The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-12-17
THE COMPTRO[[tR'S REPORT
ADVANCE SHEETS OF HIS FORTH
COMING REPORT TO THE
GOVERNOR.
IS 4 VERY INTERESTING DOCUMENT
He Shows the State 70 BE in Good Fl
nancial Condition and Advances Sug-
z gestions as 10 Wise Lesisls-
ton Needed,

The following advance copies Of Comp
troller Finley's forthcoming report was
furnished the press yesterday:
His Excellency, g. A. CulhersNn, Gov.
ernor of Texas;
SRI have the honor to submit, 10 YOU
the annual report of this department for
the fiscal year ending August 81, lS&
While this report is confined 10 the MS
cal operations of the state government
for the past year, | deem il appTopriate
to give a brief analysis Of the general
revenue account for the past two years,
GENERAL REVENUE.
On the 31st of August, 1894, there was
a balance in the state treasury 10 the
credit of this account
DaldnCe. .'...... SNNSfS ~
Receipts during year end
ing August 81. 1875. -. a,0SS,5'S ~
Total receipts, including bal s., l2a,0:,a %
Disbursed during same Pc
riod of time and transfers
adjusting accounts. E. H-0n6,S49 81
Bal. on hand Aug. 81, 1895 S2S072 IL
The records Of this office show that 81
the beginning Of the fiscal year. Sep1em-
Der j, 1894, warrants against this fund
outstanding and unpaid amounted to
Amount outstanding . e. S452,SlS 09
Warrants drawn during
year ending Aug. 81, '95. 2,S2a,4I4 ST
Total. ... ..... ...&7Sl,727 Is
Paid by state treasurer
during year ending Aug
ust 81, 1895. -. 2.Gol 600 ut
Leaving warrants out
standing August 81. as. S1S0.l2I 09
The increase in the rate OF al valoreu
tax fixed by the Twenty-fourth legisla-
ture could not affect the receipts st the
state treasury during the fiscal year end
ing August 81, 1895, as said tax rate AT-
Piled TO the 1895 assessment; hence no
material gain in revenue receipts WAS ex-
pected until the collection Of 1895 taxes
should begin TO reach the state treasury.
In my last annual report 10 your ex-
cellency l said: Using the receipts Of
last year covering the same months as 4
basis, with the increased tax rates CON
sidered, appropriations uneIpended and in
force, it is believed that all warrants
drawn against this fund Will he cashpd
at the state treasury between the LIST of
February and March, 1885,
AS above predicted. the state treasury
resumed cash payment On the 9th day
of February last and has maintained
a cash basis without Interruption ever
since.
At the beginning Of the fiscal year. Sep
TENDER ], 1895, there WAS q cash balance
in the state treasury 10 the credit Of gen
eral revenue amounting to
Receipts from all sources
year ending August 81,
1880. 1,U-b. ID ~
Total. ..... $50. .S3.05l. 79s to
Disbursements and trans
fers adjusting accounts. 2,ei2,045 IL
Bal. 10 credit Of general
revenue Aug. 81. 1916. Sl09. 1jS -
AS above shown. 81. Ss4. 7o0.03 was dis
bursed By the state treasurer ont Of gen
eral revenue during the year ending
August 81. 1896. while warrants drawn
against this fund during the year
amounted only 10 81. 194, 216.SS, these lat
ter figures representing the exact amount
q current expenses or claims accrued
against the state and paid out Of general
revenue for the said year. The differ
eDce between the total disbursements and
the amount u warrants drawn represent
registered warrants which were outstand-
Ing and unpaid On the first day of Sep
tpDbar. 1885. amounting to ST60.121 90
The above figures show a balance in
the state treasury TO general revenue on
September ]. 1886. Of 500, 1852 At
tPDtiUn. however. is directed to the fact
that warrants which had been drawn
against this amount aggregating $780,
tiSI ~. had not at that time been pre-
scented for payment, and as this amount
is Z proper charge against the state treas
ury during the fiscal year ending August
81 1896. the same should be deducted
from the balance shown to be on hand at
the close Of the fiscal year, which would
make the true balance S401155S.
Comparing the expenses of the state
government for the two years ending
August 81, 1896. with the previous two
years, the records show that the amount
drawn against state revenue for the two
years ending August 81, 1894. amounted
TO Sj.O46, 151.51, against 81 ,523, 631 A for
the two years ending August 81, 1896;
decrease in favor of the past tsyo years
Of $685., 520.07.
There has been marked degree of
economy exercised in every department
OF the state government, as demonstrated
By the fact that under general reduc-
ton every department has lived within
its appropriation; and the legislature will
not be called upon to make any deficiency
appropriations except a small deficiency
for attached witnesses and for fees of
sheriffs. clerks and attorneys.
1t is believed that the present ad va
loren tax rate Of 20 cents on the 500
will raise sufficient revenue to meet the
expense Of the state government for the
next Two years. unless there should he
material increase in the next general
appropriation bill.
AVAILABLE SCHOOL FUND.
The receipts and disbursements of the
available school fund for the year ending
August 81, 1886, are as follows:
Balance On hand August
81, 1880 -. -. E. :. S133.i79 3S
Receipts during the year. 2,S43. 1873 sc
Total. ..... ..... .$2,97G,913 "A
Disbursements, transfers
and amount refunded. 2,903 $50 50
Bal on hand Aug. 81, '9G. $4,000 81
On the first day of September, 1895.
there was unpaid $5i7,690.52 of the
school fund appOrtioned Tor the scholastic
year of 1S94-05.
The board of education apportioned
S2.519,271.50 for the scholastic year of
1886.
said in my last report to your excel.