Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1896-01-14

the sl,s70lT06S representing existinl
appropriations subjoct to draft on Novembe
10, 1895, the s.s43el 81 OF deficiencies author
lied by the emergency board, and s6,5li.23 o
outstanding warrants. 1t can thus be seer
that the appropriation asked for and demand
ed by present obligations are in excess of the
probable available resources, 81 3fi, 18d95 i
is apparent that there must be either q re-
duction In the amount OF appropriations asked
for, or there must be an increase OF the reve-
nue..
Such statement OF the financial condition
OF the state might suggest that the only proper
remedy is that OF increasing tine tax rate ant
thus providing additional revenue In a brie
address Imade in the city OF Springfield on the
list day Of June. 1895, to the committee on noti.
fication appointed by the GAINESVILLE conven-
tion to officially inform me OF the honor con.
ferred by that assemblagc OF the delegates Of
the republican party, l said: "Recos-
ni2ing the question OF taxation as one
of great Importance. and there having
been complaint that the burdens are un-
equally distributed, 1 will do all in my
power to correct whatever evils there may be
in our present system with a view of tighten
ing the burdens and securing economy in ex-
penditures to the fullest extent consistent
with proper support Of the charitable insti-
tutions Of the state and the proper conduct OF
Its affairs " That declaration | now desire to
reaffirm, and in connection with 1t express the
hope that some other method than that OF in
creasing the tax rate to cover the deficiency
may be found and that ir any event YOU will
not make appropriations in excess OF the rev.
enues Of the state
The temporary loan of :50o.000, provided for
by certificates OF Indebtedness. falls due on
July l. 1895 1t seems proper to suggest at
this time u plan of meeting the difficulty in
Cured by that obligation. The lcvy of three
tenths of one mill for sinking fund purposes
,il IN ho
mate of the auditor of state. TO this is to be
added 80, 200 TO be received from miscellaneous
sources. To meet the interest on the ire
ducible debt. which may more properly be
called trust fund the sinking fund commiSS ion
asked for s2so,O0o. an amount slightly in
excess Of the actual interest charge. The in
terest on the funded Gebt will amount to :53.-
7C0 The office and bond expenses of the ink
ing fund commission will be $1,000, and, If this
general assembly directs that the nteres I
shall be paid upon the debt of the board OF
agriculture. as was done BY tie last general
assembly, there will be nother item of s7. 100
The aggregate Of the liabilities of the sinking
fundswhen added to the f"j0,0O0 of the fund
ed debt falling due July lis sGi!,GS1s3. Ga the
18th day Of November, 1873, the sinking fund
had balance of S265. 1904, making the total
available resources S7S7,g9s 97.1
Tho aggregate OF the levy for sinking fund
purposes for the year 1896, and whatever bal
ances there may tie, will not be sufficient to
meet the obligations and 1t is therefore in
cumbcnt to refund the s2500l0 of the funded
debt falling due July /, 1896 to July /, 1901,
one year subsequent to the final maturity
date proposed for those bonds, says the new
governor. II this $500 of the funded
debt is thus carried forward and the
amount applied to the payment of the
temporary loan and the balance of the
temporary loan refunded to July /,
md Mt Inn No
600 OF the funded debt falling due
July 1, 1897, refunded to July /, 1902.
the entire payment of the tenn
porary loan would be provided for,
and, in case of emergency, the gov
ernor says we would be able to bor-
tional limit of ;75OOOO. and it would
seem best to make this disposition OF the
debt
The total funded debt now amounts to ST..
79l6G5, sum comparatively insignificant
when compared to the importance OF the state,
our progressiveness and our values. This
debt IS being discharged at tho rate OF S25O,00l
annually and there is every reason to hope
that the closing year of the century will show
Ohio practically without any DEMONSTRATING
obligations. There is satisfaction in such
prospect that should be u matter OF pride for
all
The subject Of state and county taxation is
now being discussed by nearly all classes.
Our commercial bodies. boards OF trade. finan-
ciers and citizens generally, are deyoting at
tention to it in the hope that such amendment
Of the Ohio tax system may be secured as will
tighten the burden and protect the interests
of the people. Various plans have been pro-
posed to remedy the conditions and to all such
as come before your honorable body, l trust
that you will give consideration and close
study one of the propositions which will
Doubtless he advanced is fhut of ipcnl DDtiOn
or home rule in taxation. which contcmplates
that counties shall provide their own system
OF taxation for the necessary revenues of the
county. This IDEA has been endorsed by many
authorities on taxation and / commend it to
you for special consideration.
In treating the subject OF taxation. the pur-
pose should be to effect result which will
ably as possible upon all the people Double
taxation should be avoided and all laws that
tend to drive business energy ana capital from
Ohio to enrich other states at our expense
should be repealed, our system OF taxation
should while producing sufficient revenue so
distribute and tighten the burden as to retain
and attract capital to be employed by our own
people Ohio should have as good tax system
as any state. l again commend to you the ne
cessity OF giving the tax problem your most
earnest consideration
have spoken OF economy in public expendi-
lures among the ways tnlS can ne secured Is
by the creation OF u purchasing board the duty
OF which should be to purchase all supplies for
all the state institutions. There might be q
board to be appointed by the governor, by and
with the consent Of the senate, to consist of
three members and n secretary, to meet not
oftener than once n month. and ut their meet
ings pass upon the acquisitions for supplies
from the state institutions and enter into con-
tracts with those who may choose to submit
bids based upon and in accordance with ad-
vertisesents inviting proposals for such sup
plies as may be needed The duty of the Sec
retury could be to keepGll the books, accounts
and records audit all bills and sign all vouch-
ers, which later would be submitted for the
approval OF the president OF the board. The
secretary would probably need assistants and
the board would have to authorize their en-
p!oyment
This plan Of purchasing supplies on the
basis OF advertisements inviting proposals for
certain material, goods and provisions. is used
by the Federal government with conspicuous
success in every way purchasing board for
the state Of Ohio would concentrate RESPONSE
biiitY and, by making purchases in large
quantities, would secure the lowest prices.
Its business operations could be made as plain
aud as easily understood as those of any busi-
ness concern The different institutions could
be supplied on the acquisitions of their ra-
spective stewards and every detail OF the pub
lie business could be made 10 show fur it.
self 1r
Under the present system the various insti-