The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-01-13
Showing Expenditures of Every
Department OF the State
Government and So On.

ana every other DIT OF infOrmnuon
relating to income and outgo OF the
revenues Of the state OF West Viz
ginia. has been completed and today
the first volume came from the press.
The audit was compiled by Everett
A. Dover, chief accountant, and is
sued by the department OF the state
lax commissioner, Fred o. Blue. II
Is issued under the provisions uf
chapter 4 OF the acts of the leglsla-
ture Of 1915, a brief act OF four short
sections. but It is one of the most
important Of the many statesmanlike
measures enacted by the West Viz
glnia legislature OF last winter In
pursuance of the program OF the
present state administration.
This is the first time citizen Of
West Virginia has had put into his
hands book from which he can
readily ascertain just how much
money is gathered by the state from
variouA sources OF revenue and just
what is done with every dollar o.
that money. For the first time men,
bers OF the legislature will be able
to familiariZe themselves in advance
Of any regular or special session with
the financial condition and needs o.
each department of the state govern
ment and each one of the states
growing institutions. For the first
time 1t is possible to find in single
volume the name Of every employe
on the states payrolls. and to deter
mine exactly how much he receives
for the service rendered. This audit
is to be yearly event, and 1t Will
furnish the basis for the construction
of a thoroughly scientific budget in
which the relation OF proposed ap-
preparations to expected revenues can
always be definitely determined.
One OF the features of the audit is
the fact that the complete statement
of the chief accountant vindicates the
position taken by Governor Hatfield
in regard to the need Of additional
revenues to carry on the exepndl-
lures OF the state government, ana
shows conclusively the fact that had
not additional revenues been pro-
vided for by the Legislature the state
would have been absolutely unable
to meet its current obligations.
The purpose of the audit. made in
conformity with the new law. Is set
forth In the opening paragraphs oil
the preface to Mr.. Dover's report, as
follows:
1.-THE citizen recognizes his duty to
contribute his proper share Of taxes
to maintain government; he expects.
however, and has the right to expect
that public funds shall be properly
used and duly accounted for by those
entrusted with the Management and
expenditures thereof. His willing
ness to contribute to the mainten-
ance OF government Is largely pro
portioned to his confidence in those
entrusted with the management and
expenditures OF the states revenue
1t is the duty Of the citizen to inform
himself respecting the management
and expenditure Of the public funds
as well as his duty to contribute to
the states revenue. Such action on
the part of the citizen tends to pre-
vent abuses in the management and
expenditures of the states revenue
at is believed that the require
ment is upon those entrusted with
the management and expenditure oil
public funds, in a suitable way and
at proper intervals, to give the citi-
zens, in as convenient form as prac-
ticable, report Of the management
and expenditure OF the public funds.
Recognition OF this requirement, and
compliance Herewith, tends to pre-
vent extravaganza and carelessness
on the part of those entrusted with
the management and expenditure Of
public funds"
The adult Is printed in book OF
391 pages, of which the first twenty
five pages are devoted to certain rec
concentrations by the tax commits
sioner and to lucid statement OF the
relation of the various funds by the
chief accountant with summary
showing the exact condition OF those
funds at different dates, and the re-
lation of income to expenditures IN
each OF them.
Discussing the deficit over which
tho controversy RACED during the last
session Of the legislature and the op-
Grafton of the means taken to cure
that deficit The chief accountant dis
courses Interestingly as follows:
Based upon the best information
obtainable for estimating conditions
two Years in advance 1t will not be
necessary to levy fourteen cents next
wear G1916) in order to provide suf-
f,ciant revenue for the year ending
lime Al 1917. but the, 1915 levy
ouno 90 =. IT. .o,,o,,n.