Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-01-21
TINE AUTHORS REPORT.
The Transactions Of the once for
the Two Years
Ending Respectively on the Thirtieth Of
September, 1888, and the Thirtieth
If September. 1884.

# September. 1884.
The statistics presented below are sugges-
tive. Inc actual receipts for the year 1888
for the State fund exceeded the estimated
receipts Sl66.2TO 81, q remarkable show
ing. II must be remembered that Of this
large sum Sl53,ObO was in the shape Of
loans to the State, but the increase is no
less subject for eOngrslulation. Almost
as good a showing is made for the year
1884 To the thoughtful citizen these
facts are food for earnest reflection. The
gain to the State is matter for eopgratula-
ton, because OF its immediate benefit to the
State, and because it affords key to
knotty financial problem. The Auditors
explanation Of this increase is undoubtedly
the true one, and that portion Of his report
which refers to the case Of the Chesapeake
and Ohio road should receive careful atten-
ton The most important recommends
ton is that the irredueible school fund
should be abolished. The reasons sd-
vanced BY the Auditor are worthy Of careful
consideration Undoubtedly the financial
officer of the State has given the subject
careful thought, and his opinions are there
fore Of unusual value.
The Auditors Report.
The Auditors report is made public.
The receipts at the Treasury during the
fiscal wear ending September 30, 1888
were ISIS, 7S3.94 The balance on hand at
the end OF the preceding fiscal year was
$50, 252.29, making total OF 81, l20OO6, 70:
Disbursements during the same period
$STT,Tl039. The various funds received
were accredited as follows: State Funds,
$40, 42O.64; General School Fund, S246,-
42l. %; School Fund, S3l, 94l.06; the sums
disbursed for the same period were State
Fund. $547, SS5.T4; the General School
Fund, $264,64l.72; the School Fund, $685.
7S2.9l.
The Second Year.
For the wear ending September 80, 1884,
the Treasury receipts were State fund, $685.
Go General School fund, 1927, 0ll.23;
School fund, $50, 3O2-l4.
The estimate Of receipts for the year 1888
for the State fund was 1871, $50 while the
artpal receipts were $40, 1864. In the
amount of actual receipts, however, were
included, $I53,0OO of loans to the State,
wbich If deducted from the amount ofSj4O,'
42O.64, viii make the actual receipts at the
treasury from the several sources OF revenue
for the State Fund 1881, 42O64.
The estimate Of receipts for the year 1884
for the State Fund was 1895, $50. This es-
innate was based upon levy OF 20 cents on
each 500 valuation. The assessment was
however made upon levy Of % cents on
SlOA valuation for the year 1883, the reVeT
nue. of which was paid into the Treasury
durinv the year 1884, so that there was
large increase on that account. In add
ion 10 this il was necessary to borrow 49,
600. II we deduct the amount Of the ban,
$4,000, the actual receipts for the State
Fund for that year from the sources or rev.
enue were $3.50, 679.25.
Temporary Loans.
Dur;ng the two years 1888 and 1884
Temporary loans were made Of various timAs
agUreeaifng $266, 900 and during the same>
period payments were made IRON the Treas
ury upon such loans OF S2S4,240 vi, max
ing decrease inthe amount which was due
the banks at the end Of the year 1892 OF
s.24O OIL Since the end OF the last rs
cal wear other payments have been made to
banks amounting to 1891 90 out OF the
funds raised upon the levy T. 1855, and no
further temporary loans have been made
Estimated Receipts.
The estimated probable receipts for the
fiscal year ending September so, 1885, are,
2 State fund. SIi7 $50; estimated charges,
$II2 s35. SO; receipt for general school fund,
S286. 500; estimated receipts for school
iu3d, ST. 500.
Assessment and Collection of Taxes.
There has been a marked increase in the
valuation Of personal property since the de-
cision Of the Supreme Court IN the Chesa-
peake and Ohio Railway case and the issu-
ing of the order familiarity known as the
"Supplemental Assessment Order, By which
certain classes OF property heretofore de-
elared to be exempt were required to be
listed. Although in some localities there
was at first considerable opposition 70 the
execution Of the order. and q number OF the
assessors refused 10 make the assessment Ia
accordance with the instructions from this
Office. there now seems 10 be no substantial
opposition TO II, aud it appears that no ditR
Guilty viii arise in relation to the assessment
of these classes Of property
There has been considerable complaint
from the sherifs in regard to their collee-
lions, and The reports during the past year
from all parts Of the State have indicated
that the sherifs have been compelled 20 in
dulQe 3 great many taxpayers. The sher-
IDS however, with very few exceptions,
have been quite prompt in their settlements.
The Irreducibls school Fund.
The experience of the several years past
has demonstrated the wisdom of the sugges-
ton made BY my predecessor Hon. Z. A.
Beunett) that the IredGeible School Fund
should Be abolished. This fund is one Of
The most fruitful causes Of trouble to our
financial system, and bYreason OF its beng
supported mainly from taxes that have been
levied for the purpose Of paying current
expenses but diverted rom that
purpose on account Of the delinquency Of
taxpayers. il operates to the great disAd-
ventaze Of the mass Of taxpayers Who pay
Their taxes promptly. The policy whleA TO