The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-03-18
sEArrLE, sArUxDAY. MARCH 10.
THE APPROPRIATION BILL.

Gov McGraw has signed the appropria-
ton bill after striking out sundry items
amounting in the aggregate to $l7s,6a0.
The message transmitted with the bill to
the secretary of state shows that the gov.
ernor has considered the questions in.
VOWED with great care, and that he has
conscientiously aimed to do his duty by
the people of the state. He has made re-
auctions in the appropriations for nearly
al the state offices, beginning with the
Office OF governor, and he has stricken out
appropriations for many minor objects
which, though meritorious in themselves,
are not of pressing Importance.
The greater part of the reduction, how
ever, is made by striking out entirely the
appropriation of $3.50 for the erection
and maintenance of a normal school at
Cheney and $35, 900 for the erection and
maintenance of normal school at What
com. 1t is to be regretted that the gov
ernor deemed it necessary to disapprove
of these two items. As We have already
stated We believe that so far as possible
the appropriation made for normal school
purposes should be equitably divided
among the different portions of the state.
While it may be, and doubtless is. true that
one normal school properly conducted can
be made to answer the needs Of the state
for some years to come. it is certainly de-
sirable that as soon as the financial condi-
ton of the state will permit, normal
schools should be established and MAIN
tanned both at Cheney and Whatcom.
The only valid reason that can be given
for not establishing such schools Ut the
present time is that the state has not the
revenue in sight to pay for them.
This. in fact, is the ground upon which
the governor bases his objection. He
says in his message:
and the best advice TO be had upon this subject,
consistent with liberal provision Tor the de-
mands OF the people. lead me to the conclusion
that the proper aud legal course to be pursued
IL to bring the legislative appropriations as
nearly - possible within the income OF the
state
The laws enacted at the recent session OF the
!: legislature provide for an expenditure from the
general fund OF s. ao2. $50 10 during the next two
yearA Tho estimated income OF the state dur
ing the same period will be $l.66s, 0O1 Out OF
the items Of appropriation which have ap.
proved 1t 10 provided that $4,000 shall 10 re-
paid out o! tho sale Of public lands belonging to
the stste This will leave, after deducting the
.itsrns not approved. an estimated deficit OF
.U5,.0sala
= Under article WILL. section !. OF the constitu
at!on. IL 10 provided that the state may. to meet
easusl deficits failures In revenues or tor ex.
spenscs nos provided for. contract debts. but
lsuch debts. direct and contingent, singly and In
Ahs aggregate, shall not. at any time. exceed
4to.oo0
To approve OF the appropriation bill a. II
Islands would. therefore. to my mind clearly In.
voivs IN unconstitutional dencit largely in ex.
cess Of just public demand. and would also
fsvolvs . sale OF public lands TO an extent
which would b. contrary to public policy.
The state has at the present time q
Tonded Indebtedness Of $500, 600. This,
4i3ed to the estimated deficit, will make
0total indebtedness of $452, Ui3. IL, or $52.-
&s3 10 in excess Of the constitutional limit
.s,er the reduction of Sis, $40 made by the
a,vernor. The only other item of any inn
yScrtance which could have been stricken
ont is that Of $4,000 for the state univer.
say. Ii is provided. however, that the ap-
r ,opriation shall be repaid to the general
fr'nd Of the state out of the proceeds
o. the sale of the present site
OF the university, which consists Of ten
AGES OF land in the center of the CITY OF
81 t,le. This land will sell for more than
ttf amount appropriated. and conse.
q,{ntly the deficit would not have been
reduced nor would anything be saved 10
th- state if this appropriation had not
besa made.
We commend the message of the gov.
erSor TO the candid consideration of the
people Of the state. II shows conclusively
tha. the governor was actpated in the
dis barge of an unpleasant duty only BY a
ke.n appreciation of the responsibility i'm
po:ed upon him by law aud necessary re.
gasd for the constitutional limitations by
ych he was restricted.