The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1906-03-02
Order Brought Out Of Chaos at
Conference Yesterday.
STATE OFFICIALS MINDS At EASE
Money Is To Forthcoming for the la
stitutions, and All 10
Lovely Now.

st. Paul, Feb. 2S.-The necessity for
a special session of the legislature, to
provide funds for the state institutions,
deprived of 100000 in standing appro-
priations through an error in the revis-
ed statutes, has been averted. Means
were found yesterday for supplying
funds to pay the running expenses of the
institutions up to January, when the
next regular session convenes.
Until late yesterday it was not def
nitely known that the special session
could be avoided. The solution of the
difficulty lay in the construction of the
law by the attorney generals depart
ment, regulating the inviolability of ap-
preparations; and in the estimate of
funds and expenses prepared by the
board of control
Afer conference yesterday after
noon, at which the governor, treasurer,
auditor and members of the attorney
generals staff were present, it was an
nounced that legal precedent had been
found to authorize the auditor to pay
out of standing appropriations up to
July 81, the close of the present fiscal
year. By anticipating the additional
current expense" appropriations, for the
year beginning Aug. l, and by using the
entire amount, if necessary, to carry the
institutions from Aug. to Jan. l, it is
believed that ample funds will be at
hand for all needs.
The revised statutes go into effect to-
morrow, March l. At that time the
standing appropriations for 10 state in
stitutions, amounting in the aggregate
to 100000, and which have been car
ried on the statute books since 1889,
cease to exist. After two days. consul
tation over the matter, it was dstermin-
ed yesterday that the appropriations for
the current fiscal year will stand until
its close, July 81.
Acting on the supposition, the auditor
will continue to draw warrants against
the, standing appropriations as long as
they hold out. After July 81, there will
be standing appropriations, but the in
stitutions can continue on the addition
al appropriations made by the last leg
islature.
The board of control submitted care
fully prepared estimate to the executive
officers yesterday. 1t was shown that
thus far the additional expense appro-
priations have hardly been touched, and
that practically the entire appropriation
of the 1905 legislature, for the fiscal
year ending July 81, 1906, is still avail
able. Aug. l the appropriations of the
last legislature for the next fiscal year
will be obtainable, and by using the en-
tire amount, if necessary, the balance
of the calendar year can be bridged
over.
The boards estimate shows that there
is now a balance, in funds available
during the present fiscal year, of $751;
3OO.s4. The estimated expense of run
ming the institutions up to July 81 is
$46l ,223.44, leaving a balance on hand
at that time of $4,000.
The next years additional appropria-
tions, amounting to $643,OOO, will then
be available. Receipts from state insti-
buttons are estimated at $44,ll0, and
with the balance of July 81, fund of
$Sl7 ,l77.40 is anticipated. The esti-
mated cost of maintenance for August,
September, October, and November is
$435,7l0, leaving 1891, 467 40 to provide
for increase in cost of maintenance, un-
expected expenses, and for December ex-
penses, many of which will not be paid
until the following January.
Under this estimate the board be-
lieves it is safe until the next regular
legislative session. Auditor Iverson and
Treasurer Block went over the figures
carefully, and agreed that the finances
of the institutions appeared to be sat-
isfactory under this arrangement.
Governor Johnson declared last night
that the extra session had been averted.
and that the institutions were well TAX
EN- care of for the next ten months.
The past two days have been full of
excitement for state officials and en-
ployes, and have resulted in a general
stir in state and legal circles. For "a
hours it was fully believed in many
quarters that an extra legislative ses-
sion would be necessary to clear the tan
gle.
There are many who believe that
other errors will be found in the new
code which will still further enliven af-
fairs.
w. P. Roberts of Minneapolis, chair
man of the house appropriation commit
tee. was called into conference Monday,