The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1898-11-04
Che state,. r,n.nci.l Cona,t.o..

pupefS throughout tHe state, ana III
some Republican papers-with the
foot-note: ':rhis space sold to the In.
dependent and Democratic committee
some figures and remarks on the
states financial condition, compiled, 1t
Is surmised, by A. w. Porter, who is
just now in charge of the bureau work
for the Popultst state committee.
Mr.. Porter juggles and charms the
figures to make all sorts Of ridiculous
statements. The attention of Hon. H.
A. Langlie, state examiner, having
been called to the matter, he mas taken
the trouble to go over the records at
Bismarck carefully, and the following
IS the result:
NJ. IL. Jewell. Secretary Republican
State COMMITTEES:
Dear Sir: In compliance with your
recent request for statement showing
the financial condition of North Dako-
Ia. and making comparisons between
the pOpulist and Republican admins
trations. have the honor to submit
the following:
When the popHlistS assumed control
1893, there was Il cash balance in the
general fund of $1O9.47G42. The state
ments made by the several county
treasurers for collections due the state
on account of the general fund for the
quarter ending Dec. 81. 1892. We're
turned over to the Populist auditor by
the Republican auditor. The receipts
from the several counties on account
of the above mentioned statements
amounted to $64 ILL. 40 for the general
fund.
Thus it will be seen that the total
amount in the general fund for the
Populists to begin business with
amounted to 3..593.S2. less bills con-
tracted by the Republican administra-
ton of $14.125.37, leaving a net balance
of $3.50, 46S.45.
According TO Nomland's own records.
he collected. to the credit of the gen
eral fund during his term Of two years.
S747. 637.75. Added to this amount the
cash in said fund turned over 10 Nom.
land of S1O9.476.i2. gives us $S5G114.17
expenditures during the Popul;st adj
ministration. In addition to this. there
appeared an overdraft of S7.+66.74 in
said fund when Treasurer Ncmland
turned the Office over to Treasurer
Nichols. That is, this amount was
paid out of other funds. because there
was no money in the general fund
wherewith to pay said amount. Not
only did the Republican administra
ton encounter the overdraft. but I'M
paid bills and claims were filed in the
Sc, of4 &, f1,n of CT ~.
900. for which warrants were not is
sued. on account of there being no
funds to pay the same. This brings
the total expenditures of the PoDulist
administration up to $97S.5S0.91.
According to the records in the treas
urer's Office. the total collections made
by Nichols for the credit of the general
fund during the years of 1895 and 1886
amounted to $7S4.495.0S, and on the
LIST day of January. 1897, there was a
balance of $56.4S to the credit Of said
fund. There were unpaid bills and
claims on Jan. /, 1897, to the amount
f S34.GS244.
Thus it will be seen that the total ex-
penditures for the two years Of 1895
and 1886 We're the total collections less
the cash balance of S7S4.43S.6Q and the
unpaid bills of S34 .6S2.44, making to-
tai of $S19.121.O4.
In regard to fl;nding warrants. there
were issued funding warrants for the
purpose Of paying the deficit Of the
populist administration. and to pay the
legislative expenses of 1895. in all,
$4,000. and $4,000 were issued in
1896. making total Of $230.OOO. Dur
ing the yeats 1856 these warrants
were all redeemed except the small is
sue of $4,000. which was outstanding
on Jan. 1. 1857. Adding this $4,000 to
the two years expenditures. the total
cost Of running the state by the Repub-
lican administration was $3.50. 121 OF.
the Republicans running the state for
S134.459.S7 less than the Pops-the
same length of time being taken into
consideration in both cases. The total
collections for the general fund for the
year ending Dec. 81. 1897. were $3.50
500 II. and on the LIST day of January,
1898. there was SS.17S1G balance to
the credit Of the general fund, which
makes the expenditures for that year
less than the preceding year.
Statements have been made that
there will he deficiency Of about $50
COO in excess of the deficiency left by
the Populist administration. at the end
of the present yeair. The following are
the facts. which cannot be refuted: l
find by the assessment reports from
the several counties. that the personal
property assessment for the present
year. "a eq1iaiiZed by the state board.
amounts TO $50 g29. S31. The amount
of taxes for the state general fund. on
this valuation. will amount to SS1 LIB
IS. The revenue law is such that this
will be paid prior to Jan. l. next. 1t is
also safe 10 say that at least $4,000
will he collected from the delinquent
real estate taxes forced by sale in De-
cember next. In fact. there are over
S3tO. 900 delinquent taxes due from the
several counties: so that my estimate
of realizing $4,000 from that ought tc
be very conservative.
Then there are the real estate taxes
levied for the present year. amounting
to $24S.741 90 for the general fund. or
a valuation of S65, 45S.29O. and it /:
safe to say $4,000 of this will be pait
prior to Jan. 1 next. Then comes thu
railroad taxes. which are over $4,000
due to the general fund Of the state
and which, without doubt. will be pait
tefore the 5 per cent penalty attaches
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