Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-01-16
TIE FINANCES OF THE COMMONWEALTH.


tine legislature yesterday, the thirteenth an |
nual report OF his department. 1t Is full,
accurate, and complete statement of the tinan-
cial condition Of the commonwealth, as well
as of the pecuniary transactions Of the Year.
Some OF the mote intel esting results are pre-
sented in the tables appended to this abstract
OF his report
In addition TO the ordinary expenses of the
year, amounting to about 81, 100000, the state
his paid upward OF 100000 on account of
military expenses for the general government.
The total amount received into the treasury
on account Of ordinary revenue was 1885,
9S5 IS; and the total amount paid on the same
account was 81, 1853, 742 81. The ordinary ex-
penses Of the year, far as ascertained,
amount 10 81, 026, 3SS SO. The state has fur
ther expended for military purposes S3,l20,-
1911 06, of which it has received back from the
United States and other sources, 1854 ,376 10;
leaving balance of 81 436, APO 81 to be ulti-
mateiy refunded
The attention OF the Legislature is called to
the necessity OF providing Tor the payment OF
interest on the bonds OF the state loaned to the
Troy and Greenfield railroad company. The
amount loaned IS nearly $500, 900, the interest
of which at five per cent. 100000 the compa-
ny neglects to pay, and is therefore estimated
among tie expenses of tie year. There has
been one new bank organized under the gener-
al banking law during the year, making seven
in all, with an aggregate capital OF SS,9OOO0O,
and an outstanding circulation of 81, l07 4S2,
secured by stocks 10 the amount of 81 ,49S 200
The auditor suggests that these banks should
pay the salary OF the clerk required by the
duties OF this branch of his department.
The act ''in aid OF the families of volunteers
and for ether purposes" has caused much
trouble and dissatisfaction ON the part Of per
sons claiming the benefits OF lis provisions
The law has been construed as emitting to
state aid only thuse families of volunteers
whose income, including the pay of the volun-
teer, is insufficient for their support. Yet
some towns have returned Tor reimbursement
sums paid 10 families of officers as high as
colonel while some recruiting officers have
represented That tile state bounty was due to
all who enlisted, they not learning, till too
late, that the law applied only to regiments
raised in the state under the authority of the
governor, and whose officers were commits.
stoned by him. He recommends the legisa-
ture 10 adopt such measures as may be neces-
sary TO secure the uniform ard equitable APP
plication OF the law.
Returns have been received from 500 cities
and towns claiming reimbursement 4or sums
advanced under the above named act, TO the
amount OF $3.50, 1872 10. The q towns to be
heard from will probably raise it to S475,0O0
Should the same rate be allowed for the
whole year, the sum required for 1862 would
am cunt to S2,000,000l The families of Il, 2SS
volunteers have received aid under this stat
ute. Great inequality exists in the mode Of
administering it, some towns giving it the
most liberal construction, paying tie bounty
to the families of nearly all who enlisted,
whether needy or not, while others have
only given aid according 20 the auditors
more limited construction of the law. The
auditor is convinced that the returns Of the
to wns should undergo most thorough revision
before being allowed, and recommends the APP
pointment OF an officer or a commission who
cording to their judgment and discretion
During the year an important question has
arisen under the 10th chapter OF the General
Statutes, which provides that mo money shall
be paid from the treasury, but upon the war
rant of the governor, drawn in accordance
with an appropriation in some act or resolve
passed in the same poll Ideal year." except in
G.,J ii -
question also that 10 warrant shall he drawn
r(certain specified cases excepted), unless the
same is certified by the auditor. The act Of
1861 appointing Commissioners to make eX-
perimenls with the dam across Concord river,
at Blllerica, authorized them 10 allow certain
damages and to pay them, the provision being
added, 'the governor being hereby authorized
to draw his warrant therefor" a provision
heretofore understood to apply only TO cases
where there was a specific appropriation. The
question Of the payment OF such claims was
raised before the supreme court, which de-
cided that the act Itself was an apprOpria-
ton, and was sufficient Tor this particular
emergency, without specific appropriation, to
authorize the payment. The auditor was ad
vised by the attorney general in accordance
with this decision, and in pursuance of this
advice allowed the claims, and drew his GER
tificates accordingly. These decisions Of the
supreme court and the attorney general make
it necessary for the legislature hereafter to
omit the phrase, relating TO the governors
drawing his warrant, unless it is intended 10
make that equivalent TO a specific appropria-
ton in each case, and allow the bills TO pass
without the supervision OF the auditor. 1t
has become, says the auditor, the settled policy
OF the state to make particular appropriation
for all expenditures, and to require detailed
report from the auditor of the way in which
the money is spent. This is wise policy,
and it is of the first importance in securing
economy and responsibility in all the transac-
lions VI this department.
1t is estimated that the revenue Of 1862, ex-
elusive OF direct taxes, and from the ordinary
sources, will be $4,000. The estimated ex.
penses are, for ordinary purposes, 81, 100000;
Tor aid TO families OF volunteers, SAG, 900: in.
terest on military expenses incurred for the
United States, $4,000; interest on scrip
loaned to the Troy and Greenfield railroad
$4,000; tax Of the United States s7OO
894 49, total, 81. 435, 1914 10, Deducting the