The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1898-01-05
GOVERNORS MESSAGE
Mr.. Bushnell's Recommendations
to the Legislature.
He Tells of the Various Needs of the State
Institutions and Shows How They May
in Several Instances be Improved
The Canals and Militia are
Given Special Attention
States Finances
In Good Con-
dltion.
ien.lemen Of the General. Assembly:


Gentlemen OF the General Assembly:
In accordance with the duty prescribed by
the constitution OF Ohio 1t devolves upon me
as chief executive TO submit fol. your consider
alton q statement of the financial affairs and
the various operations Of the state government,
together with such recommendations concern
ing our past, present and future interests as
may be justified by the condi ons and war
ranted by the promises Of time to come Be-
fore proceeding with the dellneation and dis
cussion OF these matters II seems proper that
the legislative branch OF the government and
the whole people for whom the legislators, as
well as the executive and judicial officers, act
should be congratulated upon the very satis-
factory results accruing from the good and just
laws, executed with honesty and fidelity, and
accepted and sustained by loyal and patriotic
citizenship In the closing years Of her first
century OF history Ohio appears before the
world rs commonwealth immeasurably rich
\ IN az tnat constitutes material wealth, re1oic-
ing in her credit which stands second to none,
and distinguished by conditions which are to
the glory OF her name and the praise Of her
people Peace has reigned and the fullest
measure Of prosperity possible under existing
circumstances has abided with us. Proud rec
ords Of good endeavor, OF charity and benevo-
lence and OF progresslveness have been main
tanned.
The Seventy-third general assembly which
will enact laws and provide ways and means
for the continuance OF this success OF our state,
should do the utmost to establish new prece-
dent OF meritorious service for the benefit of
the law-making body which will follow In the
dawn OF another century,
STATE FINANCES.
Owing to wise legislation and honest and eco
nomical administration OF the trusts commit
ted to the charge Of the officers in all depart
ments the financial statement OF Ohio at the
close of the fiscal year of 1897 was the best
noted for q long time. The wisdom OF the Sew
enty-second general assembly, as expressed by
appropriations which fitted the desirable me-
dium between economy and adequate support,
for the obligations incurred by the proper con-
duct OF the business OF the state. and by new
revenue raising laws, has brought the fruit
long striven fora condition of financial affairs
which enables efficient and commensurate gov
ernment, advanced in oil ways, without being
confronted by deficit. Two years ego atten-
tion was called to the fact that In the ~ years
--lBA to l895-there had been q deficiency of
Y receipts as compared with expenditures OF
81 053, 2i302. and that in only one year $780, had
there been an excess. that being due to por-
tion Of the direct tax, refunded by the general
government, being diverted to the states gen.
eral revenue fund Had it not been for that
the total deficit for the period mentioned
z would have been increased about 2SO,0O0. This
+ constantly increasing deficit was being pro-
vided for by making advanced drafts upon the
county treasurers, and finally the s. ate was
forced to adopt the expedient of making tenn
porary loans. The provision made by the
Seventy second general assembly for increased
experiment, but the realization proved an un-
qualified success. In 1895 there was not sin
.gle instance Of advanced drafts upon the
sps suson St sws ESay Hneey e eS
paid when due, and o satisfactory
balance remained for contingencies. The same
result was attained In 1897 and at the close
OF business on November 10, last, the balance
had reached the unprecedentedly large sum Of
Ss35,S7457 On July 1. 1896 at the maturity Of
the 100000 temporary loan, which was effected
in 1894, a250, 900 was paid from the sinking fund
revenues, and the remaining a2o0,OOO was re-
funded at 8 per cent until July 1, 1897, at
which time itwas paid thus disposing OF that
debt TO do this, however, 1t was necessary to
. refund the 900 OF the funded debt falling
due July /. 1895, to July l. 1901 and the S25O0O1
y Of the same debt falling. due July |, 1897, to
July /, 1902 This has reduced the bonded in
debtedness OF Ohio to II, ,29l ,66l00 an amount
which, unless some unforeseen contingency
arises, will be discharged at about the average
rate OF $250O00 annually. leaving the state on
July /. 1902, only burdened with debt Of
Sl605, which represents canal bond that has
been lost and which has long ceased to draw
interest The so-called irreducibe debt,
which is not debt but trust created by the
sale Of school lands, for which due account is
given annually by interest paid to the common
school fund, WILL OF course remain undis-
turbed. Ohio has, therefore, only to continue
duly conservative course to occupy most
unique place In the subsequent record Of states
finances--that Of being practically without o
vised action in the wav OF placing new bur-
den Of Indebtedness upon the people, Is GER
tainly to be hoped for and counselled.
The law which laid an excise tax OF ~ per
cent upon the gross earnings and receipts OF
certain corporations produced. during the is-
cal year ending November l5 1897, the sum of
S526 750.46 The taxes aggregating the amount
given were paid promptly and almost without
protest by the corporations upon which the
levy was made, and their action In that re-
spect deserves the highest commendation,
since 1t was patriotic and fair-minded. The
state has expended nothing in litigation, and
the small amount Of the tax still due is owed
by insolvent or foreign freight line companies
from which 1t can eventually be collected by
distress or otherwise
10 this revenue law, and the additional
amount accruing to the state under the in
crease In the liquor traffic tax, to the efficient
work OF departments In collecting legal reve-
nues and fines, and to good results In state in
81 stitutons which have the chance Of earning
some money for the public treasury, is a large
portion Of the satisfactory financial condition
due, But there must also be proper recogni-
tion OF the careful economy, conservative poll
n az and wise administration Of those who have
disbursed the states money In the various in
stftutions. To their conservatism In the past
and prudence In the present is attributable
much OF the good returns for the investments
made in state property for charitable, benevo-
lent and penal purposes.
Your attention Is invited to the following
financial statements, prepared by the treasurer
0i state. showing the receipts and expenditures
for the fiscal year ending November Is, 1895
and the fiscal year ending November l5 1897:
Recapituiation OF receipts and disbursements
Tor fiscal year ending November To- 1896
RECEIPTS.
From whom received anu to whom Amount
Balance in general revenue fund
November 49, 1895. j......s.......,...S 233,673 81
Balance in sinking fund November
s,sSs,,oe ~ nos' IN school fund November