Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1857-01-10

six per cent. Scrip authorized
aud sold in 1865. ............ 3COO7O 90
Five per cent scrp sold IN 1886. 70 600 90
Five per cent. Script hand
unsold but upon which money
has been advanced, for the
Western Lnnatic Hospital... l25OoO 90 Gil $40 co
Which shows the estimated amt
Of hoting debt at the close Of
1891 VIII $704 1897 90
From this balance is to be deducted the amount Of cash
which may be ia the Treasury the of December
81, 1886
The pleasing features of the picture thus
presented are, that in every branch of expen-
diture but two, considerable saving has been
effected in 1856, as compared with the
year previous, amounting in the aggregate 10
over $l56,O00; and that while the total ordi-
nary expenses Of 1865 exceeded the ordinary
receipts in the sum of $244, 1912, the aggre-
gate ordinary receipts of the past year exceed
the aggregate ordinary expenses by SIG, $40.
The two items of expense which are this year
increased, are " Legislative and Executive"
which is about $42, 900 larger. owing TO the
unprecedented length of the last session of the
Legislature, and the charge for Interest"
which is nearly $4I 900 in excess over that
Of the previous year, in consequence of our
added permanent and temporary loans The
excess of these two items being deducted,
there appears to be a net relative gain in the
balance of the last. as compared with the pre-
yious year, of over $28800O This gratifying
result has not been attained without constant
and praiseworthy efforts on the part of many
OF the officers of the Common wealth. and more
especially the ceaseless vigilance and frmness
OF the Auditor of Accounts, to whom the
State owes debt of obligation, which fully
merits my official recognition.
The most unpleasant features in this hnan-
cial survey, are the facts that our current ex-
penditures largely exceed our ordinary annual
income, and that Notwithstanding $500, 900
of our floating debt was funded by the action
OF the last Legislature, and thus passed into
our permanent loan, it will amount, at the
close Of this year, to 5000, 900.
1t is apparent, then, that our duty as states
men and Legislators demands that we shall
proceed to abolish every unnecessary or ques-
tionabe office, place new checks against use
less expenditure, and retrench the cost Of
every branch of the government, here ne
cessty or humanity does not forbid. hest
tate not to declare that deem it my impera.
tive duty to refuse the sanction of my sigma.
ture to any bill which eontemplales the I'M
necessary expenditure of money,
deem it also my duty,-though in some
respects an ungracious one,-to suggest Ger.
tain points wherein, in my Judgment, pecu-
made. Some of my positions may be errone-
Gus, some Of them may be contloyerted, but
my purpose has the sanction OF my judgment,
and l submit them to your consideration with
the conviction that your intelligent action
will produce desirable results. Neither do L
impute blame to any officer or any depart
ment, but simply suggest whether changes or
reforms may not be introduced without detri-
meut to the public interests
The first and greatest item wherein re.
trenchment and reform should be commenced,
is the legislative expenses. l have elsewhere
spoken Of the pending constitutional amend
ments, reducing the size OF the House OF Rep
resentatives, which, in economic view, is
OF paramount importance. Aside from the
per diem pay OF its members and officers,
however, great expenses are incurred by the
enormous and unnecessary length of the leg
islative sessions.
The payment of its members amounted in
iS1 to about. ................ 5000 900 90
And in addition a yerv considerable portion
OF the following sums accrued from its
Executive Council. $4,000 90
Fuel and Lights. T00 %
Stationary ..-'..,..-- .,......-., 800 90
newspapers. .................... $500 90
Daily Journal o. Proceedings..... 4,OOO 90
sostaSe.' l,6OO O0 - "a 500 90
Besides salaries of officers Printing and To-
dex and Journals amounting to probably. so 900 20
Being total of about s264, 900 90
My duty constrains me to say, thatif prop
er efforts are made to bring about short ses-
sion, III conformity to the desires of our citi-
Zens and the de nands OF our treasury, our leg
ls!Rtive expenses, and consequent y our State
tax, can be diminished this year $780, 900 in
amount.
l earnestly recommend the discontinuance
of the printed daily Journal of Proceedings, as
deem its utility not commensurate with its
cost.
renewedly suggest the abolition of the of.
ice OF Land Agent, and that it's comparatively
few duties be devolved upon the Treasurer.
The expenses in the office of the Secretary
of State have very much increased within a
few years, and am happy to be informed
that in his annual report that officer will an
nounce prospective reforms whereby saving
Of some $1,000 per annum can be made, or full
ly one third OF the expense of his depart.
ment.
The last Legislature amended the Act es-
tablishing the Board of Alien Commissioners,
by substituting in the place of member of
the Executive Council, Commissioner who
Should devote his whole time and attention
to its duties, and its powers were essentially
enlarged. l now advise that the Board of In.
spectors of the State Almshouses be abolished,
and that. the general powers conferred on them
be given to the Board Of Alien Commission
ers. The salaries received by the Inspectors
are small, but the amount of pay some Of them
draw from the treasury for various services
rendered, is, in the aggregate, quite consider
able. No person in the employ Of the State
should buy supplies OF himself for the Com
monwealth, or hire his own labor to it as a
contractor or superintendent. Moreover, the
interests of the institutions will be subserved
IN myjudgment, by the supervision of CEN
trail board, cognizant Of the condition and op.
eratons of each of the Others better than bya
local one familiar alone with his own. Es-
pecaly would l recommend that the Board
OF Alien Commissioners be invested with the
duty OF visiting the various institutions 10 as
certain whether superhuous officers are en-
ployed, or disproportionate salaries paid, with
authority to correct the evil or to report 10 the
Governor and Council.
advise farther, that all supplies of food,
clothing, stock, implements, fuel and ether
articles, be procured hereafter in all in.
stances by public advertisement for sealed
proposals from the lowest bidder, subject to
suitable and proper restrictions, in the same
manner as the general government obtain
their naval and army supplies. This enact
ment might extend to the four State Aims
houses, the three Lunatic Hospitals the State
Prison, the Reform School for Boys, and the
Industrial School for Girls, either under the
direction OF competent board for the whole,
or OF the Trustees of each institution for il.
self, as the wisdom OF the Legislature may
deem proper.
| also recommend that the earn Of tbn pnh