5

charitable institutions of the State, which are not
included in the expenses for said last named year,
the ordinary expenses of the State government for
the fiscal year just closed, are nearly forty thou-
sand dollars less than they were for the fiscal year
1886. Such a comparison shows, that the expen-
ses of our State, aside from the appropriations
made by the Legislature to the cause of charity
have not increased, but on the contrary have been
reduced, when compared with the expenditures of the
fiscal year 1886. I mention these facts that you may
see at a glance, not only that the ordinary expenses
of the government vary but little, comparing one year
with another, but that an economical or extravagant
administration of public affairs depends almost
entirely upon the pleasure of the Legislature.

ESTIMATES.

The probable receipts for the fiscal year 1888, as shown
by statement C, of the appendix, amount to $1,933,648.34.

This estimate does not include any probable receipts
from the Susquehanna and Tide-water Canal Com-
panies of which I speak elsewhere. Should they make
payment the receipts for 1888 would be very probably
over two millions of dollars. But omitting this item
we will have in the treasury—if our estimates be
correct—with the balance on hand 30th September,

1887. for the use of the State during the fiscal year

1888. the sum of $2,615,671.54.

Statement D, shows in detail that the probable dis-
bursements for same period will amount to $1,770,851.40,
which, if correct, will leave a. balance in the treasury
30th September, 1888, of $844,820.14.

FREE SCHOOL FUND.

The receipts on account of the Free School Fund for
the fiscal year 1887, amounted to $68,434.57 which,
added to the balance on 30th September, 1886, makes