The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-12-02

Assembly with fuel and stationery, to be
paid for by" an appropriation from tht
phosphate royalties, it is obvious that the
appropriations for contingent expenses
to be madelby the general appropriation
Act of the present year should be greatly
fedueed:>s-.--.,, .---,..,''---,.
LEGISLATIVE EXPENSES.
T have already presented the favorable
contrast between the appropriateness the
lastyear for legislative expenses and those
of former years. The pay Of members Of
the. General Assembly being provided
for by an annual salary and mileage, the
amount of money necessary for this pur.
pose is determinate. The other items OF
Legislative expenses are the pay of, the
subordinate officers and attaches, and
the contingent accounts. The amount
of these items will depend chiefly on the
length of the session, and thus will afford
full opportunity for the exercise Of econ
omy. With session ofi;from, thirty to
fifty days in length the entire amount OF
the appropriation necessary for legisla-
tive expenses for the present year can be
brought within $I2O, 900. The. item Of
contingent legislative expenses will be
nearlyelininated jsbyi the provision al
ready made for fuel and stationery. -
,cImost earnestly urge upon your hon.
orable bodies the propriety, in every
view of the matter, Of as brief Q session
as can be made compatible with the enact
ment of the necessary measures .of, !egls-
lation. Such a result, would be of meal.
culable benefit to our State, not only in
reducing the expenses Of the Legislative
department, but in the wholesome and
lorig needed example it would furnish.
But there is one measure OF Legislative
reform which I urge at this time as more
vital and important than all others. ]
mean, the mode of auditing and paying
legislative expenses and claims passed by
tie General Assembly In my Inaugu:
raj Address, one year ago, ] presented
my. views upon this point; ;and ] can do
little more st the present time than TO
reiterate them; sndtto add that my pres
ent; greater familiarity with the subject
increases my conviction Of their correct
ness. 49, 80 :" a..;;7.- i,
!. It is a proposition, which, NO one can
dispute that q permanent, public, acces-
sibfe record should be-: kept of the dis
bmsement OF. every. dollar Of, the. public
funds. It's equally undeniable that all
accounts calling for the expenditure Of
public funds should be audited by. some
officer, who, is officially responsible for
the performance of this duty.. ,.y.
The present method of payment of
legislative accounts does not omeet these
reouirements of good administration. ]
therefore repeat my former recommenf
dation, that all payments to- be made
on. account of Legislative. expenses, or
claims passed by the General Assembly,
beimade DIV the State Treasurer, upon
walrents. drawn by the Comptroller Gem
era!, for which the vouchers shall be
fled with the Comptroller General" 49,. 49,.
In the paymant of, members, subor-
dimate officers; attachees, &C.. the ionly
voucher requisite would be duly ,cerh-
fed list of all persons who hold these
positions. The Comptroller General
having satisfied himself of the correct
ness of the. lists furnished by the ofhcers
of the General Assembly .and the
authority of law. for their payment,
would thenldraw. his warrant l-on the
Treasurer for the proper sums Of money.
In the paymentof contingent expenses
each branch. Of the General Assembly
would, by committee or otherwise; make
such audit, as might be deemed necessary
of such, accounts and order thelr pay
ments. The' VoucneIS mus accepteo ~
the General Assembly would be sent to
the Office Of the Comptroller General,
and there remain permanently exposed
to the scrutiny OF the; public, and pay
ment you'd be MADE % Only on ON 1ae ~Ar-
fa9Got ths sie eose I Claims - nassed bv the
eene,a3. NJ Assembly. .thesoririnal accounts
~ snu.i a~ch claims and the eerti6cates for
ths;r - S poSnsnt iss,,esd Nv tI1r officers of
AZ tEsif cppSsral ps | Assembly sfonif liEewiise
~, ~ ,S1sJ % ,u;th tha Gomntrniler General
os w nns,chers I n that officer forsthe isgue Of
worron NJ nts = Tn; this, Connection Il NAV
state that / have personal knowledge that
in one,instance, at least, q certificate for
the payment, ,of q claim passed by the
General. Assembly vas lsseso az tne iSss .ls
session, and Poth this ,sI 9 certinSate an9 tns e
original clam were lelt IN sne aanSs e!1s;, oi
the person VINO Preseneeo JUG Seaiu. y.
Both these demands, the ciaihl cerHncate
and the original clam, we're layaDle. oy
the Treasurer wlthont. mrner: e1amna, ma
aonr and thus. thus demand IL mgas nave Ia =
been. tWlce paia. Wlthout Iauit Oh Inc pafs
OF the treasurer: 80. ~, .on.dar
l!nst .nsse cons,eefs.loIs .uoS T 1an;a,at;on I
cerFaia !ne aaop.lon p:i; Gi sso.a S az y,ro,,st
sap~n;;t;as upoa ts suHs s:: = - .1s"fA; % - ~ SF..
"f.i.' .,,,,7 i, DID ,4s.lr.,n,, l.,;; - 3l.:
s., -. - - T.: W S.t:.1i ~, ua,,,ood
The PUBIC prinung mas. 3fsh feuuS.I ai
during the Past .GyN year rom !ns r. a4haa, husa
average OF Slol, ,zVs.S9 ouling . ne 40 Sulee nm
Preceding years, to tne sum OF sV,VS
pcrsye . FIhB Drancn' OF pupnc ."ofk
should. hereafter 3e; e;fhfoWnt open 70 the
loves; bidder, under !suca regmanoas ~ ~
will secure tar ana genuine, comPetltlen
and the faithful performance OF the pro-
posals. thus received. .,,,1 >.