The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1860-02-15
A MODERN TRAVELLER.

State Auditors for 1869. 1t is precious
document. 1t shows that the Auditors
have assumed entire supervision over the
moneys in the treasury and that they have
appropriated them to every conceivable
object. The gross amount paid out on
their appropriations during the year is
$57,575 Al! They have not hesitated
to make appropriations to meet defcien-
cies in the appropriations by the Legisla-
ture. For example, on page IL we find
this item: State Treasurer amount
paid Legislature over the amount appro-
priated, $2,370 40" Why should the
Legislature have made any appropriations
for their own pay and expenses if the
Auditors may make appropriations for
those purposes? But we shall not now OK
anime this part Of the action of the Aud
itors, inasmuch as we design soon to take
up the question of their creation as
Board, examine their authority, and show
that the constitution does not warrant the
exercise by them of the extraordinary and
dangerous powers which they have as
sumed as belonging to them.
And we propose to analyze the appro-
priations made by them, and show how
scandalously extravaganza many of them
are. But we must do this by Install
ments, suggesting that better campaign
document cannot be thrown out 10 the
people by the democrats than reprint Of
this report, verJatim ct Hteratin', without
note or comment.
We must content ourselves to-day with
admiring the exploits of a modern travel
err as they appear from the pages of this
report. Our hero is the veritable John
Mckinney, State Treasurer. Of his first
exploit the report speaks thus:
"John Mckinney, expenses to Wiscon-
sin on State business. $40 So"
What business the State could have
had with Wisconsin which required the
Treasurer to journey thither is to us wholly
a mystery.
The report next chronicles his move
ments in the following words and figures,
to witt
"John Mckinney, expenses to Mont
pelier, Boston, and other places, to exam
Inc buildings preparatory TO a plan for a
new capitol, under act No. ia of Legis-
lature, 1857, and for procuring Autographs
of capitol buildings, 1886 co."
The only authority in this regard con-
tanned in the act mentioned is in these
words: "The Board of State Auditors
are hereby authorized to procure plans,
drawings and estimates for a State CAPT
tol, TO be submitted to the Legislature Of
eighteen hundred and fifty-nine." The
obvious and plain meaning of this Ian.
guage is, that the Auditors should pro-
cure from competent architects, "plans
, drawings and estimates for q State CAPT.
toll" 1t does not mean that a person
who knows no more than horse about
{ architecture should travel over the coun.
try at the expense of the State, ostensi.
, bly, to "examine buildings, preparatory
to plan for n new capitol" The law
, conferred no such privilege on the State
: Treasurer, and the Auditors, of whom he
: is one, in paying him for such pretended
service were guilty Of an evasion of the
D law and of fraud upon the treasury
The idea Of the Treasurer having visited
| Montpelier seems ludicrous when it is
5 remembered that the capitol of Vermont
: was destroyed by fire shortly prior to the
date of his alleged visit.
But it would seem that the Treasurer
was not satisfied with his exploration.
; thus far. Like the ancient hero, he want
, ed to conquer more worlds. See report
t page 2:
: "John Mckinney, expenses TO Indians
, and Ohio, for like purposes, $45 co."
, The Auditors did fulfill the real intent
Of the law, rs appears upon page o
their report and this fact makes the pay
mcnts to John Mckinney the moro scan
dalous:
an. Elder, drafting State capitol, and
framing do, 1925 co."
So altogether, the amount taken from
the treasury on account of prospective
new capitol-for which the Legislature
: of 1859 made no appropriation, and which
, will not be commenced for years to come
) has been 1904 90 and this while the
: State was obliged to resort TO a loan fol
: purposes of ordinary expenditure.
The Treasurer soon tired of Lansing
came to Detroit for few DAYS. SEE
, page O.:
"John Mckinney, expenses to Detroit
, for State, $12 co."
| We trust he returned refreshed. We
, fear he did not, however, for shortly h,
came again. See page 10:
estate Treasurer, expenses TO Detroit
on business for State, $l3 co."
And again, page rs:
"John Mckinney, expenses to Detroit
5 on State business, $l4 So"
Occasionally friend Of the Treasurer