Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-01-10

the power of the Legislature 10 create debt be-
yond fixed limit. The Constitution of 1919
nxed the limit at 900, yet under this debt
OF s., 100000 at one time existed, but inasmuch
as the Legislature provided for the payment in
process OF time, and made annual appropria-
tions to meet the same the Supreme Court de-
OF the constitutional inhibition. An amend
ment to the Constitution, adopted in 1871 was
intended to change this ruling, but the amend
ment was not incorporated into the new Consti-
tuition, and hence the law still remains as de-
clared by the Supreme Court in the decision al
ready referred to.
The funded Indebtedness of the counties of
the State amounts to ,9, ,266 So which will prob
ably be increased. The indebtedness of counties
is very injurious 10 the welfare of the people
and an amendment to the Constitution, to limit
the power OF counties TO contract indebt dneSs,
or OF the State TO empower counties TO do So
is recommended.
THE STATE FINANCES.
The total funded Indebtedness of the State is
81, ,I03, 500, of which sum 5000 consists of the
State bonds of 1857 and $500 of State tonds of 1850
upon which interest has ceased. The total
In crest bearing funded indebtedness of the
state is 81 69S,00O, which consists of the State
funded debt bonds of 1873, and are held as fol-
lows:
Bonds held in private hands....S33 1884 600
Bonds held in trust for the State school
Iunu $40 500
Bends held i'll trust for the University
Sl1, 800
Total. sos, 900
OF this amount $50 600 has been called in and
the interest thereon has ceased, thus leaving an
outstanding indebtedness of this class of 81 63S-
ooO These bonds mature on July l, 1898, and at
that time must either be paid or refunded
The Act OF the Legislature providing for the is.
Suauce OF these bonds created a fund IN he
known as the interest and sinking fund.- but
owing to successive Legislatures failing to make
the necessary provisions for this purpose in the
tax levies, these bonds cannot now be redeemed
unless some provision be made, and in conse-
quence of the near approach of the date of ma
turlty OF this Indebtedness, prompt action in the
matter is recommended.
The total receipts OF the State for the thirty
sixth and thlrty-seventh fiscal years, was So
S39,4 ,465 80. The expenditures during these wears
amounted to Sl1, 3,603 sc. This shows, practi-
cally, the creation of an Indebtedness of S37I :
l37 81, for the payment of which moneys col
lected tor succeeding fiscal years were diverted
from their proper channel.
The total receipts of the State for the thirty
eighth and thirty-ninth fiscal years were Sl2-
4so, 2iy 70; The expenditures during these years
was Sd s39, AS "a Thus the amount of receipts
exceeded the amount expended by S65S, SOL 49,
Ihls excess Is nominal only, for the general
fund IN the State Treasury became exhausted
August %. 1888, and since then no warrant drawn
on that fund has been payable. This state of
ftairsshould be remedied at once md the money
raised tor any certain fiscal year should be used
in the payment of the expenses of the State
government for that year.
de condemns the custom of legislative appro-
prlatlons without the means in sight to meet
Them; also. the making of the tax levy less
than the demands, by which the State has to
place her credit, and thus pays more than if she
bought for cash. The expenditures for the
thirty-ninth fiscal year, while in excess OF ST.
OOO,0OO, he believes to be no more than equal to
the growth of the State. Nearly half million
OF 1t was for purchase of bonds for the school
iund and for redemption of the State funded
The Governor advises the erection of an in
dependent State Board of Examiners, as the ex
onclO members cannot give the needed time
IRON their official duties. The new Board
should have power to institute new rsystem OF
bookkeeping in all departments OF the state
he conoemns the practice of creating offices
and duties and making insufficient appropria
tlons for their discharge. Economy is advised
but In growing State retrench 10 5nt is seldom
# ever necessary. and the cry for it is oftenest
demagogy. The cutting Off of useless public
oihelals l. strongly advised, some OF which have
outliFed their usefulness.
