Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-12-16
'>cac Illegal Appropriations.

'>cnlc Illegal Appropriations.
1t has been matter OF so much
surprise as to have elected news
raper comment that out Of total
Of $50 bills introduced at the late
session of the Assembly, not one
owes It's defeat to the Governor veto.
The amount of legislation perfected
was probably double that Of any pre-
vious session, still former legisla-
lures, with ample time TO. consider
alton of all measures brought before
them, have not been SO fortunate as
to escape errors which required the
intervention of the Executive author
ity to prevent q conflict with the
fundamental law. 1t must he as
sumed that we have just been
favored with u remarkably wise set
of law makers, or that the Executive
has been remiss or inefficient in the
discharge of duty. Some acts of
the Governor which have already been
the subject Of review in these col
umhs, would indicate that the latter
presumption IS true, even were it
not supported by indubitable evil
dence of want of capacity on part
of the Legislature, as is shown by
the best means of forming q correct
judgment, their own acts.
That the Governor fully realized
the responsibility of his position as
head of the coordinate and CO.
operative branch of the Territorial
government, representing the United
States" we are assured by his spe-
cial message, dated October 20, in
which he is "impelled by strong
sense of official responsibility and
authority to maintain the prerogative
of Territorial Executive to partici-
pate in the coordinate exercise of
Legislative power to prevent the
payment of public moneys without
law and the appearance upon our
statute books of enactments which
are neither parliamentary, legal or
constitutional. After this broad
avowal of purpose to "prevent the
payment of public moneys without
law" at an early period in the ses-
sion, every citizen and taxpayer
feels some interest in ascertaiLipg
the causes which led 10 the adoption
of different policy before the close
of tue term. These can probably
best he understood from q close study
of the motives which ordinarily con-
troll men under similar circumstances.
As showing that the Governor
did not do his acknowledged duty
in this special matter of illegal ap-
preparations of public money, we
have but to quote few plain pro
visions of law and cite the Govern
or's action with reference to the
many bills which were in direc
violation of it. An act passed a.
the second session of the 45th Con
gress, approved June 10, 1878, pro
vides:
That the subordinate officers of eacl
branch of the Legislative Assembly shall
consist of one Chief Clerk, who shall re
ceive compensation of six dollars pc
day; one Enrolling and Enerossini
Clerk, at five dollars per day one Ser
geant-at-arms and Doorkeeper, at fiv
Waterman at four dollars per day; ant
one Chaplain, at one dollar and fifty cent
per day. Said sums shall be paid onl.
during the sessions of the said Legisla
lures; and no greater number of officer
and charges per diem shall be paid or al
lowed by the United States.
This provision, taken in connec
ton with Section 1856 of the Re
vised Statutes, seems to admit o
but one construction, and that erect
an insuperable barrier TO IN increas
of the number or the pay of subol
dinate officers of the Legislativ
Assembly. The section reads:
No law of any Territorial Legislator
shall be made or enforced by which til
Governor or Secretary of q Territory, c
the members or officers OF any Territoria
Legislature, are paid any compensate
1,ot oil hxyt no I mi 70
States.
One would think that under thes
plain provisions of Organic law, th
duties of the Executive in considers
ton of such legislation was clearl
defined. Whether it was TO contre
or not the sequel will show. Th
Legislature soon as organized
gave employment to about
dozen extra clerks; nearly double
the number OF subordinate employees
by separating the Offices groupe
together in the act Of June 19tf
providing an equal per diem for th
number added, and gave, at adjourn
ment, additional compensations
the Chief Clerks. All these acts RI
ceived Executive approval. But
still more fragrant disregard of la
and instructions, if possible, i
afforded by tho action of "the CO
ordinate branch representing tn
Government of the United States,
in giving vitality to a bill appropri
ating money for postage. "A join
resolution, introduced the secon'
day of the session, in the House