The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-11-23

they become delinquent. One-half of the
taxes that ultimately pass from the de-
nnquent column by being charged on be-
cause of insolvency could have been col
iected had the law been enforced by the
county treasurers when the delinquency
nrst occurred. The 500 exemption permits
ABUSES that the trainers of the law never
contemplated.
During the year 1899 there was paid on
the claim of the State for equipment or
soldiers for the Spanish war S44. $3.50 and
the balance is i'm process OF settlement.
There is bill before Congress that has
been reported favorabIy authorizing the
payment of the State, on account OF ex-
penses incident TO the large fiscal opera
IONS connected with the floating of bonds
py Indiana during the civil war, amount
ing 10 near one-half million dollars, whicr
IL enacted into law will be a partial recon-
pense OF the outlay OF the State although
not nearly the full amount of the claim.
SPECIFIC APPROPRIATIONS.
1.-The unusual specific appropriations of
the Legislature of 1899. the largest in the
history of the State, have been paid so
far as due and the entire amount will be
readily met as it natures from the general
fund, and In 1899 surplus of $4,000 was
applied from this fund in the payment of
the State debt. AS to whether it is advis-
able to reduce the levy for current ex-
penses or not depends on the desire of the
Legislature as TO the rapid liquidation Of
the debt, and the amount of general and
specific appropriations enacted. At the
present time, with present liabilities, the
levies of cents for the general fund and
cents for the benevolent institutions fund.
In addition TO the fees and income accru-
ing rom state offices and institutions, FUR.
n1sh ample revenues for all governmental
expenses and leave a substantial balance
To pay on the state debt.
The college fund principal now in the
treasury of the State amounts to $SI, zoo 10,
and cannot be loaned at per cent. There
should be a reduction in the rate OF In
terest, and the law should be made man
datory as to foreclosure, so that per-
sonal judgments may be obtained, rather
than the mere possession of the security.
Thousands of dollars of land bought in by
the State through delinquencies of Dor
rowers will show very material losses be-
cause OF expanded appraisements ana
other wrongs at the time of making loans.
I'm basng an estimate of the receipts
Tor the fiscal years of 1902 and lyO3, the
amount of the duplicate, the levy, the
percentage of delinquent taxes, and the
aggregate OF fees from the different state
offices, with earnings and income of state
institutions must be carefully considered.
i believe II entirely safe to estimate, predl-
Gated on probable conditions. that there is
every assurance of no material change, so
far as the volume of duplicate, aggregate
OF taxes and fees and institutional income
is concerned, taking for granted the tax
levies will be as at present. With this con-
dition L submit the following estimate
OF receipts in epitome, following with estt-
mate of disbursements in itemized form:
1.-THE taxable property of the State I'm
1899 amounted to 81 ,335. 746, SOS, and the num-
Der assessable for poll tax was 429, lis; with
levy Of cents on every 500 worth OF prop
erty and 90 cents on every poll the levy
for the general fund would be S1,4l652S. 40.
Allowing per cent. delinquency the re-
ceipts from taxation to the general fund
would be $1,317 ,37143
Upon the same basis the total taxes
levied for the benevolent institutions fund
upon a levy of cents upon every 500 OF
taxable property would be $667, S7340. AL
lowing z per cent. for delinquency the net
receipts would be s621 liz. %. The receipts
in the two funds would therefore be about
s., 93S, 493. 6S. In addition to the amount
which will be available from taxation the
receipts TO the general fund from the fees
OF state offices, earnings of institutions and
other income earning sources of the State
will be $45OUO0. having been $4,000 in the
year just closed. In addition TO this the
receipts from the United States govern
ment on account of the Soldiers Home
will be about $4,000. Recapitulating we
have:
From taxes in general and benev-
olent institutions fund. .........S 1888 493. 6S
From officers collections, etc.. $50 900 90
From United States government. 100000
Total 50, 463 493. 6S
s2,066,0l0 for the year 1902 and 81, l63,360 for
the year 1903. Deducting the estimated dis
bursements from the estimated receipts
we have a. balance remaining for the year
1902 Of 1891, 4S36S and for the year 1903 of
$500, 1855.
''It will be understood that the estimate
| of disbursements does not include any
specific expenditures, but is based solely
state government and the natural increases
that must follow.