The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-12-29
FUNDS OF THE STATE.

FUNDS OF THE STATE.
AUDITOR HENDERSON Presents HIS
ANNUAL REPORT.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DOING AWAY WITH
CHRONIC PERvERsIoN IN ACCOUNTS, AND
KEEPING THE TRUST FUNDS INvIoLATE AND
APART-FIGUREs ON DEMOCRATIC RE
TRENCHMENT AND REFORM.
The Hon. Eb. Henderson, auditor of state,
has presented to the governor his annual
report on the condition of the funds under
his care. 1t is prepared with the most elab-
crate pains and contains many original and
valuable suggestions upon the management
of certain trust funds, and proposes new
and wise method OF SO changing the rules
for handling these fund accounts that no
confusion can possibly result as
it has done for years. These
suggestions are substantially the
same as those submitted recently by the
treasurer, and have mutually been agreed
upon by these two officers of the state in
their search for reform. In concluding his
report Mr.. Henderson returns thanks and
makes an acknowledgment of his obliga-
tons to Mr.. s. r. Downey, the governors
secretary, Treasurer Shaw and Mr.. f. o.
Foley, his deputy, Mr.. John ii. Piercy, his
clerk Of the insurance department, all of
whom have contributed to making the report
exhaustive and creditable to the state gov
eminent. The present fiscal year closed
with October 81, 1875. At its commence
ment. on November l, 1874, the state
treasury contained In cash $244, 203 7S,
thus distributed among the various
funds: College funds, sl,60S7S; surplus
revenue fund, S2,OO7 50; three per cent.
fund, S32 13; fund of unclaimed estates,
VI ,5l2 80; sinking fund, excess of sales,
81. 405 10; general fund, s2SS,642 SO. There
amount overdrawn by the school fund,
SIC, 29l "a, also on amount overdrawn by the
general land fund, 1929 80, which amounts,
added to S233. 642 SO, make the general fund
proper S244, 764 10.
RECEIPTS.
The receipts from all sources from Novem-
Der l, 1874, to october 81, 1875, inclusive,
were as follows: To general fund, g., 49,
40 10; common school fund. 81 ,992, 3l5 20;
college fund, s24,642 80; swamp land fund
81, 738 25; fund of unclaimed estates,
s1,e7s 80; total, "a A. 2ss 81.
DISBURSEMENTS
during the year from the several funds
have been as follows: From general fund
81, 997, PA SO; common school fund, 81, &c.,
595 75; college fund, $40, 355 "a; swamp land
fund, Sl,7A; fund of unclaimed estates,
Total, 81, OILS, 1893 81. Balance cash in treas
ury, November 1, 1875, $42l.S94 IS. There is
distributed among the different funds: Bal
ance in general fund, S423, 929 43; college
fund, $500, 79; surplus revenue fund, ST.
IL ir n5ss fHns f easses sSa s.
6SS 81; sinking fund excess of
sales), $2,2s4 81. Total, S439, 1872 SO.
Deduct overdrsfts by common school fund,
1874 and 1875, 81, 572 43, and oYerdraft by
swamp land fund, 1875, SSl5 So, which leaves
l, 1875, of S421 1894 IS. 1t is proper to state
that the sum OF S445, 234 IS is included in
the S4,019, 903 80 disbursements. which prop
| erly should be deducted from said last
named amount, being for transfer of funds
| on the warrant of the auditor to the funds,
| as follows: Interest on negotiable bonds,
S234, 2S6 SO; revenue of 1874, s2O2.6S 20; de-
linquent revenue, 1914 IL; school tax OF
1874, 8, 1854 25; total, S445, 234 So. For the
| same reason the actual receipts into the
treasury is the same amount, $445, 234 55,
less than shown by the foregoing figures,
81, 1877 ,094 SO.
FACT AND FICTION.
After thus giving in detail the condition
of the funds as shown by the ledgers, the
auditor proceeds to show what this condition
is actually. He shows the whole fictitious
method Of making ledger entries in the
trust fund accounts, by which the amour
of receipts and disbursements has been in.
creased. This perversion Of funds has all
resulted from not drawing the line between
these various funds and keeping them dis
tinct from each other. Money has been thus
II fra finn 70
tirely regardless of system, the only anxiety
of former officials seeming to be about the
accuracy of the fund as q whole
1t Is now proposed to keep these fund
books in such q manner that no mistakes
can possibly occur in these transfers. II
seems by this report that instead OF the re-
ceipts for the last fiscal year being 81, 1877,
0S4 SO the actual amount was S3,7j1 $50 "a
, and the disbursements for the same time
, instead of being $4,O19,9 SOB 81 should be 50,
, 54, $3.50 n. In this connection the sum So,
625 so should be deducted from the re-
ceipts, as the amount was paid into tn,
treasury by county treasurers In settlement
with the state, and afterwards refunded by
county commissioners overpaymen
of the amount due from such counties
The actual receipts from all sources durin,
the year were $, 74S, PA "a; actual disburse
ments, 1851 .O2S n; balance in treasury No
vember l, 1875, of years transactions, SIT.
l9l or; balance in treasury November l, 1874
S244, 203 70; balance in treasury November l
1875, S42l 1894 IS.
Then followed long and interesting his
tory of the origin of the state funds, show
ing how the trusts were created, and point
ing out how these funds have suffered
? losses in the past which have caused grea
labor and research of law and records in tn
different state offices.
PROPERTY.
} The total value of real and personal prop
erty in the state, for the year 1874, wa
1854 S57, AIS; and for the year 1876, 1897, 739,
! 1888; showing that during the past year Their,
has been decrease of S57, III ,692.
PUBLIC DEBT.
, The condition of the public debt of tn,
state, October 81, 1875, is as follows: Foreigl