Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-06-06
AUSTIN MONEY SHARES.
Manufacturing Campaign Thunder Against
the Comptroller Because OF Rui-
Jag Which Interferes with Their
luxurious Calling


the Comptroller Because OF Rui-
ing Which Interferes with Their
luxurious Calling
Houston Post.
In the Galveston News Of the 18th inst
appeared letter from Austin signed
"Dio Rivers" in which the correspond
ent attempted general criticism of the
administration of the comptroller's office,
Of course with the view to iniuring Swain
politically. Those acquainted with the
IDENTIFY Of the correspondent will, think,
recognize In him one Of the young men
referred ID In yesterdays Post
as making a proposition TO Col.
Swain, IN political way,
and who met with disappointment. ii
Will not be hard, either, for people about
Austin TO reach the conclusion that this
young gentleman is but the parrot, so TO
speak, Of others under cover who really
/ direct the disreputable campaign against
Swain. The same charge made by him,
THAT by ruling, which is without war
rant Of law, Mr., Swain permits approprl-
atoms TO be entirely used up in one year
! which were set aside and named
| by the legislature to cover a period Of
two years." had been extensively circu-
lated before through the medium of
! private letters from Austin. While at
San Antonio during the meeting of the
Press association | was told by several
prominent gentlemen that parties in Aus
tin had been writing letters to the lnte-
rior of the state with reference TO this
ruling of the comptroller, coupled with
the charge that Swain had made the said
ruling in the interest of money changers
at the state capitol. One of the editors
| present also told me that the charge had
been made in his presence by prominent
state official
mention these facts to show what
mean advantages the enemies OF candl.
dates, when INSCRIPTIONS, resort to-
There is no ruling ever made by Comp
troller Swain with which he has more
cause to be satisfied. 1t was strictly in
the interest of those directly and vitality
interested, aud since the attempt has
been made to use it against him for po-
litical effect, perhaps IL may be well to
lay the facts before the public. The cor
respondent of the News, In his letter of
the / 9th, says; "The Nineteenth legis-
lature appropriated $50, 000-S40,000 for
1885 and $4,000 for lSSG-to pay the
fees for attached witnesses for these
years, and pet this whole appropriation
was used in less than twelve months"
He then goes on TO state that this appro-
priation with others, "are all under the
direct management Of the comptroller
Seemingly it Is the intention of the cor
respondent to disingenuously convey the
impression, first, that these apppropria-
lions, in some particular manner
differing from other appropriations,
are to be disbursed by the comp
troller ut his discretion, and
that ia these items the expense OF the
state may be increased or diminished as
he may direct; and second, that the
appropriation made by the Legislature is
in every case the limit Of the state's La
bllity for services during the term Gov
cred by the appropriations that the eX-
penses of :he state for attached witnesses
for two years were not to exceed the
$50, 900 appropriated, and that Comp
troller Swan had used up the entire OPP
preparation ia one year, thus making the
expense in that particular double what 1t
should be.
Now, as a matter OF fact the appropil-
alton for witness fees is not under the a.
rection Of the comptroller more than IS
any other appropriation for the support
Of the government. Tho law PROVIDES
the manner in which every appropriation
shall be expended, and In the payment OF
fees for attached witnesses the compWol
Ter can spend nothing at his discretion,
nor can he refuse to credit the account Of
any eitizon when made out IN accordance
with the law. The amount OF the appro-
nrlatlon made Is not always the limit 10
Inc ststs's liability. The appropria- !
ton limits the amount that may be
paid from the state treasury, but does not
release the state from obligation TO pay |
for ali services rendered, and in cases IN |
which the appropriation made is fonnd to
be Insufficient the law requires the comp |
trolier to give 10 the holder OF claim
against the state certificate showing tne
amount Of the stlte's indebtedness 10
him. for which additional appropriation
will be made by a succ, 'eding legislature.
To nay the fees Of attached witnesses Tor
two years, the legislature, IN $50, appro-
Driat ID $40 600 for the FIRST year ana
\ 20 900 for the second year, aggregNlng
$50. 900 "for the two years beginning
March J., 1885, and ending February
1e 1871 as expressed IN the caption OF
the nppropriation bill This appr0pria'
ion was only an estimate Of what was
,unposed 10 be sufficient 10 pay this
.lass of claims during the two years. IL
vas Impossible for the Legislature 70
,now how many witnesses would be az
.ached during the year, and what the
,tate,s expense in this particular would
,e. The appropriation was not INTENDED
q limit the obligation OF the state, hence
he law providing fora certificate OF debt
=.
So much for that. Now as 70 Comp
roller Swain's sction 10 the matter. HIS
niing was not In violation OF law but
.--'l.r- '--a ......lt,l. m hane IL 10 those