Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1896-08-20
MISSISSIPPI MATTERS.


why tn. Treasury Is Empty.
In view OF the fact that some surprise
has been expressed that the treasury ia
nov without funds. the correspondent
o, the Commercial Appeal called on the
State Treasurer last week TO ask him
about the matter. In reply to ques-
tion he slfd: "Ies. IL Is fact that tho
treasury is practically empty. 1 have
on hand something less than $50. and so
far as this department Is concerned.
there is no cause for any criticism"
What was the amount due the COM
mon school fund on the June distribu-
tion? What proportion Of the same
have you paid and what amount OF war
rants on this fand remain unpsid?''
THE amount due. As shown by the
auditors books. was sso5. being
one-third Of the total amouat OF the
| appropriation OF s3e3. 500. From this
| amount the poll taxes, amounting to
SD. les. -. are to be deducted. leaving a
net amount due o: s.ss. sos.ss. which
has to be paid by the treasurer. OF this
amount have paid Ss3s.eI0 This
leaves outstanding on this account
$50. i9s -"
Why we're these warrants not paids''
"Bccauss there have been no funds
on hand to pay them with"
What course have you pursued In
paying warrants"
Il have uniformly paid all warrants
in the order Of presentation This is
the only WAY Of managing the treasury
under my construction OF the law. In
this both the governor and attorney
has no prior claim over another and
am allowed no discretion in the matter.
Had the right to discriminate relative
to warrants it would be in favor of the
outstanding school warrants. but the
law. as stated, gives me no such discre-
tiOn, neither il there any way in which
the fund could have been provided, as
has been suggested ~ some
What amount did you receive f,om
the sale Of the bonds. including premi-
ums, and how was the same disbursei?''
Il received SIS. 81. Under the act
authorizing the sale of the bonds was
authorized to borrow sI50OO0, u pay
current expenses. Out Of the proceed.
of The sale of bonds was required q
refund this amount The sI5o.00e xas
borrowed and had been expended be
fore tho bonds were sold. From the
ssis,6es. -. received from tho bonds
this amount ~as refunded. Including
interest o, 81. Ssh y. making n total oi
si5i.633 3e. This only left of the bond
sales s26a0S5. -. Oat OF this amount
and receipts, which have been small.
have paid school warrants amounting
to ss5s.sI0. special warrants sis. .s65. and
the balance on regular warran.s
Are there other than school war
rants outstandlng2"
YES. there Is money due the institu
tions OF the State, salaried officers and
Others As previously stated no dis
elimination whatever has been made ID
the payment Of warrants
"How many OF the counties have
failed to receive their money on the
common school fund.-
Twelve. and when the warrants acre
presented tho funds had become ex
hausted- Il was their misfortune to b.
late in presenting their claims
when will you have money 10 pal
these warrants2'
1t is more than probable that all o
them can not be paid earlier than DE
cember. as the receipts will not amour
! ssa IN, that A. n
time the receipts from al valorem taxei
will begin 10 como in, which Is th'
principal source OF revenue. 1t is hoped
however, most OF the warrants can n
paid before that time"
why did the legislature fail to pro
vide su ff;cient reyenue?-
The sum of s40a.o was agreed OF
by the house ami senate committee as
compromise. The house had passed
bill providing for only s350. 000 in bonds
When the senate finance committee in
vestigatAd the matter IL came TO th,
conclusion tina. $500. O0O would be re
quireS 20 meet the dehci; then existin.
and that for the next two years Whei
the senate finance committee met it In
vited the auditor ard myself before il
We stated to it that less sum thai
sJ0o. coo would not be sufficient Th,
committee by unanimous vote ac
cepted our conclusions and agreed on
bill for that amount A conference
committee of the two houses was after
ward appointed and compromised o.
SiO0. 600 Had the $500. .OO9 been issue,
the State could have promptly net al
: its obligations"