Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-02-11
THE TRUE PeLICY OF APPROPRIA-
TONS


The making of appropriations for the
needs of great and growing State should
not be conducted upon the low plane of
gaining reputation for party for economy.
Appropriations should be measured by the
economy that conserves the advancement
OF the best interests of the people, and
with a due regard of course of the ability
OF the State to bear the outlay. To lessen
the struggle for existence, encourage enter
prise, provide for the wards of the State.
care for its property, promote material in
dustries, broaden the field of intellectual
culture and contribute to the prosperity
and happiness of the people, and the dis
charge of just liabilities should be the aim
of State. The people are not slow to dis
Germ the distinction between the policy
that measures its economy by the fewness
of the shekels disbursed and that broader
State policy which looks upon wise appro-
priations as judieious investments, and
considers the amount appropriated far less
than 1t does the purposes for which di-
rected. Political leaders may not fear to
90 before the people and answer for
amounts expended by the party in legisla-
tive asceIidancy, 50 long as the purposes of
appropriation are clearly for the public
good. If we are 10 proceed upon any
other theory, then State economy will
resolve itself into State niggardliness. The
appropriations by the present Legislature
promise to be large, but thus far Of those
likely to be confirmed we do not find any
nottortifed by wise and Just considerations.
Whatever is given for the perfection of
our educational system Is impregnably in
trenched against partisan assault; what
ever is given to discharge the Just debts
and equitable obligations of the State, the
people will approve; whatever is given in
the direction Of systematized charity and
10 reduce the amount of human woe and
suffering not due to viciousness will be
applauded by the generous people of a gen
erous State; whatever is given to con-
serve agricultural and commercial inter
ests, and better industrial conditions, will
meet with hearty approval; whatever is
set aside for the preservation, adornment
and betterment of the great trusts commit
ted to the State in the form of the noblest
of parks and the most majestic of forest
scenery, is wisely appropriated, since every
dollar thus expended will return more
than itself to the State in augmented
attractions, and eonvenicnces to visitors to
the State, and the vast increase Of their
numbers; whatever is given to carry ont,
in all its fullneSs and true intent, the will
of the people as expressed in the Constitu-
ton regarding school textbooks, is simply
the discharge Of duty ON the part of the
Legislature which it cannot honestly
avoid; whatever is appropriated for the
requirement Of exact knowledge relative
to our forests and mines State resources,
State trusts, and the conduct of State de
partments, is wisely given; whatever is APP
piled TO the protection of food game and
the cultivation of food fishes whatever is
given for the needs of State asylums-
not to be measured, either, by the bare
necessities of life-is bevond the
possibility Of assault whatever is given
to conserve the public health and provide
for public sanitation; to extensively
treat the subject of irrigation and deter
mine through capable departments
all the possibilities of the natural
features of the State; whatever, in short,
Is given with a view to the advancement
OF State institutions, to invite desirable !
immigration, to discharge liabilities and
respond to demands of unquestioned |