Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1893-06-15
FIXING The RESPONSIBILITY.
Reckless Expenditures by the
Last Legislature-No Ac-
count Of Resources.
The Credit Of the State Excel
lent, Thanks to the
Constitution.
Bonds Bring Five Per Cent,
Premium-What State Aud
itor Porter Says.

A few days ago the Alert published
what was doubtless new to most people
OF the state, viz: that large de
ficiency in the state treasury is certain
to exist before the end OF next year; IN
fact that the treasurer had already dis
covered deficiency in the funds of the
state with which to meet current ex-
penses.
The publication of this information,
while not pleasant announcement, was
held to be advisable nevertheless, in or
der that the people Of all the state
might know the exact condition of the
finances as early as possible, SO that
time for reflection and consideration OF
remedies for the future can be given.
The disposition to criticise the present
state officers as responsible for the un-
desirable outlook Is the height Of foolish
nese. The blame lies wholly on the
legislature and largely on the organiza-
ton of the:same, in the make up Of the
COu04AUGoc1 ouA IA VAo u0oA5 duu Aouoe
consummated.
Further information and comment on
the situation are furnished by State
Auditor Porter, who says:
''The facts and figures reported in the
Alert in recent interview with N.Y.
self regarding deficiency IN the treas
ury of this state in the near future,
notice, have been given wide circulation
and have aroused not little criticism
by certain republican newspapers in the
state. The latter, notably the Grand
Forks Herald, says that if such is the
case it will be the fault Of the political
aggregation Of which am conspicu-
Gus member. The facts may as we'll be
stated, while the acts OF the late republl-
can legislature are fresh in the minds of
our people.
The regular expenditures Of the state
for the years 1884 for which there are
standing appropriations fixed or created
by former Legislatures based upon the
expenditures Of the past two years.
which include expenses Of last legisla-
ture, salaries of state officers, clerk hire
and Office expenses, supreme and dis
trict courts, transportation Of insane
and convicts, insurance, militia, printing,
etc.,-will amount in the aggregate, as
near as can be estimated, to $36S,500.
The total appropriations of the last
legislature, not including the 100000
for state elevator, or thoee to be pro-
vided for by issue of bonds are s574,-
038.64. This makes grand total Of
s942. .538.64 to be paid out Of the general
fund of the state treasury.
The total revenue OF the state for the
next two years, as near az We can eeti-
mate it, with taxes at the mill limit, is
but $757 ,O6O. 40 and this fact was we'll
known to every member Of the legisla-
ture, as both the senate and house were
furnished with detailed estimate from
this Office.
Assuming these figures to be correct-
and I challenge any person to show
wherein they are materially out of the
wav-there will be deficiency at the
end Of 1894 Of about $l85,00O, provided
the various institutions use all the
money voted them. II they do not do
this it will be the first instance on record
Of anything Of the sort.
The people Of the state should be &C.
qualnted with the actual figures 60 that
they may know where the responsibility
lies. 1t must rest with the legislature
and not with the state administration.
who did all in their power to limit sp-
propriations to the actual necessities, as
did also the minority parties in that
legislature
Fortunately the interest on bonds 10
paid from special fund, which the leg,s-
lsture cannot touch, hence that fund IL
not impaired; neither is the public school
fund; 60 that portion of state finances
IS all right.
The credit Of the state IL first.class, as
our constitution has thrown such safe
guards around our indebtedness, that it
can never be impaired unless the consti-
tuition 10 changed. The $4,000 four per
cent. refunding bonds offered last week
by Treasurer Nomland sold at q premium
of five per cent. There ie no trouble
about our credit. It is only the general
fund from which our running expenses
are paid"
Low Wheat Prices.