Harness, etc.

Plants, trees and seeds

Fencing, etc..

We have thus explained in a brief way the character of the expenses known as "ordinary." It will be seen that the method of estimating ordinary expenses adopted by us is simple, and that the estimate, if carefully made, must be accurate. The expenses of all the institutions are brought to a uniform analysis, the record of several years past examined, and the probabilities as to the future calculated. If our calculations are at fault, the representatives of the institutions and the members of the general assembly have in their own hands the means of correcting them.

Our estimate on page 29, is, it will be observed, an estimate of the ordinary expenses. But the entire expense of running the institutions is not met from the state treasury; they have, as explained on page 20, a petit income from other sources, which to that extent reduces the amount necessary to be appropriated by the general assembly. In the following table, the first four columns show the amount of this income for each of the last four years, and the fifth is an estimate of its amount for each of the two years to come.

By deducting these amounts respectively from the estimated expenses, we arrive at the estimated cost to the state..

For the year commencing July 1, 1879, (the first of the two years for which appropriations are made), a further deduction is possible, on account of the large surplus which will certainly be in the possession of some of the institutions at that date. The total surplus on the first of last October, (see p. 23), was $92,478 10; on the first of next July it will not be less, and may be even greater. In the case of five institutions it nearly or quite equalled the amount required for the expense of a quarter year. Admitting that unforeseen contingencies may reduce this surplus, in the next nine months, we yet think it safe to estimate that these five inscitutions, namely, the southern insane hospital, the institution for the blind, the asylum for feeble-minded, the soldiers' orphans' home and the state reform school, will have on hand, July 1, 1879, at least seventy-five per cent. of the surplus reported at the close of the fiscal year. If we are correct in this opinion, it will be possible to reduce the appropriations for 1879 at least fifty thousand dollars below those required for 1880. It is proper also to call attention to the fact that several of the institutions have this year an unusually large amount of outstanding assets in the form

of uncollected accounts, which will be available before the date named. If the financial pressure of the times were less stringent, we might not find it necessary to estimate so closely. But with the decline in values which now occupies the thoughts of all business men throughout the United States, it is of imperative necessity that the expenses of the institutions should also be brought down to a coin basis; and this we are endeavoring to accomplish as rapidly as possible, without injury to the interests represented.

The final result of these calculations, which have now been spread before the legislature with great minuteness of detail, is that it will be necessary to appropriate, for the ordinary expenses, only, of the state institutions, for two years, from July 1, 1879, the aggregate sum of $1,050,000, of which $497,000 is for the expenses of the year 187980, and $553,000 for the expenses of the year 1880-81.

The sum recommended by us may be compared first with the amount appropriated by the 30th general assembly for similar purposes for 1877-79, viz.: $1,045,636 50. But we anticipate an increase of one-fourth in the number of inmates cared for.

It may also be compared with the amount asked by the institutions themselves, which is $1,189,500. We propose to cut their requests down $145,500.

The average number of inmates during 1877-78 has been two thousand, two hundred and eighty. We estimate the average number during 1879-80, at two thousand, eight hundred and fifty-five. The amount appropriated by the last general assembly, therefore, for ordinary expenses, was equivalent to $200 85 annually for each inmate. The amount recommended by us is equivalent to $183 88 for each inmate. The actual expense, during the past two years, has been $2-7 98 per capita; we estimate the actual expense for the next two years at $209 10. But the excess of cost over the amount appropriated will be met out of the surplus now on hand and from the petit income.

We present, on the following page, a table exhibiting, in condensed form, all the figures which enter ir to the foregoing calculation.

SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS.

The last general assembly appropriated $487,639 10 for specific uses, as follows.

For repairs, $5,000 per annum

improvements of grounds, $1,000 per annum. finishing road from Anna.

66

66

$10,000 00

2,000 00

2,500 00

1,000 00

400 00

3,500 00

1,800 00

1,000 00

2,500 00

$24,700 00