Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1897-01-21


amount of cash on hand at the beginning
of the present year. In 4Suring that
the state will be about 100000 in debt
Mt the close Of the present year, the audi
tor did not take into account the cost of
the special session or the probable APP
preparation necessary to repair the Glen
wood asylum. In q footnote to his re-
port he states that the expenses of the
special session will probably be about
100000 and that an equal amount will
probably be appropriated to the Glen
wood institution. This would add $780,
600 more to the deficit as shown above.
If these figures are borne out by the facts
the state of Iowa will be in debt about
100000 at the ond Of the present year.
OF course, the explanation Of this con-
dition is that che revenues of the state
are not large enough to meet the eX-
penses, and the state officials are dis
posed to place the responsibility for the
lack OF revenue upon the assessment OF
property for taxation. The only hope of
relief seems to be from q thorough re-
vision of the revenue laws, which will
undoubtedly be done at the special ses-
sion. Then, too, the last general as
sembly comes in for its share of the
blame by reason Of the heavy extraordi-
nary appropriations made by that body.
As will be seon by the auditors state
ment, the appropriations of the Twenty
sixth general assembly for extraordinary
purposes, which include the support of
the state institutions, amount to 81 ,0S9,-
245.25. These appropriations were made
in the face Of the fact that the auditors
report, which was asked for and speci-
ally made to the general assembly, stated
that $500 700 was limit above which it
was not safe to 60. Subsequent events
proved that even that figure was too
high. 1t is just possible that in this
connection people may be too ready to
blame the CO, amittees having charge Of
the appropriation bills for lavish appro-
priations. Tho fact Is, however, that
there seems to be at every session some
thing like reciprocity Of interests"
between the institutions, by which they
join in what might possibly be called n
combination to procure the largest pos
sible appropriation for each institution.
For this reason the friends Of one insti-
tuition in working for a large sppropria-
ton will agree with the friends of
another institution to give aid in re-
turn for aid received. BY reason of this
reciprocity" it is found when the ap-
preparation bills are passed that some
how they aggregate larger amount
than anyone really supposed before the
deed is done. And then, after all, many
of the institutions feel that they are not
as literally dealt with as their needs
would warrant.
Governors Message.
Governor brakes message, which was
delivered to both houses upon their con-
vening today, was brief and business
like document. After referring to the
fact that the code commission had pre-
pared q revision Of the existing laws,
which has been before the people for
more than year, the governor assumes
that the members have come together
prepared, with the aid Of mature DELHI
Grafton, to promptly expedite the bust
ness for which the session has been
called" He refers to the fact that Iowa
legislation in respect to railroads, insur-
ance. the dairying interests and oil in
spection have commended themselves to
the statesmen and publicists, not only of
our sister states but Of other lands, and
he expresses the hope that "the matters
you have in hand will show still stronger
development of legislation thus found to
commend ITSELF" The injuries done to
various state institutions by the elements
during the past year next come up for
consideration. They are as follows:
March 27-Roof of the school for the
deaf damaged by wind, necessitating re-
pairs to the extent of $397.03.
Aug. 11-Building at Anamosa peni-
Tertiary destroyed by fire, causing loss
estimated at $4,000. This building has
not been rebuilt and the legislature will
probably be called upon to make provis-
ions for it.
Aug. 21-The roof Of wing of the
main building Of the state normal school
was damaged by tornado, requiring
the expenditure of $54l.
Aug. 29-Lightning struck the main
building of the institution for feeble
minded children at Glenwood and the
building was destroyed. The loss was
estimated at $125,OOO. The executive
council authorized the expenditure of
$40, 900 as that sum was deemed neces-
sary for the maintenance of the institu-
ton. This action on the part of the
council the legislature is requested to
approve.
Insurance of State Property.
The 'providential contingent fund"
OF SlO,OOO De1u8 lnSuIuclenC Tor the de-
mands caused by these losses, the coun-
Gil acted in accordance with their judg-
ment and appropriated the amount from
the general revenue funds until the
legislature coald pass upon the matter.
The state long since ceased insuring it's
property, but in view of the experience
of the past year, the governor says: 81
submit that prudential considerationsre-
quire that the state should purchase in
surance for its property OF else that pro-
vision be made either for the establish
ment of an insurance fund OF for the
adoption of other adequate provision to
meet extraordinary emergencies"
Referring to the financial condition of
the state, the governor submits the 1e
port Of Auditor Mccarthy and makes
the following recommendation:
sin view Of this showing, 1 recon-
mend that all Of last sessions special
appropriations, any part of which is yet
undrawn, be reviewed by the general
assembly and wherever the same can be
done without injury, the expenditure be
deferred until the year 1893. And SINH