The climax. [volume] (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1887-1897, 1890-01-01
THE MESSAGE.

Governor Buckner's message,
referring to the Auditors Report
says: The report of the Auditor
of Public Accounts gives a detail
ed statement of all the expendi-
lures of the State government dur
ing the last two years, and shows
its present financial condition.
The total receipts, including bal
ance at the beginning of the year,
for the fiscal year ending June 80,
1889, amounted to $4,393, 793. So.
The total expenditures during the
/ same period were $4,320,S6112,
leaving a balance in the treasury
June 80, 1889, $72,926.24.
The Auditor estimates that there
will be a surplus in the general ex-
penditure fund on June 80, 1890,
Of $171,S447S, and on June 80,
1891, of $532, STATS.
Further commenting the Gov
ernor says: The defalcation of the
late Treasurer of the State, report
ed to your predecessors, amounted
to $247,12S.5O. Proceedings by the
Acknowledgement, resulting in re-
alizing on the funds and property
of the defaulting Treasurer and
adjudications by the Special Com
mission constituted by the Legis-
lature, have resulted in reducing
this amount by the sum of $73,-
033.S8, leaving a balance yet due
of $I74,09462. The Commission
is still proceeding in the adjust
menL of the outstanding accounts,
and it is estimated that the in
debtedness will be still further re-
duced, leaving probably not more
than S150,000 to be collected from
the bondsmen of the Treasurer.
The suit against them is pending
in the Court of Appeals.
The Governor calls the atten-
ton of the Legislature to the rapid
increase in the cost of juries, and
ascribes it to "the want of atten-
ton on the part Of some of the
Circuit Judges and Common
wealths Attorneys TO the interests
of the public"
The great disparity between
different counties in the cost of
witnesses is noticed. In the
county of Anderson there was
paid to witnesses the sum of only
81 800; in the county of Bell,
81 ,48488; in the populous county
of Boone, only $31.36; in the
county of Breathitt, s2,314.SS; in
the county of Caldwell, only 5000;
in the county of Clay, $1,673.44;
in the county OF Kenton, includ-
ing the large city Of COvington,
$4,000, and in the county of
Knott, $1,2O5,44; in the county of
Campbell, including the city of
Newport, 1882, and in the
county of Knox, 3,664.5S. The
Governor attributes this outrage
to the lack of attention on the
part of the proper officers.
The only means Of putting an
end to such abuses seems to be
the enactment of a law fOrbidding
payment to witnesses and jurors
except for the time they are actu-
ally before the court, and giving
authority to the Auditor to reject
all unreasonable claims. Heavy
penalties should also attach to
officials who misstate the necessi-
ty of the attendance of witnesses,
or who cause them to be sum-
moned without probable neces-
sity.
The Governor complains of a
mass of unnecessary legislation,
and suggests a halt in that direc-
ton.
The Legislature is advised to
dissolve the counties of Harlan
and Perry, and distribute them to
other and more peaceful counties.
Change of law in the matter Of
fines is suggested so that they be |
paid directly into the Treasury.
Violation of chartered rights |
should be punished by forfeiture
of charter.
The Governor points out the
evils of trusts, and especially the
exclusive privilege" evil, and sug-
gests that remedies be devised.
Altogether the message is an
able one.