The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-12-07

INT has mot been eonpleted for the
four year period Intended 70 be COW
erred. Thework itself requires an ex-
laninat lon o. eyeEy pa ment q every;
claim and % every youche as vel
las the checking up and deter =! ming
whether thes mounts paid into the
state treasury from different sources
are the correct amounts. Mr.. Dover
has; however sufficiently completed
his work for the last fiscal year to
show in detail the income Of the state
from all sources, and the expendt-
lures of the state for all purposes
His report embracing this part Of the
work will make something like three
hundred pages OF typewriting, and
will show in detail all the expendi-
lures, to whom and for what purpos.
es, SO that the taxpayers can know
where every dollar has gone and the.
purposes for which It has been spent.
The examination and audit will give
Ito the people the exact financial CON
dition OF the state as Of June 80. last.
! 1t will disclose that there was a de.
felt in the state fund of approximate
~ $350,0o0 at the close of business,
for the fiscal year ending June 30,
1914.
The audit further discloses that UNI
less the legislature provides addition
al revenue available during the pres.
ent fiscal year, there will be deficit
IN the state fund at the end Of the
present fiscal year, June 80, 1915, oil
approximately $625,000. There will be
such deficit, even when the expendi-
lures are limited to payments of the
states ordinary running expenses and
to payments on buildings and I'M
provements already under construc'
ton.
The audit further discloses that If
the present administration had at
tempted to expend the appropriation
as made by the last Legislature for
the running Of the state government
and for new buildings and improve
ments, there would be deficit OF ST.
500, 600 at the end of the present fsca!
year, June 80, 1915. This will an
swer any criticism OF Governor Hat
fields administration in the policy
Of retrenchment along different lines.
Such policy OF retrenchment makes
the deficit 100000 less, in round
numbers, than 1t otherwise would be
on the Both Of June next.
The result Of the audit should i'm
press upon and bring to the minds
OF the members of the Legislature and
taxpayers as well, at least two things:
First, economy and retrenchment in
expenditures, wherever retrenchment
can be had without impairing the eff
cheney of the public service; and, sec
ond, the means and methods Of rails
Ing the required revenue. The situa-
ton as disclosed by the audit should
be carefully and candidly discussed
and considered by the people of the
state, and particularly by the mem
bers of the legislature before the leg
stature convenes, SO that the mem
ers may ascertain and know the sentl-
menti of their constituents and FORM
ulate in their own minds plans for
the meeting OF the conditions disclos-
ed y the audit.
The state has been, and is, conduct
ing its usiness on less revenue than
other states Of equal resources; and
the further fact is that this is the
first time such examination and audit
Of the state has been made. While not
certain, yet it is my impression that
this is the first state to be subjected
to strict and thorough examination
and audit, in detail, of Its financial
affairs and standing.
Mr.. Dover's audit will be completed
about the middle of this month, and
upon completion will be filed.