EDUCATIONAL
The State University and higher education
are highly recommended, and the direct tax for
the State University support is indorsed The
University has been the recipient OF large
Denei actions. The land on which the Lick
Observatory stands should be convened to the
Regents in trust. The publication of State
school textbooks is no longer experimental but
pronounced success, and a gIeas drain upon
the people has been stopped. For this work the
following have been the expenditures Appro-
priation OF 1855, $4,000. Cost of plant S57. =.
9l1 ~ directed to be used for compilation, So
600: for printing. $50 00O0-which includes cost
OF plant as given above. Appropriation of 1887,
for further compilation and publication, $50,
O0O-sl5,O 900 OF which was for compilation. Of
the compilation fiind-S35, ,000--to July l. 1888
s1.440 ~ had been expended. Balance
sl7,oS9 5S. For printing and distribution
expended, S2i22l3 81. Balance on hand.
81 Io6 l6. to be expended for remaining text
books OF series. OF readers arithmetic, speller,
grammar and history, 100000 printed sold
40, 100. Received from these sales, 1852. .O92 81
Cost OF compilation and plates. beirg distrib-
uted over eight years, the State will receive
back the entire cost, and in twelve years the
cost of the plant.
Many educators advise as the next step the
furnishing OF books free. The Normal Schools
are in a fiourishing condition, and the demand
ior trained teachers is rapidly increasing.
STATE PRISONS
The appropriations fol Sl60 900 additional jute
machinery and $4,000 for enlargement of the
jute mill at san Quentin were not applied, the
simpler business plan OF working eight-hour re-
lays of prisoners being adopted. The expert
ment was successful and the output doubled.
Needed improvements at San Quentin should be
carried out, the grounds and buildings not be-
ing slightly nor II state credit.
At Folsom, be advised the Directors TO meet
the Natoma Water Company, harmonic all
differences concerning the contract for land,
dam and canal. and TO proceed with the con
struction of this great work and the utilization
of the great water power. This was done,
the labor Of 800 prisoners utilized. and such
progress MADE tnat IL is believed this year will
complete the work, and power furnished long
needed in this part OF the State.
and justify the introduction of profitable
industries and convert the prison tract into
model farm, vineyard and orchard. Younger
prisoners could be trained in employment that
will be of use TO Them when released. and be-
sides trades, instructed in farming and garden
ing.
THIS prison should be supplemented by re-
forma'ory for juvenile offenders, and the separa
ton of tyros in crime from hardened criminals.
thnS.a l.a
they may become wage earners instead Of law
breakers, for labor is the corrective for mis-
ohievous tendencies.
In the exercise OF the hardening power he
has felt it almost too overpoweriug 10 sustain,
but he has endeayored 10 discharge il with
equal and exact justice. He has asked attor-
out of no disrespect for them, but TO save the
sorrowful and unfortunate from the sacrifice of
paying fees.
INSANE AsYLUss.
The growth of the State demands further ac-
commodations for the cure of the insane. 10
continue the present crowded condition of the
asylums would be almost criminal Two more
asylIms should be erected at onee-one in the
north part of the State and one in the SOUTH
As ii would take five years 10 complete them. it
is not too early to begin now.
The asylum at Stockton is pressed by lack of
means. There is absolutely need here for ex-
tenslve Improvements. many OF the structures
becoming unserviceabie. Specific urgent sani-
tary needs in this connection are pointed out in
detail, and especially the need of appropria-
tions TO give the insane useful employ yment and
daily occupation. For support of this asylum
$4,000 will be needed during the next two
years.
The asylum at Napa is also crowded Two
intirmaries are here much needed, and will cost
SIS 900. The asylum has suffered from finan-
cial deficiency. not chargeable to its admins
,raiion.
The Asylum for the Chronic Insane is now IN
use. An appropriation is needed to construct an
executive building and one section of the nosh
wing
There should be erected at San Quentin nm
asylum for the criminal insane. To confine
murderers and assassins in the wards of other
hospitals is neither just nor humane
DEAF AND DUMB-THE BLIND.
The Legislature is referred to the reports nj
Directors of these institutions, End Favorable