The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-04-24

amount OF these extraordinary expenses for
the last fiscal year, but will itemize them:
Additional hospitals Sl44 726 OF
Soldiers orphans home 6947O s3
Feeble minded furnishingl l............-- S,2SS IL
425 OF
And in addition, for soldiers monument,
$7,96S.64
1t can easily be shown that for years the
twelve-cent levy, together with the other or
dinary yearly receipts of the general fund, have
more than paid all the ordinary expenses of the
state government and the interest The fact is
that the general fund. with only twelve-cent
levy, has contributed largely to the building of
the state-house and to the additional hospitals
for the insane, and at the same time apprOpria-
tons were paid out of il for necessary improve
ments for the other institutions.
ANY one with thimblefull of brains can
take the auditors reports for years past and
see that the twelve-cent levy has been amply
sufficient for all purposes, except extraOrdin-
airy expenditures Then, when these extraor-
binary expenses were authorized, why was not
the tax levy increased and who is TO blame?
will be the natural inquiry.
The trouble commenced when the legislature
authorized the building of three new insane
hospitals, in March, lSSS Gov Porter al
lowed the bill to become a law with out his sig
nature. 1t appropriated S600,000, and pro-
vided for a nOn-partisan board. with the gov
ernor as president, he to appoint the board. l
have always maintained that the siX-hundred-
thousand dollar appropriation was a limitation
on the power of the board and plans should
have been adopted TO correspond with il. But
Gov. Porter and his board adopted plans re-
quiring the expenditure OF S1,500,O00 to COM
plef6 them. Members OF all parties advocated
and voted for the law. Gov. Porter knew that
no additional tax levy had been made to pro-
vide for the payment OF even 100000, much
less for 81, 100000. Yet he went on with this
extraordinary expenditure and our financial
in he Of rfa and bo
is mainly responsible for them. 1t is true that
this extraordinary expense was partly provided
for by a loan but much of il has been paid out
of the usual revenue of the state, and to COM
plete them, part of the last proposed loan was
TO be applied.
The next legislature of 1885 was compelled
to make large appropriations for the insane
hospital, In consequence OF the tire, and this
added additional burdens on the treastry.
The legislature of 1887, of unsavOry memory,
was swift to pass large appropriations and
made no effort to increase the tax levy to pay
them. The house OF representatives, where all
revenue bills must originate, was republican,
and if the ways and means committee even re-
ported bill to increase the levy, 1t took good
care not TO pass the bill through the house.
The legislature made the following extraordin-
airy appropriation:
Soldiers $500 900
Soldiers orphans l170OO
Feeble minded $1,000
$4,000
II will thus be seen that democrats and re-
publicans, when they controlled the house,
failed to Increase the tax levy, and one Tepub-
lican governOr-Porter-plan for expendi-
lures far beyond the intent of the legislature,
and each legislature since has added largely to
the extraordinary appropriations. The fact is
that both political parties are in the same boat,
ana either ignorance or wilful lying must ac-
count for the kettle calling the pot black. The
only ground for controversy is as to which
party is the most responsible for the present
financial condition of the state. AS democrat,
/ have, and still maintain, that Gov. Porter
pulled down the dam. But can see no good
in agitating the matter now. 1t is prudent that
all lips should remain closed, except to main
tain the credit and honor of the state but if
the republican papers think they can afford 10
continue the discussion as to responsibility,
certainly the democratic papers will also be
warranted in doing so. Very few, If any, OF
the extraordinary appropriations for six years
past could have been passed without repub-
lican votes, and, as a matter of fact, thu repub-
lican members all voted for them. This was
especially true at the last session, as most of
the large appropriations passed by almost
unanimous vote OF the members IN both
branches.
Isthe Loan COnstitutionaIg
have given short history of the financial
history for six years. Grant that the legisla-
lures may not have done their duty in increas-
passed large extraordinary appropriations. |
think have shown that the twelve-eent tax levy
was sufficient, with other usual receipts, to pay
the ordinary expenses and the interest. The
extraordinary appropriations had to be met by
an increased levy or loan. The legislature
preferred the latter, especially the states
credit was so good as TO secure loans at less
than per cent. There was not money enough
in the treasury to pay ordinary expenses, in
terest and obligations which had already been
IL -1-s..- A
in the tax levy would not be available until the
Nav settlements in 1890. The legislature was
confronted with casual deficit already exist
ing and for which they were in no manner re-
spOnsible. 1t was their solemn duty to provide
for this deficit, so that the credit and good
faith of the state could be maintained, and this
should be done Immediately. A loan was
authorized as the only means of prompt relief.
The deficit existed and the legislature was the
so Judge of this tGot. Ii the learned attorney
general has not taken this view of the situa-
ton, hereby give him authority to use these
suggestions.
1t may be that larger loan was authorized
than is necessary TO pay obligations already In
Cured by former legislatures. But there was
an immediate necessity for making some of the
appropriations by the last legislature which
could not be foreseen. The normal school at
Terre Haute burned down last year. Must il
remain i'm ruins and closed until an additional
tax can be collected to rebuild it7 The promo
sition is absurd This appropriation
makes a casual deficit. The consti-
tuition pardon the reference) makes il
the duty of the legislature to provide
for the insane, the deaf and dumb and the
blind. Would it been wise and would the
legislature have done its duty If it had not
provided for the immediate completion of the
new hospital, and not allow them to continue
TO suffer great injury by the failure to complete
and take care of them? No business man
would 90 conduct his affairs If he had the
ability to borrow money.