Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-03-13

The statement that there was a de-
felt in the treasury at the end of the
last fiscal year. growing Tin parO out
OF the fact that since the first day
of October last there has been $4,000
paid on criminal charges. The fact
is. that the committee cOufounds
deficit in the treasury with a deficit in
the appropriation for criminal charges
for that fiscal year. 1t is surprising
how little pains legislators take to
inform themselves of the duties they
have voluntarily assumed. For many
years back the Legislature has appro-
priated money TO pay the ordinary eX-
penses Of the State government for
the two fiscal years ending between
the regular sessions Of the Legisla-
ture. The Legislature Of 1898 made
such appropriations for the fiscal years
ending on the 30th of September re-
spectively in the years 1898 and 1894;
but they did more, as every Legisla-
ture does. knowing that the fund ap-
prOpriated for these two years are liza
BILE to be exhausted by the end of the
last two fiscal years, which comes sew
eral months before the next Legisla-
ture will meet, they also appropriated
out of the revenues OF the next sue
ceeding fiscal year TO the amount Of
one-half of the amount appropriated
for the last fiscal year, for certain
purposes named, to be drawn for the
period of six months. (These pur-
noses will be seen further on Now,
in the same appropriation passed by
the Legislature of 1898 for the years
1898 and 1894 there was appropriated
out of the revenues of 1895 $40 goo for
criminal charges, which amount, l
learn from the Auditor, was called for
and paid by the 9th of November,
1894. the appropriation for that pur-
nose being again exhausted and if
Chairman ReynOldss estimate that
$50 900 was due on criminal charges
on the 30th of September, 1894, is true,
and l have no reason to doubt 1t, there
is still due on last years criminal
charges $50. 600. What motive prompt
ed this committee to make such thor
ough investigation to find deficit in
the appropriations for criminal
charges if il was not for the purpose
of providing for it in their apprOpria-
ton bill then being formulated by
them. which it was clearly their duty
10 do? Did they believe there was a
deficit in the treasury? No; if they
had so believed. they would not have
voted to reduce the State taxes largely
as they did: they would not have es-
tablished two or three new schools,
calling for
LARGE APPROPRIATIONS
from the State treasury, as they did.
But. on the contrary, they would have
increased the rate of taxation under
Article Y. Section D. of the COnstitd-
ton. sufficient enough to make up the
deficiency in the State revenues. The
item in the above table called a def
cheney on militia is clearly not def
cheney belonging TO the fiscal year
ending 30th of September, 1894; that
debt was not in existence till 1891
long after the Legislature of 1893 had
passed the bill appropriating money
for the year of 1894. 1t could, there
fore. not have been anticipated and
provided for in the appropriation for
that year. Suppose such calamity as
the loss of one of our great pubic
buildings by fire should happen IN
this year. would the money necessary
TO rebuild it be charged up against the
Republican administration as deficit
in the treasury for 1895. because they
did not anticipate it and provide for
il? I think not.
An important question in relation to
l the appropriations by the Legislature
I remains 10 be considered. What is
the extent. and the legal effect of the
appropriations of each Legislatures
THE first appropriates for two fiscal
YEARS. item by item. going through the
lwh0le list of charges against the State
las far IS known. for two fiscal years.
Ithe last of which ends on the Both of
Eeptember next preceding the next
Heetiug of the Legislature. In fear
that the various departments and in
ltitutions of the State may need more
houey Ter their support than is apprO-
H,riated in the bill item by item. they.
lhen. pass "a general provision IL the
Jame bill. that i'm addition to the sums
alppropriated for the two fiscal years.
the Auditor may, after the expiration