, 1901-12-16
.es are that the levy will be Iurther

ties are that the levy will be iurther
decreased.
The aggregate revenue OF the state
from all sources for the fiscal year
ending September goth, 1901 was $3.50
900. 90 while the disbursements for me
same period OF time: which includes
salaries and contingent expenses OF
officers. care OF ana expense OF COA-
yicts. juvenile delinquents. The uc1t,
dumb, and bnnd, General ana insane
Hospitals, fish h~atcheries, bounty on
wild animals, interest on uonIeu acDt.
university support, Legislative "X-
penses, erection and care of public
building, return of troops from the
Philippines and support of common
schools, was SAIL 100000; a net excess
of receipts over disbursements OF
fully sustains the statement heretofore
made relating to our government.
Taxes for all purposes in State and
County Government except for special
school purposes in the year 1894 were
2lA mills on the dollar, while for the
year 1901 the average tax for the same
purposes was 10 mills, a decrease of
PA mills in eight years.
Notwithstanding the large increase
in business conducted in the several
state departments there has beer but
a slight increase in expense. The
salary n contingent expense of State
Officers aggregated for the fiscal year
ending September 30th, 1893, $74.-
10000 while for the fiscal year ending
September Both, 1901 the amount was
$~S3.374.0O; an increase of less than
5 5000. 90. The fees collected by State
Officers in 1893 were 81, $685. 90 while
in 1901 the SUI is 1874, 37S.0O.
During the last fiscal year there
was derived from the rental of public
lands $50, 100000 of which $67 5000 o
accrues directly to the common
schools and the State University, and
$40, 900. 90 for the benefit of the Chart
table Institutions of the State. In
1892 the aggregate receipts from the
rental of public lands was $11 5000 10.
County Finance.
The finances of the counties are in
excellent condition and every county
is upon a cash basis. This is contrast
with the conditions existing in 1892
when there were but two Counties in
the State upon an approximate cash
basis, while the remaining number
with n or W exceptions had a large
floating Indebtedness in addition to
their bonded debt. The present excel
lent condition is the result of econom-
ic recommendations. wise legislation,
and the cooperation of honest and ef-
ticient public officials.
In addition to the payment of all ex-
penses of County Government from the
ordinary revenues, there has been paid
annually, a large amount of the float
I inc lnhf raforraJ m with tho cYt,.-
plus ven of the present year all
but two Counties will have discharged
such Indebtedness in full with inter.
est, and the small amount remaining
will probably be paid during the en-
suing year.
No County, Municipality, or School
District has defaulted or sought to null
lily either the payment Of principal
or interest of any of their obligations.
Generally speaking, prudent and care
full business men have been selected
to administer public County affairs.
The disposition that once prevailed
to issue evidence of Indebtedness re-
CARELESS of the ability of the County
to pay, no longer exists, each years eX
penses are a lien upon the funds of the
current year only. No debt in excess
of the revenue of the current e a
be created except by a vote of the PEG.
pie, and such debt is limited by the
Constitution to two per cent of the as
sessed value of the property within
the County.
Our bonded Indebtedness of State,
County, Municipality, and School dis
trict aggregates 81, 1850, 723.0O.
The bonds of the State and Counties
are now coming due in annual Install
ments. The first installment of State
bonds maturing January LIST, next, of
500, 100000 will be paid from taxes
levied and now being collected and
from year to year a small levy of taxes
| will be made for this purpose until all
of the bonds nave been paid and the
| State freed from debt. The payment
of each installment of bonds maturing
means a reduction of 81, 10000 per an
mum in interest, a gross saving Of
$54, 100000 in ten years. Nine of the
thirteen Counties Of the State are max
ing provision to pay their bonds
as they mature.
Three Counties during the year have
refunded their six per cent bonded
debt. at rates of four to four and three
eighths per cent per mum. Popula-
ton and assessed valuation consider
l WA, cah ociito u Sly III u
than those of any other state.
Business principles in public affairs
have brought our State and all its
auxiliary governments to the enyiable
position we enjoy. Economy has been
our watchword, and has of itself been
a great revenue. We are progressive
always leading-never following.
Our citizens are to be congratulated
on the favorable conditions prevailing.
| A word of caution is not out of place.
Care must be exercised else we are
liable to be carried by the high sea Of
prosperity, upon the rocks Of owe con-
fidence, speculation, imitation of val
ues. and all of those elements which
leave disaster in their wake.
l trust that you will pardon me for
referring in conclusion, to some mat
tiers hat appear of vital Importance to
the development of the State.
Wyoming is a treasure house of In
told wealth-her capabilities from a
pastoral and agricultural point are as
yet but known in part. There are mil
lions of acres of land only awaiting
the magic touch of scientific cultiva-
ton to make them produce bountiful
harvests and l predict that within a
few a our geography will De
amended to show among the wheat
producing states, the State Of Wyo-
ming.
Our mineral are undevel-
oped, the hills and mountains of the
State are %fabulously rich in precious
metals. Developments prove this
statement. Mines are made, not
found. In coal, iron and oil we vie
with Pennsylvania, and are the Sec
ond wool producing state in the I'm