The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1900-01-04
HISLAST MESSAGE
Gov. Bushnell Sends 1t to
the Legislature.
formed by the State Institutions
During the Past Two Years.
Together with a Number
of Recommendations.
Gentlemen of the senate and House of Repre-

In fultillment Of the duty prescribed by the
constitution Of the state OF Ohio, have the
honor to submit to the general assembly my
second and final message, reporting upon the
various affairs of the state government during
the last two years. and making certain sug-
gestions as to legislation and other matters oi
interest and probable expediency.
In this closing year OF memorable century,
the record OF which contains the whole history
of the state Of Ohio, it can he seen that the
people have every reason to be satisfied with
the combined results Around us are all the
evidences OF progressive and advanced ciyiiiz-
blessings of rich natural resources bestowed
by Divine favor: industry and thrift rule in
our citizenship. and the future is one of prom
Use. Through the enforcement OF good laws,
justly interpreted and through the ready and
patriotic support from the people. there has
nearly all affairs which is fitting to mark the
end Of an and herald another The review
which will follow should demonstrate again
the reasons for the pride OF our people in Ohio.
Ii displays u fine financial status, an unrivalled
system OF public. benevolent and educational
designs and the record OF conscientious dis
charge of duty upon the par: of all who serve
the common wealth.
FINANCES oFoHIo.
At the close OF business, ON November Is.
1879. the end OF the fiscal year. there was II
balance in the general revenue fund Of ii,Oi-
GS2.3, This was the re- suit after two yelrs in
which every debt had been discharged when
due, in which there were no advance drafts up-
on county treasurers, in which there had oc-
Cured war, which necessitat d the Statf
government making large expenditures To
cover the cost of the mobilization OF troo i'S
answering to the call Of the president OF the
United States OF volunteers in which cSteu-
sivc building operations connected with the
state caption and with many of the institutions
were inaugurateu. and in some instant rs com
pleted. and in which there were many extraor-
dinary expenses of various characters.
The funded debt of Ohio, all bearing per
cent interest is at this time II. OBJ 66A 10, and
of that amount ii l65 % represents lost cana
bond. upon which interest has long since
ceased or the payable portion OF the debt.
al 0UOUOO OO.uO6 will fall due July |, 1900
s-ou.O OJO ON July /. 1901; i250uO0 on July l. 100 :
and 2O,OOO (war loan on July |. 1903
The borrowing of money to meet the war e>-
pcuditures seemed absolutely necessary ut tht'
time. but in view of the result of the prompt
measures taken Tor securing rcimburs 'ment to
the state from the general government II now
appears that the loan effected could have been
materially reduced and perhaps nave been
avoided However. there was no way of fore
seeing that outcome. In the portion OF this
message ealing with the part OHIO took in the
Span nish-Anericau war. there will appear Il
statement of the disbursements on account OF
the war and he receipts FRO II the general gov
ernment in payment OF Ohio's claims.
To more clearly show the meaning OF the
present financial condition OF Ohio aud to
demonstrate the satisfactory nature "i the
revenue system, IL is well 10 call attention to
the extraordinary expenses authorized and di-
rected by the last general assem- bly,. Tine appro-
prlatiOnS in tn" it>caI year lSys. for new build
ings Improvements and extraordinary eA-
penScs deS gneo to cover III" cost of permanent
fiscal year 1882 these e&traoI 4 mary appropria-
tions. distributed TO the various state insiitE-
tions. aInountcJ TO over go tOvu. making ti'-
tai for two wears or over II. .5UU.O0l Df th.S
amount s4Dl WAS devoted TO the new stat
building designed TO extend the uccommodt-
tions of the state capitol The remainder wa.
expended to provide for increased GcCommodg-
tions. for necessary improveui ants and to meet
emergencies AT the institutions which care TO
and educate the attiicted, and provide for til
. keeping and education OF the criminal and M
Corrglble classes
There was credited in the year 1898 from tirc
law wAich lail an excise tax OF one half . /
per cent. upon the gross receipts of corpora
tionS enjoying quasi public franchises. the sl!u.
