Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-05-24
A CUT MUST BE MADE.

A CUT MUST BE MADE.
Governor Beaver Considering What Appro-
printion Bills to Veto. in Order to Keep
Stale Expenses Near the Revenues
What VIII Likely Suffer.
Special Telegram to The Dispatch.
HARRISBURG, May Ex-Governor Beaver Is
hard at work considering the appropriation
and other bills remaining for disposition. ne
has been devoting himself assiduously to TINS
portion of his executive duties the past three
weeks, and by the last of this month be expects
to have all the legislation out Of the way he
would have over two weeks more to consider
bills, but his appointment as visitor TO tne
Annapolis school will compel his absence from
the executive chamber on Friday of next week.
In disposing of the appropriation bills the
Governor is confronted with many difficulties.
A careful estimate of the revenues expected in
the general fund places the amount for the
next two years at Slll5l 900. The general ap-
fropriation bill is found to authorize an aggre-
gate expenditure of about S8,747,3 or which
81, 600 are applicable to the payment of the
interest on the State debt The deduction OF
this amount from the sum stated would leave
for use in meeting current demands 81, ,497, ,329.
Other bills call for S. 480, ,293 making an aggre-
gate appropriation of Sl29T7, ,293, exclusive OF
the sinking fund money. In this calculation
the anticipated expenses of public printing and
other items, not specifying any fixed sum, but
involving expenditures, are taken into consid-
GRAFTON.
The Pruning Knife Necessary.
In the estimate of revenues for the first year
there is counted collateral Inheritance tax OF
S500000 from the estate Of Isaiah Williamson,
the Philadelphia millionaire, who died recent
ly. AS the estimated receipts will fall short OF
the contemplated expenses for the next two
years about SlS46,632, the Governor will be
obliged to use the pruning knife quite freely on
appropriations to bring the expenses within the
revenues. Suits instituted against corporations
for the recovery of taxes the Governor calcu-
lates. will bring to the Treasury about N0O,OOO,
which would still leave an excess of proposed
disbursements of s., 1862
\
Hasn't Enough Bills TO Veto.
There are on the Governors table about 100
appropriation bills, and he seems sorry the
number which he approved before the adjourn
ment of the Legislature, because Of the law
which requires him either to sign bills within
ten days after they reach his hands, allow
them to become laws by Limitation or disap-
prove them, was as great Then, the Governor
says, he had no proper idea as to the amount Of
the appropriations, or he would have made a
material reduction in the aggregate sum ap-
propriated by the bills signed. IF had them
under my control" he said to-day, in effect, II
see where could have diminished the amount
100000. The general appropriation bill had
then not been passed, and ! was not in po-
sition TO exercise the veto power, as am since
the passage of the bill, with provision appro-
priating S4,OOO.OOO to the common schools for
the next two years, 8, 100000 more than the
House Committee on Appropriations agreed
on"
No Necessity Now for Fancy Uniforms.
The Governor did not state that he would
veto any particular bill, but he strongly 1nti-
mated that the items in the general appropria-
tion bill authorizing the expenditure of $4,000
for the purchase Of dress uniforms for the
National Guard would have to fail on account
of the excess of the appropriations over the
probable revenues. The necessity for these
uniforms was not urgent at any rate, he inti-
mated, ,as there were no more centennial demon
strations near, nor any Presidential inaugura-
tion, nor any other extraordinary displays in
which the military was expected to form con-
spicuous feature.
Other Things That Must Suffer.
The Governor also limited his purpose to veto
the items in the general appropriation bill pro-
vlding for the payment of the salaries of de-
ceased judges and other officials for the terms
for which they were elected to their heirs. The
Governor thinks this bill is not the proper place
for such appropriations, as he vetoed separate
bill, two years ago, of similar import. The
items would likely be disapproved even if they
constituted separate bills. 1t is not certain
that the Governor will not scale down the ap-
preparation to pay the expenses Of the Legis
gate over $4,000 With regard to other bills
making appropriations to institutions, the
Governor will pursue policy similar to that
adopted two years ago, when he lowered the
amounts allowed by the Legislature over
Many appropriations will consequently have
to suffer curtailment or be vetoed outright.
-
Some Bills That Were Signed.
The Governor to-day, after argument for and
against it. approved the bill for government of
cities of the third class, which is to take the
place of the municipal act of 1887, which was
held to be unconstitutional, because it recog-
nized too many classes of cities. The Governor
also approved the bill authorizing assessments
and reassessments for the cost of local inn
provements already made or in process of COM
pletion, and providing for their collection. This
bill is particularly intended to compel the pay
ment of the cost Of paved streets by abutting
property owners who have refused to pay their
pro rata share because the municipal act of
1857, under which the work was done, was de-
clared to be unconstitutional by the Superior
Court. Probably 100000 will change hands on
account of this act, Chester City alone having a
claim against property owners of Sl50000 In
this city there are owing the Barber Asphalt
Company about SIS, QUO for street paving, which
amount is payable under this law. The Gov
ernor also signed to-day bills enabling cities Of
the third class which have more than one
school district to consolidate them if majori-
ty of each board can be secured in favor Of
consolidation, and putting the maximum ex-
penditures of the State Board of Health at
$4,000 year instead of 5000 as now.
Bills That Are Found Defective.
Governor Beaver has signed the bill provid-
ing for the appointment of Chief Inspector
at 81 500 year and six deputies at 81, 900 each
to look into the protection of women and chill
dren in mercantile and other industries, but
the act will not be operative until 1891, at
least, as the Legislature failed to make any
appropriation to carry out its provisions The
Governor will make no appointments to the
several places because of this legislative neg
lect The judicial salary bill is also defective
in this respect, but If the revenue should hold
out the increased salary provided could be paid
them If the Governor signed the act. In the
bill for the government of the State Library,
this important omission is also made, and it
will go for naught. One or two other bills are
similarly defective.
READING ROBERT ELSMERE