Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1904-01-08

revenues in 1902 to be much in excess
of the wants of the state, and in this
manner the large balance referred to
was created. In order to pay the ex-
penses of 1908, we reduced that bal
ance to the extent of $470,919.96. At
the end of this year, If these expenses
are kept down to the same amount
as last year, there must be another
reduction of the surplus fund in the
amount of $335,S73.05. In short
time, even il the expenses of the
state are not increased, the surplus
will entirely disappear, unless new
sources of revenue are developed.
These are not now apparent.
NECESSITY FOR ECONOMY.
All this emphasizes the necessity
for the strictest economy in the ad-
ministration of all the affairs of the
state. i regret to say that l do not
now see in any direction disposition
to economize and to confne the ex-
penditures for the state to actual ne
cessities. Upon the other hand, the
feeling seems to be abroad that the
resources of the state are unlimited.
From many sources comes the de-
mand that the state shall enter upon
the building of armories for the
militia of the state, which If done,
would result in the expenditure OF
! four and half or five million dol
| lars. The great value and utihty OF
our canal system is set forth by many
and the demand made that three mil
| lion dollars be consumed within the
next year in their rehabilitation and
Improvement. The seventeen penal,
reformatory and benevolent institu-
tions ask for appropriations this
year amounting to $4,914,0S4.s0, which
is an increase over the appropria-
tions made for the same institutions
in 1902 of s1,235, ,5s7.01. The universi-
ties, heretofore sustained in part or
altogether by the state, make demand
that the assistance granted them
shall be at least half-million dollars
more than has ever before been CIV
en-. 1t is also with many forcible ar
guments urged that two other be-
nevolent institutions shall be estab'
lished, grounds purchased and build
ingS erected 1t is simply impossible
to listen to these demands.
have spoken of these matters plain
ly, because | believe 1t is due to the
general assembly that its members
should know the dangers that face
them, and then they will conduct
themselves accordingly.
THE SINKING FUND.
This fund was created for the pur'
pose of securing money with which
to pay the principal and interest OF
the funded debt of the state when il
became due, and also the interest or
the irreducible debt of the state
Prior to April 90, 1902, the levy fol
this purpose was three-tenths of one
mill upon each dollar of valuation oi
taxable property of the state. Or
the Goth of April. 1902, this levy wa:
reduced to ighteen-hundredths o
} one mill, reduction of twelve-hun
dredths of one mill. This saved t.
the taxable property of the stat
the sum of $139,O4O.OO during tn,
last year, and on the new duplicat,
will save this year the sum of S14o,
10000.
On the 18th of November, 1903, TIT
: balance in the sinking fund, afte
paying the last of the FUNDED debt
S20O,OOOOO, on the 1st of July-wa
S146, $4,000. The receipts from tn,
taxes for sinking fund purposes t.
Dt COIltCJtu DtCcInDtT anu a uu
next will be $370, 100000, making th
total amount available in this funC
during the year, $516, 692.O0. The dis
bursements during the year endin!
Nov. 10, 1904, will be $2S5, 100000 for in
terest on the irreducible debt. Th'
balance left in the fund Nov. Is, 1904
will be 1921, $4,000. l therefore sug
} gest that the levy for sinking fun,
purposes be again reduced to twelve
hundredths of one mill. This vii
furnish money enough to pay the in
terest on the irreducible debt, $2S5
10000 annually, and reduce the bal
ance in the sinking fund at the rat
of about forty-five thousand dollar
a year. This should be done, becaus
it is the accepted and fixed polio
of the state to dispense with n
levies for state purposes upon rea
$ and personal property of the stat
e as soon as practicable.
$ THE COMMON SCHOOL FUND.
! BY the act of April 20, 1902, tn
4 levy for the support of commo
I schools was reduced from one mill o
each dollar of valuation of taxabl
. property to ninety-five hundredths c
one mill. This saved to the propert
:. owners of the state during the las
year the sum of $9O,5OO.0O. and wi
: save during the coming year the SUI
of cS100000.00.
: THE UNIVERSITIES.
d During the five years passed, tn
: state of Ohio has paid for the SUI
r port of the Ohio State University, tn
e improvement of its grounds and tn
e enlargement of its buildings, the fo
: lowing sums of money:
: 1899 .............. $219,974.41
/. 1900 .............. 13,3S2.32
}, 1901 .............. BOG, 6,49S.11
d 1902 .............. 329,343.64
+ 1908 ............. 332, ,326.4O
: Total .............$1,39 1901, ,525.sS
During the coming year, under I'll
i act of May sth, 1902, this universit
6 will receive from the state of OH
~ l. 4 4 49, q.