Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-02-21
THE NORTHWEST
State Finances.
A PROBABLE DEFICIT OF $780,
900 AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

The Auditor ofState Called on for
Special Report, Which Makes Bad
Showing for the Administration.
COLUMBUS, Feb. S.-When the Plain
Dealer recently stated that the finances
of State were in a deplorable con-
dition and charged that there had been
iugglery of funds. Gov. Foraker came
back with an interview ridiculing these
statements as absurd and as malicious
misrepresentations. urtherinvestiga-
ton has develOped not only that the
finances of the State are in deplora-
ble condition, but that the administra-
ton in its frantic efforts to prevent a
suspension of payment has violated the
constitution and statutes, and is liable
to impeachment for misapprOpriation
of funds. There is no doubt that the
Governor, Auditor of State and Treas
urer were parties to the transfer of
$3.50, 900 from the sinking fund to the
general revenue fund Neither is there
any doubt that the Treasurer has no
more authority to lend money from the
sinking to the general revenue fund Oh
certificates ofindebtedness than he has
to lend money to a private citizen.
Having created deficiency of $780,
900 in the sinking fund the Governor
proposes to reimburse that fund with a
special tax of | 4-10 mills provided
several years ago as temporary relief
and not intended for general use.
In order to ascertain the condition of
the States finances Mr.. Young intro
duced this morning resolution calling
upon the Auditor for statement in de-
tail. The report sent to the House in
compliance with this resolution, while
covering up portion of the jugglery
by giving the present condition with
out referring to the transfer of funds,
shows an alarming condition Of affairs.
The receipts in the general revenue
fund subject to draft are S102, 2,908.59.-
There remains to be collected on De-
cemher taxes $750,000. making total
of 1852, ,35O.S3. The liabilities against
this fund for unpaid appropriations are
S3S4,350.63. In the sinking fund there
Is in actual cash S7,93l IL; due this fund
from county treasures 1910, 900. -
Against this there are credits for inter
est due on irreducible debts S260,000
leaving q net surplus on the February
settlement of $4,000. The total
amount in the sinking fund July l.
after meeting liabilities, will be $24S, ,000
In the common school fund there is IN
actual cash S05, 431 .92 with no liabilities
Advance drafts on county treasurers
for taxes due Dec. 20, amount to $780,,
900; advance drafts on sinking fund fol
same $4,000. This is what the report
shows aside from the $3.50, 900 juggled
into the general revenue fund last July
The total amount of taxes due anC
money in the treasury is 1851 1908. 81
against this, which must pay the ex
penses of the State until July |, will b'
noticed is S3S4. .350.S3 in liabilities, leav
ing only $49S, ,55774 to pay the expense
of the State for five months. 1t will
unquestionably cost 81 100000 accord
ing to the estimates of the Auditor o
State, and thus leave a deficiency 0
about 81 300, 900, which will be met b,
drawing on counties to the extent o
over 81 100000, as was done last De
cember and by juggling money from
the sinking fund into the general reve
nue. fund. The last year of Governo
Hoadly's administration $500, 900 wa
anticipated. When the present ad
ministration came into power it boz
fowed $500,000 to wipe this out an
started almost even. After three year
of rule it finds it necessary to raid tn
sinking fund for $3.50. 900, borrow 81,
O25,000 from counties by advance draft
and then has the nerve to stand up an
say the present condition of the treas
ury is due to Democratic mismanagt
ment.
Mr.. Young will introduce anothe
resolution to secure an explanation {
the $3.50, 900 feat Of financiering.