The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1884-12-11

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Appended is a comprehensive summary of
the status of funds and the suggestions as to
assessments, etc., made by the state auditor.
COMMENTS ON THE FINANCES.
The revenue fund from which the general
expenses of the state are paid is over(lrawn
$1O2, 439. OF. There has been no balance
over liabilities in this fund for several years
Over $500, 600 has peen expended in replac
ing structures destroyed by fire, absorbing
all estimated receipts from taxes, and in adj
dition $3.50, 900 received from revenue loan
OF 1883. The estimates for the year ending
July 81, 1885, show deficit OF a$37, 900.
It will be necessary to make some provision
July 81, 1886. The proper method will be
to consolidate the state institutions fund
with the revenue, fund The former fund Is
derived from taxes paid by railroads. IF the
consolidation is made, the state will soon be
in condition to take up all out
to about 500, 1885: The present rate
of one mill state tax will probably be
sufficient to meet anticipated expenses. The
annual charge upon the state institutions
provision requiring an amount sufficient to
pay the interest on the railroad adjustment
bonds to be set apart annually. This re-
quires about 100000 per annum. The
estimated receipts for three years show q
surplus sufficient to warrant a transfer to
the annual overdraft on that fund.- The
auditor favors the consolidation of the two
funds. There arc orders outstanding against
the text book fund Of $39, 785. So. The
statutes Appropriate $50, 900 for revolving
fund, which is intended to be self
supporting, through payments by coun-
ties This is not the case, as some
counties are tardy in making pay
ment, and owing to unusual pressure on the
revenue fund the state has not been in con-
10 c,,11x o1xy until f1o sro
ments Of the law The law should be
amended, making payments due the state
compulsory on the part of counties ordering
books II the funds are consolidated as
suggested, these difficulties will be largely
obviated. The 1871 ,5O7.O6 received from
the internal Improvement fund in 1882 has
all been expended in payment of appropria-
= lions for bridges The amount due for 1883
has not been received. Reports of bridges
constructed in 1888 have been received suf-
ficient to exhaust all or nearly all due. Ap-
preparations for bridges were made by the
last legislature tor two years. Many bridges
were built in 1888, but money not being
available, the contractors are still waiting
amounts due. These difficulties may be
avoided in the future by dividing the bridge
appropriations. making part payable in 1886
and the remainder in 1887.
THE SCHOOL MONEYS.
The permanent school fund has now an
accumulation of $6> 255, 632. 49,. The sales
Of school lands for 1853 and spring sales OF
1884 amounted to III, 584 acres. at the
average price of $3.50 per acre. The entire
sales for all years amount to 9O8, las acres,
at an average of Sc. OF per acre. The
original grant, embraced One-eighteenth part
of the state, or about 8, OOO, 900 acres To
this will be added one-h half the proceeds of
swamp lands which may become the states
property after grants have been filled. The
ultimate accumulation of this fund is likely
to reach 81 zoo. 900 or $40. 100000 The
payments of principal, excepting that re-
quired at sales, on all classes of lands, from
Dec 1, 1882, to July 81, 1884, was $432,-
497 SO, and 800 patents were issued The
auditor recommendsSthe repeal Of the law
providing for double interest on land pur-
chases not paid on June L and the pro-
vision for abatement of the penalty
and would have the law amended by
making the interest II per cent on interest
not paid June /. This will most effect
ually protect the state and be more salts
Z factory to all concerned, The permanent
university fund now represents an accumu-
lation of $685., 708. 80 Tho entire grants
subject to sales for this fund amount to 1884,
353 acres, with 18, 900 acres yet to be ap-
proved to the state. This fund will event.
ually amount to about 1000, 600 The
statute provides no method for giving q
railway right of way over univerHity lands
This should be provided for, and the law
made retroactive Y The internal improve
mentI land fund now announts to 81, 3OO,-
Cos. ~, and.224, 849 acres have been sold
at an average Of S. SO per acre, leaving
274.83a acres upsoM The interest i used