The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-13


Auditor Hart on estate Finances"
The address of w. II. Hart auditor of
state. on state Finances was one OF the
most interesting Of the night. 1t reviewed
the fiscal operations of the State and how
they are conducted, besides giving a mass
of statistics. 1.-The cost of government in
Indiana he said, lis less than any other
State 1 know of. There are fewer super
numeraries, sinecures and figureheads. The
Republican party came practically into
power in Indiana, so far as business re-
sponsibilfty is concerned, in 1895. Governor
Matthews was not superseded until 1897,
but the Legislature and the fiscal manage
ment Of the State were Republican. The
tax levy inherited from the Democrats was
SO cents on the 800. The Republican Legis-
i cent, the state school 212 cents, making.
the levy 2SIa cents The Republican Legis-
lature Of 1897 provided for an educational
institutional tax of % cents on the 500
for the three state colleges, instead of MAX
ing annual appropriations. so that indi-
rectly, we are paying a school tax of II 2-3
cents. The general expenses Of the State
are largely paid from the state and benev-
Olent institution levies Of ii cents on the
Indiana is $1.46 the 800. The rate in Cook
county, Illinois, is s6.52. and but few coun-
ties in that State are less than 81 on the
800. This fearful condition is because of
the assessments of values and of extrava-
gance. The state tax levy for general fund,
when the Democrats came into power in
1891, was u cents the $780, which their
Legislature promptly increased to is cents
on the $780, The Republican Legislature in
1895 as promptly reduced it TO cents,
which, with the benevolent institution fund
tax of cents. increases il to ii cents
THE state debt in 1891, when the Demo-
Gratis took charge, was $3.50 6l5.12: in 1895,
when the Republicans came into power it
was $3.50, 3D. a reduction of $1,3l0,000 or
S327.500 per year. and Of this amount 900
was received from the government in pay
ment of the direct war tax. The state debt
on Oct. 81, 1901, after seven years of Re
publican administration, was 81, 20i els II, or
a reduction of s., 326, 600, or an average of
&15,1H per year This amount was further
reduced Jan. 2, 1902 200, making the
oebC tonight So. SS7 615.12. The annual inter-
est has been reduced from S243, 725 to Sl31.-
500. One million and eightyfve thousand
dollars of 312 per cent. bonds cannot be paid
until 1915, not having any option feature.
The bonds owing Purdue and Indiana uni
Versities, amounting to SS4,OoO, at 8 per
debt, $z,3l3,000 Is at the option of the State,
and Governor Durbin will have the honor
of paying every dollar of this during his
administration. In addition to this splendid
debt-paying record, there has been paid for
new buildings and repairs TO meet the rap
idly growing demands of the penal, benevo-
lent and reformatory institutions, 81 1872, 600,
besides $125, coo to establish the State Sol
diers' Home, and over 100000 to complete
the soldiers monument, in addition TO the
each Legislature. The average yearly cost
of maintenance of the state Institutions has
been $1,O6oOOO, and although the population
of these institutions has lncreaSed-in the
case of the insane, 20 per cent.-the aver
age expense has been lessened. The 1899 re-
port of the Board of State Charities says.
If the per capita cost of maintaining the
state institutions in 1899 had been what il
in 1884, it would have cost the State
$40, $50 70 more.
ut is a cause of sincere congratulation
that Indiana has led the advance in the
forward movement toward placing state in
stitutions on business, humanitarian and
nonpartisan plane. The soldiers orphan is
being educated and cared for; the needy
veterans and their wives have a comfort
able home in their declining years; the very
best reformatory in the United States has
been established and every opportunity
given those in the penal institutions for ed
ucation and reform, based on their indi-
Viduai records The best care and the best
food is provided; economy, without parsi-
mony or neglect, practiced; discipline and
industry enforced. Competitive bids control
all purchases; merit and competency deter
mine tenure of employees, and strict fidelity
to accountings required, not only in the in
spection of supplies, but in the daily outgo
for consumption.
1.-Two bureaus have been added under the
Republican administration; that of factory
former was extended by the Legislature of
1901, so that now the laboring public are
enjoying the States care in the sanitary
conditions, and other safeguards in facto-
visions of the child labor statute. children
have been practically eliminated from fac
tories, and under the compulsory education
act, are in school The work of the labor
commission has been of incalculable finan-
cial benefit to the State. besides bringing
blessings to those that toll. Arbitration and
the counsel of the states representatives
have easily taken the place OF strikes saw
ing wages sacrificed In enforced idleness
and strengthening the mutual relations of
labor and capital. The increased expense In
volved in extending the work of the Board
Of State Charities has saved the State hun
dreds of thousands of dollars, besides in its
humanitarian aspect, accomplishing results
not measurable in a financial way. The de-
pendent children and orphans homes are
cared for by state agents, and private
homes secured for those left for public
care and support. This financial saving to
the counties Is large item. but not com
parable TO the higher interests and desti-
MES involved The work in outdoor poor
relief has resulted in a reduction from
$3.50, COO in 1895, 10 $4,000, in 1900, with no
increase in want or suffering.
Having lowered the tax levy, the Re
publican Legislature of 1885 promptly
passed the fee and salary act, which has
resulted in an annual saving Of many thou
sands OF dollars TO the State and counties
One very practical example can be found