Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-08
A PERSONAL PLEDGE.
Covering Every Bit of His Property,
Given by Governor Beaver
10 THE PHILADELPHIA BANKERS
Who Advanced the Money Necessary for the
Work at JohnStoEn.
he HAS NO FEARS OF LOSS, THOUGH.
Chicago Contributors Want ItemiEsd Flood Relief
Accounts

When Governor Beaver borrowed nearly
100000 for sanitary work at Johnstown,
says Colonel Hill, he pledged his personal
property for its repayment. The State
Board of Health, it is said, has authority to
act in such premises, and that the Board
will undoubtedly secure the Governor.
Chicago contributors make another call for
an itemized account of the food relief fund.
Colonel Samuel w. Hill was seen yester-
day by DISPATCH reporter, concerning
the work done by the State and Relief Com
missions at Johnstown. The reports of the
financial expenditures necessary to get
things into shape in that afflicted city, are
now nearly ready to hand over to the proper
authorities, and to be published in the re-
port of the State at the proper time. The
reports will be very voldminous, and give
in detail every item of expense.
Considering the gigantic amount of work
that had to be done on the premises, the cost
Of the undertaking is rather surprisingly
small. 1t was at one time estimated that
81, 900 900 would not cover the sum needed.
Colonel Hill makes the following state
ment: Governor Beaver advanced funds to
pay necessary expenses and for relief, until
the Flood Relief Commission was fully
organized, to the amount Of S91, 158 0S; this
sum was drawn from the relief fund. For
clearing rivers and repairing highways the
sum of 1855. .S1S Sc was expended, being ad-
vanced by Governor Beaver.
A CAUSE FOR CRITICISM.
The fact that the Legislature had made no
appropriation to meet such an expenditure
OF money has caused considerable speeuia-
tion, and at times brought out some adverse
criticism. 1t was also asked where Gov
ernor Beaver secured the funds for such an
outlay, and whether the Legislature would
be disposed to make up the expenditure by
an appropriation, without some investiga-
tion and little hesitation. An explana-
tion OF the procedure was given by Mr..
Hill.
1.-THE reason why Governor Beaver did
not convene a special session of the Legis-
lature" said he, Twas because it would, in
the first place, involve an expense of fully
$500, 900. Every member would receive
mileage and 81, 500, even though the session
lasted only one week. The Governor de-
signed to have the work done as economically
as possible, as there had been heavy drafts
on the State treasury before the calamity
occurred, aud when he went to the State
Treasurer he found there was no money
there for that purpose. He, therefore, ex-
ercised his police authority in the matter
and ordered the work to be proceeded with.
In order to secure funds for this purpose he
went so far as to pledge his own private
property to obtain them. As the case now
stands, his whole property is dependent on
the next Legislature to make good the ex-
penditure.
OF SUPREME POWER.
1.-THE money, as has been stated, was sd-
Vanced by Philadelphia banking people,
and whenever any money was needed
to prosecute the work requisi-
ton wss drawn on Governor Beaver.
Furthermore, the work was ordered by the
State Board of Health, and it must be un-
derstood that its power is supreme in mat
tiers of that kind. The Board of Health has
power to direct the highest officials, whenever
pestilence or any condition prejudicial to
the public health is threatened. 1t has
power to make any expenditure, and can
demand that the taxpayers make good the cost
of the work. A pestilence was threatened
on account of the polluted condition of the
river and the bad state of the roads. By
going ahead with the work, as has been
done, much money has been saved, and
without the least doubt the Legislature will
make good the amount by an appropria-
tion."
Certain parts of the report are not yet
complete, but Colonel Hill is working on it,
and will have it ready before long. Much
trouble was experienced at first in trying to
determine just what expenses should be as
sumed by the State, and what by the relief
commission. The work of burying bodies
was at first taken hold of by the State, but
afterWard the relief committee met and as
sumed the responsibility of this work. A
transfer of certain accounts and items then
became necessary, and delayed the compile
ton of the report somewhat.
The State has now withdrawn altogether
from the case, and the city authorities are
doing what they can to improve the place.