vi REPORT OF THE COMPTROLLER OF THE TREASURY

the running expenses of the State government, such as appropri-
atons to State and private institutions, governmental expenses,
etc., amounting to $2,763,912.16, showing a small increase over
the years previous. For comparison I beg to submit the follow-
ing, showing this revenue for the past three years:

1913..................... ...... . . $2,637,107 3$

1914................... .. .... ..... 2,671,79545

1915.............. ........... ...... 2,798,706 36

In my report, to the Legislature of 1914, I gave this informa-
tion for the years 1911 and 1913. in a statement therein given, in
these words -.

"I wish to submit the following statement, which will make
the matter so plain that the figures will speak for themselves."
The conclusion reached by me then has most strongly been con-
firmed by the events of the past two years. Permit me to quote
therefrom:

"Hence it is clearly demonstrated that while our ordinary rev-
enues have increased in some particulars and decreased in others,
they are practically the same as two years ago. How therefore,
can the State provide for the increased appropriations already
made and the demands now being so seriously advocated? A
few years ago the Treasury was able not only to meet all its obli-
gations in the running expenses thereof, but at the close of the
Fiscal Year over and above its expenses to care for its loans,
thereby relieving the taxpayer of this burden ; hence the low tax
rate for 1907 and 1908, but that time has passed and we are con-
fronted with the very serious condition of our revenues not be-
ing sufficient for our necessities. Had it not been for the very
free used of the Executive veto by the present Governor and Ms
immediate predecessor, our financial condition today would be
far from comfortable. Of course this in no manner affects our
bonded obligations or the revenues to the public schools, since
they are cared for by direct taxation, but it has a very serious
tearing upon the appropriations that shall come before your
honorable bodies. Tn the natural growth of affairs the State has
been compelled to meet those necessities and we are recognizing
more and more the duty the State owes to its dependent insane,
feeble-minded,the poor and unfortunate in our hospitals and asy-
lums, as well as the education of our boys and girls. We are