The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1877-01-11
131,1@ 70
Less Revenue Fund

overd.awn 80. 90. $l4,s4444 sll6,264 20
The Auditor says that the statement OF bal
ances to the credit of the several funds shows
the general revenue fund 0verdraWn 3l4.844..
a. against SIS, 476 Sc ut the close Of the pre-
cedlng year; while the total OF it. outstand-
ing appropriations shows the State to be about
$6V, less in arrears than at the correspond
ing period Of last year.
direct your attention to the remarks OF
this officer relative to the advantages resulting
from . temporary resort to other funds upon
the exhaustion OF the general revenues In order
to meet current expenses in the most feasible
and economical manner; and ask your con-
sideration OF his suggestion for the passage OF
general law authorizing such use of certain
warrants upon the General Revenue Fund.
The total valuation Of the taxable property
OF the State tor lO76 AZ determined by the
State Boa1d Of Equalization, was, Gals, $50, IA
q decrease of g, 999 from that Of the pre-
ceding year. The rate of State tax is two
mills and the average rate for all State pur-
poses, one and two thirds per cent
The toroe OF the Auditors objections to the
present system Of township assessments viii
be realized by all persons familiar with the
evils OF unequal and low valuations of proper
~; and the adoption OF plan Of assessment
by county board Of assessors or by single
competent person removed from personal and
political influences in each county, as recon-
mended by him, would douk less 80 far to-
wards the desired improvement. Few SUBJ
jects are ola more immediate practical impor-
lance.
The support and practical operations OF gov
eminent are primarily dependent upon the
means thus derived; and the Just and Impair.
tial valuation Of property is both essential to
that and due to those upon whom the burden
tails. The responsible task which thus re-
qaires tor its faithful performance SO much
intelligence, Judgment and onscientious Ia
Dor, and which should devolve upon the most
competent and best remuneratod persons, is
too often allotted to the least capable, as a
cheap reward for disreputable political ser
vice. The result is, that the work is 80 igno-
rantly, and sometimes 60 maliciously done.
as to be Observation-Disclosures, and the &C.
tual service devolves upon the county and
State boards OF equalization. trust you will
address yourselves to the correction Of this
serious evil. l also request your attention to
the Auditors remarks relative to the taxation
OF telegraph and transportation companies,
and to his other suggestions, looking to great
er economy.
The operation Of the new tax law, for which
the State is much indebted to the efficiency OF
this officer, continues to enforce prompt and
thorough payment OF taxes, which it was de-
signed to accomplish. 1t is moreover crafty
ing to be able to announce that through the
Auditors efforts an adjustment Of the State
Swamp Land Grant is in favorable process by
which q large amount of swamp lands wrong
fully allotted to various railroad companies
and other grantees, will, it Is believed, be re-
covered to the State.
The following is the Auditors estimate of
non 1r,Ac nd NSokn~ AA-