Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1894-12-20

have been invested since June 3Oth, last
about $5O,OOO in these b0hds and S47 ,4O(
for the year ending June Both, 1894
Total amount invested from the per.
msnsnt school fund ip boDds, S445, ,OOO OC
When the new administration takes
hold in 1895, it will find that there il nc
opportunity for thieves TO steal or moths
to corrupt the permanent schoOl fund as
colleo ed up to date, for most OF 1t has
been securely and snugly invested in the
school district securities and 10 as safe
an investment az could be desired. The
interest is generally paid with prompt
ness and 10 spportioned to the schools OF
the state, paying salaries OF the teachers
and, by 80 much, ought to reduce the
school tax of the taxpayers; whether it
does it or not is q question.
It is stated that there will be less than
$4,000 in this school fund when the new
administration begins Jan. Sth next
The total amount OF bonds invested IN
by the state. to the present time, will be
over s445,6O0. This fund is the greatest
legacy and heritage that the state schools
have, and If honestly managed, even with
fair business judgment, will not only
increase immensely in the future, but
should lessen the school taxes wherever
the apportionment goes.
The greatest source of revenue fer this
permanent school fund ls the sale and
leasing of lands. None can be sold for
less than $40 an acre. Sales have been
made during the past year to consider
able extent; in fact, what Is believed to
be up to the limit of profitable offerings
of school lands under the present cir
cumstances. 1t is for the interest OF the
state, OF course, to get as much as pos
sIble for these lands, and it is under
stood that without some special legisla-
tion is had upon the subject none of the
unsold LANDS are likely to be upon the
market during the next two years. for
the reason that they are worth more than
they would likely bring.
The state tuition fund, which Is the
school tax paid by the counties, is quite
large for this state, in view OF the IN.
come derived from the permanent school
fund. There we're $l25,27O.I in the
hands of the state treasurer June Both
last, from this fund. Nearly all of this
has been apportioned to the various
school districts by the state superintend-
ent of public instruction. In addition
the superintendent of public instruction
| apportioned to the various school dis
tricts, up to June 30th last, about S134,
OOO, and a much larger amount since that
time. North Dakota schools are con.
stantly receiving the benefit from both
these funds.
The state treasurer says that North
Dakota has run behind in it's expenses
for institutions some what lees than has
been stated heretofore, owing to- the
slightly better payment OF taxes IN 1884
than 1899. There will be due to the
various public institutions OF the state
when Governor Allin takes hold and the
new legislature assemblies, about $l22,'
OOO This is In excess OF the revenues
for the past two years and was appropri
ated by the legislature for maintenance
of public institutions. There will be
nothing whatever in the general fund
There will be about $4,000 in the per
manent school fund, about $40, 900 IN the
state tuition fund, only about 5000 in
the school interest and income fund and
$1,000 in the bond interest fund. None
OF these funds can be- touched for any
other purpose than indicated. 1t Il
believed that the taxes will be paiC
| somewhat more prOnptly IrO" noW VI
as there we're more bidders at the last
tax sales than in 1888.
Treasurer Nom]snd turns his office
over to Treasurer-elect Nichols with
everything IN very good shape. Money
IS ali accounted for to the state. pro
tected in every way. II the new ad
ministration manages the affairs OF the
state as efficiently and economically the
people will have no cause to complain
The mistakes that have been made and
the extravaeances incurred do not lie al
the doors of the state officers OF this ad.
ministration. but are due to the greed OF
former legislators more than anything
else. It 10 hoped that the legislative re-
form in this matter can be had beginning
with this year. The taxpayers OF the
state are certainly entitled to it.