The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-03-14
GOV. M'GRAW'S TASK.
Cutting Down Appropriations
to Prevent q Deficit.
GOOD FlNANclERlNc REQUIRED.
The Tax Levy for 1899 Too Low to
Bring the Revenues Up to
the Expenditures.

OLYxPrA,- March 1a-[Special. ]-Gov.
McGraw has given close attention today
and this evening to the general appropria-
ton bill. The difficult problem confronts
him of reducing the total of the appropria-
tons that the expenditures Of the state
during the coming fiscal term may not be
far in excess of its revenues. He is going
over the bill carefully, and may not be
able to pass on it finally for several days.
Provision has been made for reimburs-
ing the general fund for nearly $500. 900 of
the amount appropriated in the general
and other appropriation bills out of funds
arising from sales of public lands granted
by congress in aid of state institutions,
but this amount. though in the form
of . loan, may never be repaid, as
the lands will not soon be sold
and subsequent legislatures may repeal
the provisions of the statutes requ iring re-
endorsement. The loan for the construc-
ton Of the state university is most likely
to prove an exception to this proposition.
as the present site will be sold before the
granted lands are. and the money appro-
priated will doubtless be returned to the
treasury at an early date. But whether
any of the $500, 600 in question is ever to be
covered back in full into the treasury or
not, so much of it as survives the execu-
tive veto will be q drain on the treasury in
the immediate future, and to the extent
that it swells the expenditures in excess of
the possible receipts will create deficit.
On the basis of 2]z mill levy each year
during the coming fiscal year it is esti-
mated that 81. zoe, 900 will be produced to
meet the outlay for that period. 1t is
probable that when ali the taxes tor 1892
are collected there will be a surplus in the
treasury to the credit Of the present fiscal
term. The extention of time for the pay
ment of taxes OF 1892 has caused an in.
crease in the amount of outstanding war
rants, and will result in . deficit at the
end of this fiscal term, March 81, 1888, but
when the deferred taxes are collected it is
believed that there will be a surplus as
stated to the credit Of the term now end
ing. 1t is impossible to accurately esti-
mate its size, but it is believed
that it will not fail below $780,
go. This sum, added to the estimated
receipts on the basis of 21< mill levy,
would make $1.s0O.0OO. 2H mill levy,
however, is low one. especially for new
state, and in 1890 the board of equalization
Vi tuA0 SIdVC AOuuA ~ nCCCSS0Ay W IA VAAO
levy for that year at mills. 1t is prob
able that it will be necessary to make 3
mill levies in 1898 and 1894. in which case
the resources of the state during the term
ending March 81, 1895. will yield some
thing over 81, 100000, and thus. if the
general appropriation total is reduced by
the veto of some of the less important
items, the deficit when the next legislature
meets. need not be alarming. especially if
no change is then made in the provisions
of law requiring the general fund to be re-
imbursed for amounts expended on land
grant institutions.
So engrossed has the governor been in
the consideration of the appropriation bill
that he has not had time to take up the
other bills in his hands, and therefore
none have been approved today. Some
solicitude is felt in this city because the
capitol building bill has not been signed,
but it is stated by those who were conspic-
uous in pushing the bill through, that tho
delay is simply due to desire on the part
of the governor to satisfy himself that the
title to the site is wit 1Out flaw. and they
therefore are not apprehensive that the
measure will be vetoed.