The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1869-01-14

Iellel
lation, S96,415 90
Int'st certificates out
standing, 1906 80
Int'st certificates I'M
claimed 4, 4,44S 3S
Domest. creditors GER
tifcates, Al 67
Total unfunded, 1894 81
Total funded and unfunded, S33, ,2S6, ,946 Is
Which is the amount of the State debt
as before stated.
During the last eighteen years there
has been carried upon the accounts of the
Auditor General and State Treasurer,
and in their several public statements,
"depreciated funds unavailable" to the
amount of forty one thousand and thirty
two dollars. | recommend the appoint
ment of joint committee, by the Le-
gislature, whose duty it shall be to ex-
anime the said deprecated and unavail
able funds and dispose of them to the
best advantage of the Treraury or, if
found to be worthless, to cancel and de-
story them, so that the accounting officers
may be relieved from the necessity and
responsibility of annually accounting for
them.
The large cash balance remaining in
the Treasury on the 30th of November,
1867, has been used for the payment of
the twenty three million loan and for the
liquidation of outstanding claims against
the State. The investment Of the funds,
in one Of the modes recommended in my
last annual message, has, therefore, in a
great measure been rendered unnecessary
for the present. But in the event of large
accumulations Of money hereafter, the re-
com mendations therein given are respect
fully referred to, and renewed When
ever there may be surplus funds in the
Treasury, they can, with safety and bene
fit to the State, be employed in the pur-
chase of its outstanding bonds, and in
saving the interest on them which would
accumulate prior to their maturity.
l regret to state that the last Legisla-
ture, although fully forewarned in regard
to the insecurity and want of proper and
sufficient guards for the safe keeping of
the money of the Commonwealth, failed
to determine upon any mode by which
the Treasury may be effentually guarded
against the possibility of loss. The pre-
sent Legislature has it in its power to Sc
cure for itselfno ordinary honor, by the
enactment of such law, strong and eff
ficient for the purpose indicated, and the
enjoyment not only Of the appreciation,
but the permanent gratitude of every Cit
izen.
Notwithstanding the satisfactory reduc-
tion of the public Indebtedness, as shown
in the foregoing statements, and immense
State debt is still upon us, requiring near
ly two million of dollars to be collected
to pay the interest accruing upon it an
nually. Its extinguishment at the ear
liest practicable period, not inconsistent
with other public interests, is of the
highest importance to every taxpayer
cannot, therefore, too strongly urge the
strictest economy in respect to every ex-
penditure and the utmost retrchement in
every department.
Retrenchment is emphatically demand
ed by the people, in legislative expendi-
lures, as well as in every other branch of
the government. Their eyes are open to
investigate every transaction, and by their
ballots they are ready to strike down
those who will not take effective action
in favor of positive and radical reform
The money paid into the Treasury is the
property OF the people, every one of whom
has a just right to hold his representa-
tives to strict accountability for every
dollar that may be appropriated or ex-
pended.
| here renew the remarks made last
year on the subject of 'annual appropria-
tions," to which you are respectfully re-
ferred. For four successive years the
general appropriation bills have been
signed on the eleventh day af April, be-
ing about the time Of adjournment. The
Governor has been forced either to sign
the bills without proper investigation,
Notwithstanding any objections he may
have; suspend the means to defray the
operations of the government for the en-
suing year; or call an extra session of the
Legislature. | repeat that cit is earn
estly desired that the appropriation bill
be taken up, discussed and passed at a
sufficiently carly period during the scs-