The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-01-30

The Auditor General III his report (Schedule
K.) Of delinquent taxes returned, and of balance
due to, or from the several counties, places to
the credit of the counties of the sum of :l4i,.
Ol9 %, but with the exception of the $50, 200
on the canal lands, 'this is in no wise to be con-
sdered debt due from the State to the counties,
as the money has not been received into the
treasury; it is the amount of delinquent taxes
remaining unpaid in the form Of State bids and
State tax lands unsold, and for the purpose of
collection, bid off to the State; when these
State bids, or State tax lands are sold, the coun-
ty taxes are paid over to the several counties to
which they are due"
The Legislature of 1857 passed "an act to
provide for the improvement of nav cation over
the sand flats Of the Muskegon river" and ap-
prOpriated for that purpose $4,000, to be
paid from the internal Improvement fund of this
State" Section 8 of the act declares, that "no
money shall be drawn from the general fund in
the treasury of this State, for this purpose, nor
shall the State be responsible held liable for
any contract growing out Of this Improvement,
except as herein otherwise provided" This
work has been completed and accepted by the
proper authorities contemplated by the law,
but as there was nothing to the credit Of the in
ternal improvement fund, the appropriation re-
mains unpaid. The contractors claim that mon.
used for other purposes of the State. Should
the whole or any portion OF this claim be allow
ed, the amount so allowed, must be added TO the
debt of the State.
Yolr committee have included in the es,ima-
ted receipts into the treasury for the years SCI
1852 and 9G3, the proceeds from the sales of
primary school, university and normal school
lands they do this from seeming necessity as
the financial condition of the State will not war
rant their immediate withdrawal: but in the
Judgment of your committee, the best interests
of the State no less than the well being of the
trust funds, demands that as soon as the finances
Of the State will allow the annual receipts from
these sources, should be Withdrawn from the gen.
eral fund.- ard be safely invested in the bonds OF
this some other State.
! As the taxes of 1861 and 1862 will not be re.
ceived into the Treasury until S62 aud 1863,
and must be relied upon TO meet the expenses
/ of the Government for those years, your commit
/ tee have prepared and herewith submit tables
showing the estimated revenue and expenses OF
/ the State for the fiscal years ending November
/ 80, 1851, 1862 and 1868. Table A exhibits the
estimated revenue and expenses for the present
year, showing deficit at the close of the year,
/ of slS4,5?3 81. Tables and exhibit the es
I timated revenue and expenses for the year end
I ing November 80, 1862, showing deficit at tha,
time of s76, lao - Table D and f, the estima
ted revenue aud expenses for the fiscal year end
/ ing November 80, 1868. with a surplus at the
close of that year of s5s,s09 IS. These table:
are made upon the basis of States tax Of two
mills On the dollar valuation for each of the
years ls6l and 1862, and upon an estimated
taxable valuation of one hundred and sixty mill
ions of dollars.
:. As the State Board Of Equalization does no
meet until August, no positive valuation car
nov be fixed upon. but in the opinion of you
committee, prudence will not allow a higher esti
mate than loo. 600. 900, this sum being one mill
ion of dollars more than the aggregate value o
the real and personal property Of the State, a
taken from the records Of the several countie
by the United States census marshals but th,
true valuation; as estimated by the late Audito
General, would exceed this sum by more tha,
one hundred millions of dollars.
Should the State board Of equalization, how
ever, fix the taxable valuation at sls COO, 900
the aggregate of the State tax for 1851 and 1862
would be increased So, 900 for each year, leav
ing still deficit at the close of 1862 Of $36, IL
Il, but surplus at the close of 1868 Of &l3s
SOC ss.