Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-01-22

A DEPLORABLE SHOWING.
Commenting on the above, the Vieks-
burg Times says: ave this morning
publish a statement of receipts and dis
BuTsements, as shown by warrants
drawn by the auditor Of public accounts,
during the fiscal year 1873, which state
ment that officer is required to transmit
annually TO the governor. While it
must be admitted that the financial af-
fairs Of the State are in q deplorable
condition, the exhibit made, in the alb
sseuce Of explanation, presents them in
a much more unfavoTable aspect than is
warranted by facts. By reference only
to the aggregate amounts of receipts
and disbursements, the reader will be
startled by the apparent showing, that
notwithstanding the laTgely-increased
rate Of taxation, We are about
SIX HUNDRED AND SEVENTY -FOUR
THOUSAND DOLLARS WORSE OFF
than we were on the first day of January,
1873. Such is not, however, the fact, for it
will be observed that less than $4,000 of
Ehe State tax proper for 1873, was actu-
ally paid in during that year. This tax
should net about 81 ,OG0, coo, a. q but for
the extension of time for payment,
which was granted by legislative enact
pear among receipts, thereby materially
changing the general result. a portion
Of this sum has already been paid into
the treasury during the present month,
and much Of it is yet in the hands of
tax collectors. 1t will also be observed
that S3l3, ,9l2, received on account of
State tax for 1872, appear in the state
rnent under consideration. After de- |
ducdBg this amount from the tax Of
1873, which does not, but which ought |
properly 10 appear, we have sufficient
balance to
OFFSET THE EXCESS
Of disbursements over receipts. The /
carrying over accounts from one year to
another, and consequent confusion, can
only be remedied by a change Of the
fiscal year, and All abandonment by the
legislature Of the policy Of affOrding
temporary relief 10 the taxpayers by
granting extensions, which, in the end,
operate lnjuriOusly upon those who
ere obliged to foot the bills. There
can be no doubt but that the
extensions granted last year, will re-
duce the income of the State at least
one hundred thousand dollars. The fis
cal wear should be uniform and should
commence on the first day of July, and
end on the thirtieth day Of June. 1t
would then be possible for the auditor of
public accounts and State treasurer, on
The assembling Of the Legislature in jan
nary, to present
CLEAN BALANCE SHEETS,
showing the receipts and expenditures
for the preceding year, in such form as
would enable that body to act under
standiugly in levying taxes and making /
auuropratiOns. The statement of dib-
bursements is suggestive Of eXtrava-
qauce in many particulars, which will,
90 doubt, command the attention Of the
legislature. Nothing short Of the most
rigid economy on the part Of the admin
istratiOn will satisfy the demands Of a
people already burdened with taxation,
while the public debt is steadily being
increased"
RECOMMENDATIONS
In another article in the Times, Of the
sfme date, the following suggestions
ans remarks appear: "The receipts for
Oelol, er, November and December are
s5-s S67 "a less than in the correspond.
1ng months Of the previous year.
THE FALLING OFF
s ettrjbuted 70 the financial pabic, and
lac extension OF the time for the collec-
ion of the taxes. Disbursements in
1873 were SI4S,I95 81 less than in 1872.
There being no less than four different
terms for the fiscal year, TO wit: State
lax, January lst to December 3lst; priv
ilege tax, April lst to March 3lst; insu.
rance licenses, from March 4th, and
school tax, September lst TO August 3lst :
the auditor suggests one uniform year. /
lie also invites the attention Of the leg
stature 10 the balance OF the commons.
school fund, amounting to S8l5,963 40,
which the constitution requires TO be in
vested, and recommends that hereafter .
licenses be paid TO county treasurers di-
ect, thus saving double commissions. :
The removal OF
CERTAIN LIABILITIES r
,u account Of Judiciary depar tment from q
he State to the counties, in accordance J.
gith suggestions contained IN the report {
4 1872, IS shown TO have resulted in a
lAving to the State Of about seventy-fiye i
thousand dollars. The auditor suggests c
hat the equalization OF assessments [
should precede the levy Of taxes, in or q
Ger that the board Of supervisors may I
set unGerstandingly, and recommends &
hat chancery clerk2 be required TO per= {
'orm the duties Of county auditors, with
iuii power 10 call loT and Inspect every
officials books, the payment o. taxes by {
collectors at short Intervals; and more 3
summary method Of co'aieiling settle ]