The record-union., 1893-05-18
Why FUNDS ARE SHORT.
A Democratic Legislature and Con-
troIIer Were Responsible.
Secretary of State Waite Defends the
Present Administration Against
Certain Charges.

Secretary of State Waite was called
upon by RECoRD-UNIoN reporter yes
terday in regard to the States financial
condition and the alleged likelihood of
its being unable to meet it's obligations.
Mr.. Waite said there was no cause for
alarm, and nothing whatever for the
partisan press to lbring against the pres
ent administration, as the embarrass-
ment, if any should occur, will be owing
mainly to the action of the former Con-
troller, Mr.. Dunn, in Understanding the
amounts required for the support of cer-
tain institutions, and to the operations of
the last Legislature.
This administration" said Mr.. Waite,
twas loaded with an unjust burden. The
last administration had levy of 20 cents
on the 500 to supply its funds, while the
present administration was restricted by
its platform to but 50 cents: and what
makes the showing look bad is that the
late Legislature did not made tax levy
up to the 50-cent limit.
The Legislature of 1891 fixed the rate
at A Clio cents. when If it had been 80
cents-the limit fixed by party platforms
there would have been more money in the
treasury at the beginning of the present
/
coming fiscal years, from July Ist, is
somewhere between As and AZ cents, or
still less than the 50-cent limit.
Beside" added Secretary Waite, "the
last administration projected great many
new institutions which were left for the
present administration to complete and
sustain. Restricted as this administra-
ton has been to two-thirds the revenue of
the one preceding it, it will be seen that it
has had heavy burden.
The present depleted condition of the
Treasury is owing TO the fact that the for
mer Controller, John L. Dunn, estimated
that the amount of money that would
be necessary 1or orphans, half-orphans,
abandoned children and aged and indi-
gent persons in the State at $3.50, 900 for
the two fiscal years ending July lst next.
1.-The cost has been a half million dollars
more than that, which this administra-
ton has had to pay, and it has been
obliged to pay arrearages for some pur-
poses since as far back as 1885, or ten
years.
Among the institutions projected by
the former administration were two Re-
form Schools, one at Whittier and one at
lone; two new Insane Asylums, in Mem
docino and San Bernardino-both expen-
sive ones-and besides, it has removed
The Home for FeebleMinded Children
| from Santa Clara to Gelston, Sonoma
County, at cost equivalent to the estab-
lishment OF new one, and all at the ex-
pense of this administration.
"This administration has paid out $780,
900 for the W hitter School. alone: S2l4
900 for the Home for Feeble Minded Chill
dren-not to mention other institutions
and $500, 600 for the Worlds Fair 1t
has also paid portion of the States debt
in outstanding bonds of S254, 900.
"Thus burdened, and owing to the new
law, the tax revenue comes in INSTALL
ments and after delay, so that the funds
are not at this time in the treasury that
were there in advance of this time here
tofore.
Again." said Mr.. Waite, "the last
Legislature made its tax levy, establish
ing the amount to be levied, before it
made its appropriations, and then passed
bills aggregating an expenditure of
nearly S2,000,000 in excess of the amount
levied by a fifty-cent limit.
The Governor has curtailed this
amount by S99S,00 in vetoing bills, but
this still leaves SS58, 900 in excess of what
will come into the treasury by the last
tax levy.
1.-The Democratic press should know
that this condition of things was mainly
brought about by Democratic Con-
troller and a Democratic Legislature. and
they cannot condemn the present admin
istration, which has been burdened heav-
lily by obligations which do not Justly be-
long to it.
However, | say again there is no cause
tor alarm. as this same state of affairs has
existed heretofore, and there will be no
deficiency at the end of this administra-
ton.
1T only rests with the next Legisla-
ture to make sufficient appropriations" :"