Daily Kennebec journal., 1883-05-01
A7cAUsTIC LETTER.
Butler Proposes to Furnish the Money
for Tewksbury.

BosroN, April so.
The governor, in acknowledging the con-
sent of the State board OF health to take
charge Of TewksbuTy, has written caustic
letter in which he says that he proposes to
furnish money to carry on the aimshouse
until the legislature can make approprla-
tions for its support, but he will neither furn-
ish it or permit il to be furnished II 1t Is TO
expended by the present superintendent. Ii
the legislature approprlates money for fewks-
bury he will not permit any money to be
drawn from the treasury if it is to be spent
by the officials now in office. He calls the
attention of the board 20 the fact that they
can appoint no officers without his consent.
and as he has not consented to the appoint
ment of the present officials. he does not
propose to allow any bills contracted bv
them. Referring to the custom OF the assist
ant attorney general to sign opinions. he sug-
gests that a number of customs which have
prevailed may have been distasteful to the
people of the State, and possibly may have
had something to do with the change of po-
litcal sentiments.
Charles Marsh, clerk at the almshouse,
was recalled. He claimed that his accounts
had been accurately kept, notwithstanding
certain apparent discrepancies. In the cor
rection of his previous testimony, he stated
that his ledger was bought in 1882. although
the 6rst entry therein is dated July |, 1879.
He had nothing to do with the record of the
history OF the inmates; that was kept by an
other clerk.
This afternoon, Gov. Butler sent COM
muncation to the legislature relating to the
Tewksbury almshouse expenditures, for the
support of which he claims excessive, con-
siderablv over $50, 900, having been used up
to Jan. l, the end of the fiscal year. The
letter concludes with the following PROPOSE
ton
Under wise administration, seventy
thousand dollars would have been ample for
the expenses of the State almshouse for the
present fiscal year, assuming the same num-
ber of inmates as in the last, and that two
thirds of that amount would now complete
the fiscal year. l am SO strongly of that
opinion that if the legislature will make such
appropriations and put its expenditure and
care within the control of the executive. and
the auditing of bills with the council |
would not shrink from undertaking the
labors imposed by such a duty. 1t at the
end of the year il turns out that it cannot be
done, it would be best to answer to any sus-
picion of extravagant expenditure In the
past. If it can be done, then it would be
easy for anybody to follow the example. If
such q course is desirable, it can be easily
reached by single sentence attached to the
appropriation bill, authorizing and directing
such control Of expenditures as above sug-
gested.
Adjourned.
The boards of health, lunacy and charity
met today at the Tewksbury almshouse, re-
porters excluded. The action taken was
that of looking to the preparation of the re-
plies to the governors letter of Saturday
(Which was spoken of as discourteous) also
his message today. The meeting was rather
inharmonIous, and it is stated that one mem
ber especially, objecting to secrecy, as hav-
ing been the cause of all the unpleasantness
now being experienced by the board