The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-27
STATE AUDITORS REPORT.
He Recommends maintenance of
Present Tax Levy.

The report of State Auditor Daily was
completed yesterday. lie alleges that all
the state institutions have lived within their
incomes except the Jacksonville Reforma-
tory and the penitentiary at Michigan City,
and in his opinion the appropriations for
both places are entirely inadequate. The
effect of the Null law has had a marked
effect I'm bringing the business of the State
to a more exact plane, and the system of
accounting by termination and original re-
ceipts. which must by law accompany the
vouchers has saved many dollars for the
State. The public debt has been reduced
81, 200 coo, making saving of $3S. 800 in in
terest. On account of the war expenses the
government is now auditing an account
presented by the State to the amount of
$l6l, 96LS1, which. when paid back to the
State, will be applied TO the redemption of
maturing bonds. stated in the journal d
short time ago.
The auditor recommends that the present
tax levy OF less than 80 cents on 500 be re-
tanned. and that legislation be enacted CIV
ing greater powers to assessors in the dis
coVery of personal property. During twenty
years land values have increased So, 1903, 74O,
Wnile Improvements have increased in value
$i0026.2lS Lot values have increased in the
aggregate 1,lC922S, while the Increase in
the value OF improvements on them has been
SSllS4,115. There was a decrease IN personal
property values from 1891 to 1897 of S11. 500 421.
In lStf corporate pfOpSfty-Such as railroads
and telegraph companies-was assessed at
S5i 200, 40. while in 1897 it was assessed at
Sl6i .2}s 100. or a percentage OF u.56 on the
whole taxable property of the State The
total taxable property last year was 81, 295,
1850, an Increase of 42lO45,S94 in twenty
years.
About 10 per cent of the taxes become de-
iinQuent. and the auditor recommends that
legislation be enacted looking 10 the closer
collection of these taxes.
The auditor recommended the following
measures for adoption by the Legislature:
That all county claims against the state
be referred tc the Court of Claims when
they cover period of more than six years;
that claims for the services of special
judges be made against the counties in
stead of the State and, as an illustration
of the need of this. ii Is shown that last
year the State paid SIS. 40 for special judges
fees. That all receipts of state revenues be
paid by the receiving authorities directly
TO the state treasurer. and by MIN disbursed
only according to specific statutes or regu-
lar appropriation acts. That legislation be
enacted that Will require every appropria-
ton OF pubic moneys 10 any private organi-
zation TO be specifically accounted for by
itemized vouchers and receipted bills to the
auditor of state That a sherfff's mileage
he Increased to 4 cents. That the fiscal
year for the insurance department end june
90 instead Of as at present. on Oct. III. The
collections in the insurance department 70
date have been $6S4. 81, an increase OF
SEQ 133.4S over the entire term or the former
auditor It Is estimated that II VIII require
81 So eco to meet the expenses or the state
IN 1900 while the following year xl,so2s $50
will be required.