New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-22
HILLS EAID on THE TREASURY.


1t is rumored that Democratic leaders in the
Assembly confidently expect that the Ways
and Means Committee will whitewash Governor
Ill., The resolution providing for an inveSti-
cation of The peculiar manner in which tho
Governor raised money in excess OF the appio-
pIiation to pay the bills he had incurred In
rfurnishing the Executive Mansion was scnb
to that committee. OF course these Democrats
base their anucipations largely on the TACT
that Mr.. Sheehan. the Democratic leader In the
Assembly. holds membership on ways and
Means. Well, he does, but he is by no means
the committee. and the committee AS whole
can be counted upon rcsolutely to
do its duty no matter who Is hit.
IL has become evident that unless the
Legislature sits down hard on the Governor he
is likely to get his hands very deep into the
State Treasury. 1t is not believed that MIR.
Hill would carry of a rcdhOt stove belonging
TO the taxpayers. He probably draws the limo
at rcdhot stoves. But he certainly does not
draw it at reckless and unwarantabie OUTLAWS
for the enlargement. improvement and general
establishment of his official residence. Tho
Governors repeated demands upon the public
purse for money TO be spent upon the Executive
Mansion, and his peculiar method of raising
the wind when he had exhausted the special
appropriation for the building. have eliminated
IN n grave scandal Tho mask is off him now.
if il never was before. The pious apostle OF
frugality at up-country fairs discovers no such
word as frugality in his vocabulary, when it
comes to laying out money on the temporary
home, sweet home. Of David b. Hill.
,t,t. Il, nf
record is worthy the attention Of those who
may still be laboring under the impression that
his administration is in the interest OF ccononii-
cal government. Let us see what mas oceh
spent upon the Executive Mansion since he
entered it. Mr.. Hill succeeded Governor
Cleveland in 1885. That year $1,000 was
placed in the general appropriation bill Tor
,cpairs furniture and incidental expenses" OF
the mansion. and $500 more for "extraor-
binary rcpairs' upon it. In 1886 another
50 900 was appropriated for "repalrs. flirnl-
furc and incidental expenses" Of the mansion
Total in two years, $1,000 But Governor
Hill was by no means satisfied with any such
pa,try sum as that He had his own ideas as
to what his official home ought to be. They
were ideas that came high. Near the close of
earnest solicitation, appropriated $4,000 Tor
additional grounds for the Executive Mansion,
and the further sum Of $4,000 for repairing
and rcfurnishing the mansion and improving
the grounds. And not satisfied with this very
generous provision the Governor IN 1881 came
again to the Legislature, hat in hand, begging
for another big appropriation for his Official
residence. lie made an urgent appeal Tor
$4,000 more. assuring the Legislature that If
that additional amount was appropriated the
mansion could be occupied in few weeks.
The $4,000 was given him. and in addition
the general appropriation bill contained the
customary item of So 900 q for repairs furni-
ture and incidental expenses OF the Executive
Mansion" Grand total for three years
SIII.5OO. spent on Governor Hills Official
residence
One might have supposed that public ser
want who was not entirely reckless and OK
travagant would have paused when confronted
with these figures. But Mr. Hill did not pause
lie is not that kind Of a reformer. lie went
ahead and spent on the mansion. not only all the
money which he had obtained from the Legs
Iatuc. but, as now appears. sope $1,000
which he unwarrantably drew from another
fund. Just so when Tweed was in full control
money was unlawfully diverted from one Of
the States great funds for the use OF the ring
in meeting its pronigate expenditures. 1t is to
bo expected that the Legislature will probe
this disgraceful business 10 the bottom and then
yesoutcly apply the remedy.
The Governor shOuA be- taught that he cam
not with impunity contract bills for the public
to pay when there is no appropriation 10 meet
them. And he should also be taught that hn
is mistaken in supposng that the best use ono
can pnt taxpayers to is to bleed them. in order
that he may INDULGE himself in the agreeable
employment Of building and decorating.