The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-28
THE STATE-HOUsE FUND.
Additional Facts About the Difference Be-
tween the Auditor and Commissioners.

There is great difference of opinion between
Auditor of State Rice and the State house Com
missioners as to the amount of the funds now
in the Treasury appropriated for the building of
the State-house. Phe Commissioners claim
about $500, 900 more than the Auditor credits to
the fund The Legislature of 1888 voted $500, 600
to be transferred from the general to the State
house fund. Of this amount AuditorlRiee trans
ferred only 100000 to the State house fund, and
afterwards took away $500, 900 from it, and adj
ding the same to the general fund, making in all
difference of about $780, 0O0 The State house
Commissioners claim this $500, 900, and say they
will go ahead building just as if they
had the money, the by law belongs to
them. The Commissioners expect to spend
$400 900 this season in building, and if they have
not some of the money they will have to sus-
pend. The Legislature has not yet made its
usual two years levy the State house fund, and
unless 1t does it the revenues will be curtailed.
Treasurer Cooper denies all responsibility for
the reduction of the State-house fund by the
amount of more than $500, 900, saying that he
has nothing to 60 with the accounts, but that the
Auditor transferred this amount to the general
fund, out of which the new insane asylums will
be erected. The Treasurer makes the following
statement of the condition of the State house
fund:
Balance. January 31..---.--.......-...-.$1 24,87
Slnce added --..------ ZO,OVO
Resources from May settlements. 10000
Total available money. 1924 90
The Commissioners will have the disposal of
this amount for building this season The differ
ence of opinion between Auditor Rice and the
State house Commissioners, regarding the act of
the Legislature appropriating additional money
besides the sum raised by special tax for the
building of the State house. seems to be irrecon-
cable. The Commissioners believe that
the unconditional appropriations made by
the State are their own, but Auditor Rice
claims that all the special appropriations for the
State-house fund suppose an actual need for
the money. If the special two cent levy does not
raise enough to meet the expenses incurred in
building the new State-house, then the special
appropriations are to be used, otherwise they
may, be transferred to the general
fund in the treasury. There would
be an excess of $780, 600 to the credit of State
house fund if all the appropriations made were
its own, otherwise it would have q little more
than 5000, 900.
If Mr.. Rices view of the matter prevails, the
General Assembly must make additional large
appropriation to the State house fund, as the
estimate of the architect is that fully 100000
will be needed to complete the work anticipated
during the years of 1885 and 1886.
Either the Auditor the Board of Commits
sioners is radically wrong in the Interpretation
of the law. If the Commissioners are correct
there should be nearly $500 600 in the Treasury
to their credit. If Mr.. Rice is correct. they have
only about $1,000 600. This is large discrepancy,
In the meantime the money has been collected
money has been spent for the work done on the
insane hospitals.
The fact remains that the State-house must be
completed, and the taxpayers must pay for it.