The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1872-04-25
The Executive Contingent Fund
For vwhm4 Id vE@s MmGemded-
And how Id - being
MfSmaed.

For what Ia vT@s Hnfemded-
And how Id - being
3Hfsased.
As may have been supposed, the reve-
lation of the manner in which the Exc
eutive Contingent Fund is being misused
and squandered, has awakened general
Indignation and disgust. Our columns
to-day contain some expressions of the
press which reflect public opinion.
By what was deemed wise provision
for unforeseen emergencies, the Legisla-
ture placed at the disposal of the Gov
ernor six thousand dollars, to be expend-
ed at his discretion for the public benefit
in discharging the duties of the Execu-
tive office. The appropriation is in words
as follows:
The sum of six thousand dollars. or so
much thereof as may be necessary, is here
by annually appropriated for the contingent
expenses OF the Executive department, To be
paid on the order, and expended under the
direction, OF the Governor and accounted
for by him to the legislature. Chap. 3,
art. ,, sec. 8; Code of ISL.
The plain language of the law leaves
nothing to conjecture as to its meaning.
The appropriation is called a contingent
fund because it places at the disposal Of
the Governor sum of money TO be used
for objects which the Legislature could
not anticipate and foresee. For example,
the arrest of fugitive from justice; OF
the employment of force in an emergency
to suppress Instruction. The appropria-
ton is designed to empower the Govern
or to execute the constitutional provision
which requires him to take care that the
laws are enforced. The act expressly de
clares that the appropriation is for the
contingent expenses of the Executive
department" thus forbidding the idea
that the money is set apart for the per
sonal uses or household expenses of the
Governor. His salary is designed fol
that object. And in the present instance
it is enormous. 1t is as much rs the
Governor of New York, with her mil
lions of revenue, is paid. 1t is more
than the Governor of Pennsylvania gets
1t exceeds the salaries of nine-tenths o
the Governors of the wealthy and pros
porous States of the North. 1t is siH
thousand dollars in money, with house
recently furnished and repaired at a cos
to the taxpayers of s44, 900!
| In view of the above clear language
and unmistakable intent of the law, wha
is to be thought of the manner in which
this fund-which the Governor ought t.
have made it a point of honor to have
held sacred to the public uses intended
has been (and probably is still being)
misused and squandered? Bearing il
mind the language and intent of the law
let us review again some of the items OF
its expenditures
Repairs of Kitchen Utensils.
Linen, Table-cloths, etc.
Gas Light and Coal.
Spoons, Forks, etc.
Cutting Wood for Executive Mansion
(this item is charged by the Governor
Private Secretary who gets a salary Of
81, OOO.)
Glasses and Cutlery.
Tinware.
Repairing Linen.
f." Silverware, etc.
1t is to such objects as the above,
which clearly embrace the personal and
household expenses of the Executive
incumbent, that the fund which is set
apart for the purposes explained in the
law, have been diverted If that func-
tionary is authorized to tax the public
with the fuel which keeps him warm, or
cooks his meals, he has equal authority
to tax the public with his clothing, and
grocer's or apothecary's bills. There is
not a particle of difference in principle.
The proof is conclusive. A fund
which is appropriated for specific public
purposes has been diverted to private
uses by an Executive who is invincibly
aversed to giving effect to the Legislative
will to reduce his own salary. 1t is put
ting find point upon his conduct to say
that it betrays a morbid attachment to
perquisites.