The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-12-19
..rs1E REFORM SCHOOL,

In writing, Tuesday, in reference to an |
'it is to be presumed of the Free Press, to |
the effect that the trustees of the Vermont
reform school, including the governor,
would "take the responsibility" of rebuild
ing the reform school building with the
money OF the state, without an appropria-
ton therefor, we urged, and we think
proved, that if they should 50 take he re-
sponsibilty,' they would, one aul all,
tlample under foot the constitution and
laws of the state and break down the safe
guards thrown around the treasury for the
protection of the taxpayers of the state. In
the course Of orr argument, we said and
we now repeat it, rs both law and fact,
that provision was made by the general
statutes for the repairs Of jas at an cX-
pense not exceeding three hundred dollars
per annum, while the "act to establish the
Vermont Reform School" does not author
izc the expenditure of q single dollar for
repairs. Whercupon the Free Press, either
through profound ignorance or because it
is nettled at having one of its "presump-
tions" exposed, after general allusion TO
the article, comments as follows:
In fact, it shows, to its own satisfaction,
at least, that the trustees had no authority
even to repair the building So that if it
had been a pane of glass that had got
broken instead of the whole building de-
stroycd, the trustees could not have re-
placed the broken glass at the expense of
the state, without an extra session of the
legislature. AS, however, the trustees
would probably have taken the responsible
ity of making absolutely necessary repairs,
even without express provision in the stat
ute, so it is possible that they and the gov
ernor may take the responsibility of re-
building the school.
1t seems TO be our lot to cndcayor to en-
tighten the ignorant, and, however hard
the task may he in this instance, we cheer
fully accept the mission, trusting that if
the Free Press cannot comprehend the
matter, everyone else can. Strange as it
may seem, we did not say one word in
reference to the matter stated by the Free
Press or even convey such an idea. Our
simple statement-wo mean the one refer
red to--was that the - act to establish the
Vermont reform school does not authorize
the expenditure of a single dollar for re-
pairs! which statement is, as we have
said, not only fact but law. We will now
go further and say, that tho trustees have
not the authority to expend even a sufficient
sum of money to fireplace brokcnsglass at
the expense of the state" unless there is an
appropriation from which The money can
he drawn. But this is not saying that such
an expenditure could not be made with
out m extra session Of the legislature. "
Far from it, and the Free Press and its
iitor ought to know that we did not say
so, did not SO intend, and that, in law and
fact, no repairs can be made lat the ex-
pense Of the state" unless the money is ap-
propIialel by the legislature and thus
placed at the disposal of the trustees. The
editor of the Free Press was u m .mber of
the Vermont state senate in 1869 and 1870
and should have familiarized himself with
the course of legislation and, especially
with the laws passed at those sessions, ever
If his mind was Il blank relative to the
laws before and since that time. If he hat
so done, he would not have been guilty o
the gross error into which he ha
fallen He would further have seer
that appropriations for these purposes wcr,
always made in advance. IF lie will turn
to the laws Of 1869, he will find IAN &C
making provision for the support Of gov
ernmcnt,' containing this clause "a sun
/" not exceeding ten thousand dollars is ap
propriated TO pay the expenses of tn
Vermont Reform School to be allowed,
ETC., and paid etc. on presenting prope
+" vouchers for the amount Of expenses in
- Cured" So in 1870 "a sum not exceed
ing thirty thousand dollars" was "appro
priatcd' in similar language. So it ha
been ever since down to and includin
1874, when " a sum not exceeding forty
Ave thousand dollars was appropriated
to DO allowed and paid in the same name
and only on vouchers. How about "extr