of l55s, 900 This tax Is charged for col ui'"
in November of each wear hut On account ui
the fiscal year ending November T., the rcsu.i
is that the true amount levied and coilnrtgt
for each wear is rot expressed by the returns,
the treasury statement 1T the end Oi Iha H-Ct,
year often irclu ling portions OF The tax i.u t}v
preceding and ensuing years IhwN liz"
amount levied for 1898 was 4yt..ii s". white TIE
apparent receipts for the year were. ha,
been stated. s55S 600. The amount levied fot
1899 was :s2 .sOs. is OF wnirh. al the cnd uG the
fisealyear 1899 there was collected sSs!i.&"
A. usual. very nearly all the ba!al'c has L'r!.
collected. there being but Il slight loss ea'L
year. 1t can be seen therefore that the cyciSr.
law in 1sSp produced the greatest Irturn IN t..
life OF the act 1T might be well TO anne, d lut.
law so that the auditor Of state can make this
collection in October Or December Of each year
and thus enable the true rrSUl, OF Tie tax t.
be expressed III .aca years ttnanctal state
ment The Dow law tax IL the last Two years
has provided S2.082 Gg5.53
Allow me the privilege OF counSelng for the
future such careful consideration as to ap-
preparations AS will continue the prudent pni-
icy Of keeping within our income. Olio Ii -.
now the prospect Of enough revenue. bat tne
promise Is not such n, to warrant any eStrava-
gance. II there is 10 he II radical departure OF
any kind let ii he in the way cf reducing the
state levy thus giving beneht 10 all the peo-
pie and aifordtng !. satiSfact ory object lesson
FOR municipalities of the state.
EMERGENCY BOARD.
Since the adjournment OF the Seventy-third
general assembly the board. consisting uf the
governor, the auditor OF state, the attorney
general and the cha irInen Of the house and SEN
ate finance commit tees and known as the eIner-
Gency board, has held various meetings. and
authorized deficiencies 10 the amouIt OF saHI.-
go. This, al first glance. may stem large
sum to be covered by the deficiency apprOpri.-
tion bill. but it should he understood thai
slO0, 900 of II is practically transfer of funds
II having, as is explained elsewhere. been al
lowed for unforming ana eQulpping OF the
Ohio national guard.
The other large items of expense in the list
. deficiencies authorized are principally TO
the state institutions. Breaks In the canal
system on account OF floods neceSsitated the
expenditure Of sI.,Um The abandonment OF a
cottage ut the boys industrial school by order
OF the inspector OF workshops and factories re-
quired an appropriation OF ss,O30 for the con-
struction of "a new building II was found
necessary to allow t2i60U for necessary ex-
penses in connection with the ne " school build
ing al the institution for the deaf and dumb
for various necessary things At the MasSillOn
state hospital ,25 500 was allowed: new boilers.
ordinary repairs aud improvements. changes
Of sanitary conditions at the various hospitals
account for many Of the other large amounts
| again exp press the opinion that through the
emergency board there is q satisfactory way
of attending to such business during the in
terim of legislative sessions, According to
my view, there il every reason for continuing
the wise and prudent policy of biennial ses-
sessions Of the general assembly. The bien-
nial session plan is heartily approved by the
iI1 N nRnnle a. ~
has yet to demonstrate that there Is necessity
for the return to The old policy Of annual ses-
xions- BY the meeting OF the general assem-
bly, once every two years large amount OF
money is saved 10 the state. and through the
emergency board the interests OF the state s
institutions and departments, which require
extraordinary expenditure At certain times, do
people al large will cordially endorse the con-
tinuance of the biennisi session plan: and on
the other hand th IRE but few who will ad-
vance any argument in favor of the old system
uf annual SESSIONS.
TAXATION.
No subject for mature and careful nsidera-
tion will come more prominently before your
alton in its several branches While 1t may
not lie within the power OF the general assem-
bly, during this session to effect the reforms
which are needed. there is still the opportunity
Of doing much through the lsws under which
the state board Of equalization will act. 1t Is
TO be assumed that this general assembly will
prov iGe for the meeting Of the state board Ol
the work which decennially has devolved upon
The board Whether The old plan OF having the
state board Of equalization consist Of Q num-
Der equal TO ths senators In the general assem-