The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-09-30
AN AMENDMENT TO ADOPT.

AN AMENDMENT To ADOPT.
Amendment No. 5, proposed by the
Legislature to change Section 81 of Article
~. of the Constitution of the State, ought
to be adopted by the unanimous vote of
the people.
1t proposes to amend the present pro-
vision, which prohibits more than one
item in any appropriation bill except in
the general bill, by also excepting de-
ficiency bills. The amendment further
provides that no officer shall incur any
deficiency except in case of actual neces-
sity, and then only upon the written au-
thority of the Governor, Secretary of
State and Attorney General, and pro-
yides that the Legislature shall have no
power to appropriate money to pay de-
ficiencies incurred in violation of this
provision. The Governor is also given
power to veto any item of deficiency
bill and to approve others.
This is an excellent amendment. By
giving the Governor power to veto any
item in the general appropriation bill,
while approving others, it becomes
impossible for the politicians to cram OBJ
jectionable appropriations down the
executive throat. Heretofore the Gov
ernor has often given approval to ap-
preparations that he desired to defeat and
that deserved death, because it was neces-
sary to veto the entire general appropria-
ton bill to reach the vicious item, and
this would entail upon the State an ex-
tended legislative session, possibly a
deadlock and a stoppage of governmental
institutions. 'tRiders" on appropriation
bills will become dangerous experiments
if the amendment is adopted; extrava-
CANT and unnecessary appropriations will
not be likely to he railroaded through
+, the Legislature upon the vehicle of abso-
lutely necessary expenditure for the sup
ence of the executive will be conserved.
and the check and balance between that
and the legislative branch of the Govern
ment will be made complete.
Placing deficiency bills in the category
of bills that shall have but one item of
appropriation is the rule of the Constitu-
ton now. But the result is multipli-
cation of bills, when one or two would
achieve the ends desired were the change
proposed made. 1t is, therefore, wise to
adopt the amendment No. 5 for this other
reason. A new feature is introduced also
by the proposed Observation-Disclosures of
the State are prohibited from mourning
necessity, then only upon the written
authority of the Governor, Secretary of
State and Attorney General. Any def
cheney made in violation of that mandate
is declared void, and the Legislature is
pronounced incompetent to give it vital
ity.
This is provision that commends it
self with exceeding strength. The old
rule has been TO continue a course in
office regardless of it's cost and the ex-
haustion of the fund provided for it. and
trust to the succeeding Legislature to foot
the bill. If the amendment is adopted
this can be no more done, but officers
will be compelled TO administer their
offices and conduct institutions under
their charge with an eye single to the
sum set apart for that purpose. If, how
ever, great necessity arises, as in case OF
public calamity, pestilence, or strong
governmental need, and where loss would
occur if the rule were enforced strictly,
the Governor, Secretary of State and At
torney- General may authorize the incur
ring of liabilities in excess of the sum
originally provided.
So we have three sound reasons for the
adoption of proposed Amendment No. 5.
Either one is sufficient in itself, but the
three taken together irresistlbly establish
the worth of the change that it is pro,
posed to the people to make.
ANOTHER MEASURE TO DEFEAT,
Wa have raoipfad 0,,t ono Y,rnnoSaC