The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1906-01-11
Governor HerriCk'S
Message to the Legislature
10 the General Assembly:

bly, meets in tho midst OF material an0
Industrial prosperity such as Ohio has
never before experienced. Agriculture Is
thriving in nm unusual degree; labor Is
well employed; the public debt mas peen
paid; there is balance of about three
million dollars in the treasury, and the
present revenues are sufficient to meet
all proper and reasonable demands for
the expenses Of the State government.
All citizens may take n just pride IN
the fact that the administration OF our
State affairs Is free from scandal and our
public institutions are being managed
with increasing efficiency and economy.
l congratulate the members or the
Seventy seventh General Assembly that
they meet amid circumstances so auspi-
cious for the consideration of ways and
means to maintain the present bus'-
ness conditions Of the State, and to es-
tablish additional safeguards for the
welfare of our people.
Condition OF the Treasury.
On the 18th of November, 1908, the
balance in the State Treasury to tne
credit of the General Revenue Fund was
s2.434,G54.T7. During the next fiscal
year, and prior to the close OF business
on the 18th day of November, 19O4,
there was to the credit of this fund SS.-
O4J, ,232.41. During the same year the
sum of SG,O43, ,O02.4S was paid from the
General Revenue Fund in discharge OF
the general expenses of the State govern
ment. This left balance in the Treas
ury to the credit of the General Revenue
Fund at the close of business on the ioth
of November, 1904, of S2.O0Z, ,22y.o3;
The total receipts paid into this fund
during the fiscal year ending November
Is, 1905, amounted to S6,3OI ,211.3l, or
S2S7, ,596.2S more than on November 10,
1904.
On the 18th of November. 1908. there
was n balance to the credit of the Sink
ing Fund of $146,692.69. On November
Is. 1905, there was balance Of $3oI,-
0I2.65. This increasing balance has
been occasioned by the fact that the
grand duplicate Of the State has been
growing, while the rate of this special
levy has remained stationary. A caicu-
lntion shows that the present levy for the
so-called sinking fund could be reduced
from 1S-100 mills to 12-1OO of mill.
As there is no lawful purpose to be
served in creating a balance. or contin-
ung surplus in this fund, recon-
mend that the levy be reduced.
There was paid from the Common
School Fund during the year 1903 the
sum Of 81, 12G,3SS.00, leaving a balance
to the credit of the fund on November
15. 1905, of SLIT T,30S.20. The present
tax levy for common schools. If main-
tained. WILL by reason of the increas.
ing grand auplicate of the State, yield
increasing revenue, both in the aggregate
and per capita. from year to year. :.
In the University Fund the total
amount available during the year was
S5O334T.01. There was paid out during
the year fo. the benefit of the universe
ties the sum of $430.6I I.G3. leaving a
ba lance OH November 10, 1908. Of &c.,
1IU.44.
Total Expenditures.
The following table shows the actual
expenditures Of the State government for
the two years ending November 10, 1904.
and November 10. 1905. respectively.
These figures include under the item Of
general expenses not only the disburse.
ments for current needs, hut the cost OF
new buildings and improvements at State
institutions and all appropriations for
whatever purposes:
General expenses. Sc, ,oi3. .o02.4s ol1,016.o1
Sinking Fund.-. oSI,4 %o.So00o
Fund :. ........ o,i14,3O7.s5 2,126. .3ss 90
University Fund. a03,4G371 I3O,576.63
Totai ......... $3.50. .a3G6I ss,So7, ,Sas. 53
For the next two years. 1906 and 1907,
there is no reason why the expenditures
of the State should be greater than they
have been for the last two years, and no
necessity for increasing the revenues.
There may be necessity for construct
ing new buildings to add to the facilities
OF some of our State institutions, either
penal. charitable or EDUCATIONAL. hut, if
SO, the expenditure should be made ont
of the revenues already provided for un-
der existing laws.
If the recommendations | have made
with respect to the Sinking Fund levy
are adopted by the General Assembly,
the total levy for State purposes may be
reduced 10 1.o0 mills on the dollar.
General Ncvcnue Laws.
This policy OF the State to reliev., the
homes and farms of the people from tax
alton for State purposes. and to place
the burden upon these who enjoy special
privileges from the State. Is both wise
and just. and should not be disturbed.
1t should be carried still farther, so shat
ultimately no tax whatever is imposed
upon real or personal property for any
State need. The effect of this will be ia
completely distinguish the method en-
ploycd by the State in raising revenue for
Its support from that employed by the local
taxing authorities In raising revenue FOR
local purposes This policy accOmplislcs
two purposes: First, our citizens, who by
their thrift and Industry have acquir ed
their homes or farms. receive that consider
ntlOn to which they IRE entitled, while 9th
cr forips OF wealth are made to bear n
more Just proportion Of the expenses Of
government. Second. tho separation II
State from local taxes does away with the
Injustice resulting from inequalities IN the
methods Of valuation adopted n the va
rions taxing districts. and makes the taxing
authorities Of each locality accountable Ia
their own constituents alone for the ap.
prnlsemeht Of property taxed within Their
districts.
10 repeal nny Of the laws which have
nnde possible this relief of the owners a
homes and farms would nccessitatc eitht
the discovery Of new sources OF revenue oi
return TO the old method OF raising none \
for the support Of the state government
by levy upon real and personal propert.
cannot better close the discussion IL
this question than by using the words Oi
Governor In his last message to the Gen
erai Assembly: s,tr
"To abandon this policy and restore the
old, or to partially restore 1t. would be nat
only step backward, hut an act Of bed
fnith OH the part or the State toward hsI
citizens"
Inheritance Tax laws.
In llne with this policy OF relieving rel
and personal property from the burdens ii
taxation for Hiatc purposes have been flit
several inheritance tax laws passed by IA,
Ioyi.ia iaturns of 0hio I,riut, tho luaf In