The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1904-06-23

state government is like any great bus
mess institution, considered from the
standpoint of accountability and re-
sponsibility to the people of the COM
monwealth. 1t believes the humblest
taxpayer is an interested stakeholder
in the financial affairs of the states
business, and that ineficiency, indif-
ference or waste in public administra-
ton, expenditures or accountings is a
crime"
In his last report to the governor,
covering the fiscal year ending Oct.
81, 1903, State Auditor Sherrick pre-
sents some figures bearing on state
accounting which are of interest to tax
payers. In discussing the fiscal affairs
of the state he says:
There is now levied for state pur-
poses an aggregate tax Of Box cents
on each 500. OF this amount nine
cents is for the general fund, and five
cents for the benevolent institution
fund. From the levies in these funds
combined co0e to the state all the
taxes that are or can be used for the
general expenses of the state, and said
taxes amounted last year to $2,009,-
806.27. The levy for school purposes
is IL cents on the 500, and the taxes
resulting are distributed pro rata
among the different counties, accord
ing to the enumeration of school chill
dren. This tax aggregated last year
81, 667, S92.66. The specific levy of 8
cents on each 500 for payment on the
public debt amounted to $414,49S.37,
and was Immediately applied to the
purposes of its collection. The edu-
cational institution tax of one and two
thirds cents on each 800 amounted to
1920, 334.3S, and was distributed as the
law provides; 40 per cent to the Indi-
ana University, 30 per cent to the State
Normal School, and 80 per cent to Pur-
due University.
'The maintenance cost Of the state
institutions, Notwithstanding the in
creased prices of many articles enter
ing into consumption, has been within
the appropriations, and there will be
no deficits for the legislature to pro-
vide for; one institution, the Central
Hospital for Insane, not even drawing
any OF its large per capita allowance
of $24, 602.21. The cost of excess pop
ulation above the basis fixed for the
regular maintenance appropriations In
the larger institutions was $5S,175.16.
The uniform accounting system Of
debts and credits from purchase to
consumption, the competitive plan of
buying with discounts for cash, the
cultivation of the ground and the rails
ing of stock where institutions have
farm lands, has lessened the cost of
vegetables. meats, potatoes and milk
quite percepubly. and Is manifest In
the excellent comparison of per capita
with the years past"
Auditor Sherrick has been active
and emcienI in the supervision Of
banking. building and loan and insur-
ance concerns falling within the jur.
todiction Of his department, and has
Initiated important prosecutions which
have resulted in practically eliminat-
Ing wildcat companies Of this charac-
ter. There has been under his 3D.
ministration unusual vigilance In the
protection of the rights Of the state
IN the land department Of the auditors
once. In the Insurance department
alone fees and taxes aggregating $685.
0e4ss were collected during the fiscal
yeer 1903. IN increase over the pre-
vious year q $4,000.