The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-04-13
STATE FINANCES.

The financial affairs of the state do not
seem to be in a very satisfactory condi-
ton. The Governor is going to New York
TO borrow 900 with which TO pay the
school teachers. This trouble about
money for the school steachers appears
to be a chronic one. There is always
money to pay the members of the Legis-
lature and the oficeholders, but there
never seems 10 be enough to pay the
school teachers. When it is stated tina t
there is a deficit in the school fund the
statement is generally denied by some
one, and an argument is presented to
show that the school fund is all right,
only the money does not get into the
treasury in time to pay the teachers sal
aries when they are due. The truth
seems to be, however, that there $ a
deficit in the school fund of several hun
bred thousand dollars.
Another question that is troubling the
State House officials is whether money
belonging to the fund for the redemption
Of bonds can be drawn upon for other
purposes-can be borrowed for some other
fund. The Attorney General thinks it
can, and prominent lawyers" think it
can't. The State Treasurer is inclined to
follow the advice of the prominent law
yers." The matter may go to the courts
for settlement.
And the wdows-the ones granted pen
sions at the last session of the Legis-
lature-are wondering where the money
is to come from with which TO satisfy
their claims. If we are not mistaken,
there was no specific appropriation for
their pensions, but the Governor is very
anxious that they shall be paid, and he
may borrow the money for that pur-
pose. If he does, the Legislature, at it's
session this year. will have to raise the
rate of taxation. 1t is probable that it
will have to do so whether the Governor
borrows money for the widows or not,
because, from present indications, the
states revenue will not meet its obliga-
tions.
1t Is not at all surprising that the
states financial affairs are not in the
most satisfactory condition. In the first
place the Legislature entered upon its
duties last fall with the idea of reducing
the rate of taxation. 1t wanted to i'm
press the people apparently with the idea
that 1t meant TO adopt policy of eeono-
my. Then it made appropriations and in
CURED obligations-the new class of PEN
sions for widows-beyond the amount of
the revenue. Hence the present trouble.
The financial discussions in the Legisla-
ture at it's last session seemed to indicate
that that body was all at sea in respect
to financial matters. When it adjourned
there was doubt in the minds of many
whether or not il understood the finan-
cial situations. After it's adjournment
there was great deal of newspaper talk
about the states finances, and nobody
seemed 10 understand them fully. What
seems clear now is that there is not suf-
ficient money in the treasury, available
for the purposes for which it Is needed.
to pay the states obligations, and that
there will not be enough even when all
of the taxes are collected. At the next
session of the Legislature it will be
thought advisable probably to find out
what the states financial needs are be-
fore fixing the tax rate. The policy OF
fixing the rate and then mourning obi
cations without regard to the revenue
does not appear to be a good one.