The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-01-15
SATURDAY, JANUARY Is, 1916.
A REVEALING STATE AUDIT.

Ihe report Of the State audit is al interesting statement of the
nanci ondihon Of the State, a complete account of the income
and outgof or the past fiscal year. 1t is the first time such a detailed state
ment Of the expenditures and revenues Of the State has been made. being
the frsta annual audit provided for by the legislature in pursuance of the
program Of the present progressive State administration. It is IN of the
most statesmenlike measure enacted by the Republican party. or being
a yearly event IT will for the first time furnish the basis for the construction
of a thoroughly scientific budget in which the relation of proposed arprop
rauons to expected revenues can always be definitely determined.
The most Illuminating feature of the present audit IL the Confederation
II gives to the position Of the Governor in his contention with the Auditor and
ne Auorne enera who joined forces with the Democrauc and other opposi
ion in he last legislature IS to the imperative requirements of the State
goVernmen for increased revenues. The deficits are clearly explained in
this audit and completely indicate the statements of Governor Hatfield
In showing tina increased taxation a needed to fl. the void caused by the
Withdrawal Of the liquor license axe and the extraordinary charges imposed
for military service tn suppressng strike disorders. The audit further shows
that had rot the Governor exercised his constitutional right and vetoed over
100000 OF appropriations made by the regular session of the 1915 Legislature
and later called the legislature in second extraordinary session for the pr
pose Of raising additional revenues, and the State had continued to provide
ir all Z" Ter institutions and departments together with the Q buildings
repairs and improvements that will be made during the next two years a
deficit Of more than S2o0oOoo would exist July l. 1917. instead Of the sur
plus that will then be OF hand.
A great deal has been said about the "extravagance OF the Hatfield ad
minisraton' and the waste of money OF unnecessary employees. No more
comprehensive refutadon OF this partisan charge will be found than reference
to an analysis of the disbursements II the State for all purposes and the
percentage OF IN total amount expended OF the aggregate expended amount
ing to $S7f125251. ending June 30. 1915. from appropriations. 429 Del cent
as expended for educational purposes; for hospital purposes 1888 per cent
when cuc te humane institutions and the miners hospitals The dis
bursements for these two purposes constitute over half expended for all otbe,
purposes " nearly So per cen Of the total How does this COMFORT wir the
reckless and unsrounded accusations Of waste and extravaeance" Espe
ciaHy when in comparison it is shown that the amount discussed for all apI
pontve offices, which includes commissions and boards. vas only 9@9i
per cent OF The total amount expended. 1t only needs a little light like this
to be thrown Of the dark insnuatons that have emanated from quarters
mmical TO GoveFno Hatfield and from persons antagonisuc TO him. to expose
their baseRss character
The cry Of burdensome taxation has gone out from the Democratic press
but Il Is shown in this audit that there has been n 10 extravaeance in evu.ndi
ture o the peoples money. Il is evident. however. that those who bave ex
plotted the wealth Of the State have escaped paying their share Il the tax
burden. which would Nd: have been so large had the spedal and nrotected
interests been required to shoulder their just portion Of hat burden Btl
Nuhou considering these neqWies in what respect are people Of West
Virginia overtaNed when the per capita does lot exceed $3.50 This is not
a onerous ratew when it is shown that it IS onehaf and in some cases one
third Of the per capita IF other States in the Union OF like wealth and
population compared with West Virginia.