to time, and whenever convoked
by the Governor, for consultation and
action in regard to public interests, The
sanction of such q Conncil to the drafts
on the contingenent appropriation just
proposed, would constitute an ample
guaranty sgainst improvidence and a.
buse. N.yr.re ar. sfsr4 egg-y,
I The whole amount of receipts into
the Treasury during the last, year was