The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1893-05-09


THEo. c. PORTER,
Minister of Finance.
Honolulu, May S, 1898.
Before the reading of the report of
the Finance committee, Vice Presi-
dent Damon arose to Introduce reso
luton relating to the finances OF the
government
Mr.. Damon said that before the re-
pors was read and acceptance moved
he wished to introduce an amend
msnt in the form OF resolution he
would give his reasons therefor. At
the meeting OF the Finance commit
tee held last Friday they had received
a rebuff a limit of expenditure had
been set by consent for last month.
This affected each department and
was in accordance with the Audit
act, which he quoted. 1t was true
the law OF the act had never teen car
ried out, but general estimates have
ALWAYS been made under it. The
Finance committee was merely the
servant of the councils. and would
lend all the aid in its power to secure
a proper control of the government
finances.
If the Provisional government can
show il has grappled successfully with
the financial question, this added to
its other succe- ses. would cause IL TO
be more wild ly respected It would
become more stable, and besides would
receive the gratitude of the cOmmu-
nifty.
To illustrate how departments had
exceeded the limits agreed upon, he
stated that the judiciary had been al
Iotted $500; it had spent $500 The
attorney generals department had
only asked SIS 900 odd, but had spent
$4,000. The foreign affairs office had
been allotted $1,000; it had spent
$500. The finance department was
given ST., 600; il spent $4,000. The
only bureau that had not exceeded
the limit set; its probable expenses
were estimated at S5979.SS, out of
which S567I-2I had been spent, leav-
ing q balance of S3OS. 81.
The interior department had lived
closest to its limit; it had been allow
ed 81, 600, and had spent but $500
over that amount The military and
the Provisional gov -rnment, joint ex-
penditure, was Sig, 200 odd in excess of
the allotment
The wee president stated that he
did not blame either individuals or
departments, but thought il was time
to correct an old abuse and tighten
the rein throughout all department s.
"Our finances" he concluded, ARE
the keystone of the arch of govern
ment, and take this stand that we
may become masters of the situation
When I left the meeting OF the finance
committee on last Friday, / felt we
had run against a stump; | have felt
that way ever since, and that stump
is still before my eyes. To get around
it have prepared the following reso
lurion:"
Resolved, That on or before the
first day of each month the Minister
Of Finance, chairman o. the Finance
committee, shall present to the coun-
ell statement of the cash IN hand
and a careful statement of the eSti-
mated receipts for the ensuing month,
and further q statement showing the
amounts which may prudentIy be
allotted to each of the several depart
ments for the ensuing month. Upon
the approval by the council Of the
foregoing recommended expenditures
the several departments may with
draw funds from the treasury, but not
In excess of such recommended eX-
Denditures without the consent of the
Finance committee or vote OF the
council. And also that from and
after this date payments from the
treasury other than interest on the