The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-12-03
THE STATES REVENUE FUND.

4
In another column will be found an
interview with State Auditor Dunn, in
which he makes answer to the inquiry
propounded by the G o b e-when the
state treasurer's report showed the as
tonishing fact that the revenue fund
was overdrawn sonic $53, 000-what is
the matter with the revenue fund? The
investigation suggested by this condi-
ton showed, in the sharp contrast be-
tween the state of this fund on this
and prior similar dates, SO rapid de-
pletion that it seemed to warrant call
for an explanation. This the auditor
has furnished and, so far as his office
is concerned it amply accounts for the
depletion. Briefly, the whole list of
causes can be condensed into two, a de-
crease in the assessed valuation and in
the tax rate with an increase in ex-
penses.
Where is the responsibility for this
awkward condition of the treasury? 1t
rests with the legislature. We find that
the legislature of 1891, to meet a large
deficit and to provide for an in
sane hospital at Fergus Falls
and a binding Irvine plant at
Saltwater laid taxes for 1892
of 81 $50, 600, and for 1888 of 81, 295,000,
fixing the rate at % mills. The legisla-
ture of 1893 levied 81, 1O0,O 600 for each of
the years 1894 and 1895, making the
rate II mills. The legislature of 1895
diminished the levy to $96G,000 for each
of the years 1896 and 1897 and cut the
rate to 1.5 mills. The legislature of 1897
levied $780, 600 for 1898 and $3.50, 900 for
1899 on 15-mill rate. That is to say,
with the state institutions getting $780,
600 more than they did in 1891, the leg
islature of 1895 provided one-fourth less
money. While it increased the spend
ing it diminished the income.
But the session of 1895 made calcula-
tions for the ensuing two years on the
assessed valuation of that year. The
fetal list had been showing a small an
had no such excuse. The real estate
valuation had been made when it met,
and the whole property, list was SIT, OOO,-
600 less than in 1895. Knowing this and
knowing the steady increase" in ex-
penses, that body levied but $500
taxes on a 1.5-mill rate, 100000 less
than made in 1895, $3.50, 900 less than in
1893 and d third less than in 1891.
The state is now running on the first
year of this levy designed to carry it
until the end Of the fiscal year, July 81,
1888; 600 more is provided for the
next fiscal year. With the tax settle
ments all made, with eight months of
the fiscal year yet to come, we find the
revenue fund $4,000 behind. There can
be no increase of the rate during these
two fiscal years. In fact the amount
will be diminished through the decrease
in the assessed valuation of personal
property made this year. If the other
sources, railway and insurance taxes,
last year were not sufficient to prevent
the revenue fund from getting into this
awkward fix, we cannot share the hope
1uIIISSS u lIlS luuItOI IbdI IlltJ III
make the fund whole when they come
in. The situation is due to precisely the
same plan of government in the state
that prevails in Washington under the
same party; there is too much spending
and too little provision of income. That
is what is the matter with the revenue
fund.