Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1883-03-23
Gurrka Dailp 9enti,el.
GOVERNOR BUTLER.

The indications are that Benjamin F..
Butler will prove himself to be the most
valuable Governor that Massachusetts,
has ever had. His message to the Legs
lature showed that he has a most remark
able familiarity with the affairs OF the
State. and his shrewd analysis of the sit
nation give rise to comment all over the
United States. 1t was like shaking up
the dry bones of the old aristocracy,
which had allowed things to settle down
into a rut. while they devoted their time,
which belonged to the commonwealth, to
esthetic culture. The "Commoners
did not overlook the opportunity thus
offered. and have been for years fastening
their tentacles closer and tighter upon
the public crib. In his able message MIR.
Butler struck the first blow, which II 1ol'
lowed up by Legislative action, such as
h. recommended, would break down the
rings. The legislature Of Massachusetts,
has not seconded him in his efforts at re-
form, but lave preferred to allow the al
fairs of the State to run along in the
same old heightened but wasteiul manner
He has shown. however, that ne Is SIN
cere in the policy proposed in his message,
and by a recent veto places them in the
awkward attitude OF obstructing the way
to retrenchment and economy. A sensa-
ton was created in the Legislature to-
day, says a dispatch to the New 1ork
papers of the 18th, by a message which
Governor Butler presented, vetoing the
bill making appropriations for the ex'
pense of various charitable and retorma-
torv institutions OF the State. He de-
clines to sign it for various reasons mat
it contains appropriations for distinct
purposes, some OF which are objection
able and others are not, and are but a
continuation OF what he says is the VI
cious practice OF uniting in one bill differ
ent appropriations for entirely diverse
objects. He quotes this method as ap'
Piled to Congressional appropriations,
where it is a great bar to satisfactory
legislation. Taking the total appropri-
atoms OF the bill, to wit S+14, 900, he an
alyzes the various items which make up
that amount. Most Of the appropriations,
he says, are for the payment OF salaries,
expenses and cost OF supervision oil the
State almshouse, ~workhouse, primary
school and reform school for boys and
girls, and he estimates the Appropriation
for salaries at SO per cent OF the amount
to be expended for the maintenance OF
these institutions. The salaries have
been increased rather than diminished.
Upon a better acquaintance with the cost
Of doing business for the State, he is more
than ever convinced that the common
wealth employs more officers and agents
than are necessary to do its business,
and, reviewing the statements made IN
his inaugural address, reatfrms his asser'
lions therein, that the State institutions
are managed with unnecessary extrava'
gance, following up this with a detailed
analysis OF the cost of supporting the In
mates. No investigation into the &C
counts of these institutions or report
upon this subject has been made to thu
Legislature. He declines to be response
BILE for such a bill, and will not even al
low it to become a law without his ap
prevail, as he might. The plea that al
appropriations are audited and supervised
by the State Auditor as a protection
against robbery is not correct, as hi
business is but to examine the arithme
tical features of these accounts rathe
than to 90 behind them and ascertain i
honesty characterizes the transaction
they represent.