The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1872-11-28


effect upon the State treasury viii b Ii
same, whether II "a refunded to the cour
ties and townships, or transferred to Ii
school fund" There existed, Therefore
October l, 1872, o deficiency OF 5000 x
Tha amount due the two school fund:
October /, 1871, was $50, 400 o.; In add
ton 70 this there was an indebtedness {
$2l ,20204, which had been created 10
the hospital for tho insane and university
90 that the total deficiency October l, 1871
was $I7,768 90. When We take into con
sideration that the usual demands on III
treasury were all met, this deficiency Q
the preceding year provided for, aud Ii
expenses Of the Constitutional Conyen
ton paid during the last fiscal year, leav
ing but small balance against the treas
ury, we have good reason to be gratifleC
at tho improved condition Of the finances
On the first day Of October, 1871, thert
remained unexpended $7s,41S II Of pre-
vious appropriations, Of which $37,077 5!
were paid during the last fiscal year. Oh
the first day Of October, 1872, there re-.
NAMED unexpended $4l ,054 80 Of pro
yious appropriations, which must be pait
during the present fiscal yesr. Thil
anomalous plan Of carrying over appro
priations from one year to thenext grow
out OF the fact that while tho fiscal yea
begins on the first day of October, the
Legislature which Is 10 make the appro
priatlons for the year does not convene
until long Afterwards, and the appropria-
tons are not made until about March /,
five months after the commencement o.
tho year. And u clause Is usually insert
cd IN the appropriation act, making II
lawful to pay any Of the money appro
prtated at any time before the first day o.
March next succeeding the close of the
fiscal year. Consequently, while the ifs,
cal year theoretically begins on the first
day OF October, It practically begins on
the first day Of March. There is another
more serious difficulty connected with the
present system. Many Of the appropria-
tons are exhausted at the close Of the ifs.
cal year, and II the Auditor and Treas.
urer were to refuse 10 pay the ordinary
expenses OF the State government until
the Legislature convenes and makes the
necessary appropriations for them, Il
would cause serious embarrassment. The
uniform practice has been for the Auditor
and Treasurer to pay these expenses, and
for the Legislature agterward 10 legaliEe
their action by introducing suitable
clause In the appropriation act. Absolute
necessity is all that can justify this course
approaching. AS the sessions Of the Leg.
stature will always close before the 1St
day Of April In each year, and necessarily
all appropriations will have been made
before that time, il the fiscal year were
made to commence on the first day Of
April annually, oil appropriations will
have been made before the beginning Of
the fiscal year, andthe Legislature would
not be called on as at present TO make
appropriations Of money for purposes for
which it has already been in part expend.
ed. Either some change ought 10 be
made in the fiscal year, or appropria.
ttOns ought to be made for o period
extending beyond the next meeting OF the
Legislature. The former course seems
liable to less objection than the latter, be.
cause the latter course would not require
for three fiscal years The
objections to tho present system, aside
from the constitutial question involved in
1t, are 80 apparent that you will doubtless
provide against them by adequate legis.
lation.
The new Constitution contains tae
wise provision that no money "shall be
taken for any other purpose than than
that for which it has been or nay be ap-
or provided" Heretofore ap.
acts have been rather loosely
drawn, and liberal construction Is given
them TO meet the exingencies Of the case.
This remark applies especially to the diff.
terent institutions. Without intending TO
touch upon a subject peculiarly under
your own supervision, allow me to suS.
gest that unless great care is used, there
may be a failure to provide means for
necessary purposes.
Section 49, article G, of the Constitution
is ms follows
"Bills making appropriations for the
pay OF officers and members Of the Leg
stature, and for salaries for officers Of
the government, shall contain no pro-
provision on any other subjct." A com.
pliance with this provision will require Ut
least two general appropriation bills.
lnasmuch as hereafter there will be
biennial sessions of the Legislature, APP
preparations must necessarily be made
for Two fiscal years. Buff the appropri-
atoms for the next fiscal year are made
without restriction rs to time and mode
Of payment, it may cause some embar-
rassment to the treasury during the first
quarter. No part Of the revenue from
taxes is required TO be paid into the Treas,
urY until the Goth day Of January; that Is
to say In the second quarter Of tho year;
therefore, II large demands are permitted
to be made during the first quarter, there
may not be sufficient money on hand TO
meet them.
Il is made my duty under the new Con
stitution to "present estimates Of the
amount OF money required by taxation
for all purposes" Owing to the iacl that
l have not yet received a full report from
the Auditor, l cannot at present perform
this duty. AS soon as am in possession
OF sufficient data TO enable me to make
the estimates, ] will furnish them. The
Auditors report will be laid before you al
an early day, and will, no doubt, contain
iull information ne TO the resources and
revenues Of the State.
l have already called attention to tlt
fact that lands on which taxes had beer
paid were returned delinquent, and the
owners compelled to redeem them. Ire
new recommendation made last year
that suitable provision be made for adjust
Ing claims of this kind, and re-llnbursinE
the claimants.
HosPITAL FOB TIE INSANE.
The unhappy condition Of the insane
the means used 10 restore them 10 healtl
and soundness Of mind, and their treat
ment and care, arrest the attention Of oil
humane persons. Under the Moderation!
OF civilized life, society has undertaken
their guardianship, and they have bccomt
the wards Of the State. The responsible