The record-union., 1894-05-03
weather Forecast.
THAT ..EMERGENcY FUND"

We have been surprised, even amazed,
not to say humiliated, by the fact that a
considerable number Of otherwise in
telligent people, all good citizens. as the
phrase goes, urge that the Governor
use the "emergency fund.- to aid the
large group of dependent men who have
massed and precipitated themselves upon
this community to be supported and
transported.
The speakers of these men constantly
preach about the use of the emergency
fund" Some business men and taxpay-
ers, who ought to know better, talk of the
emergency fund.-" and correspondents
write TO US asking why the Governor
cannot use it. One business man insists
that the Governor, Secretary of State.
Controller and Treasurer have the power
to use this emergency fund.-" or in case
of emergency" to take any money from
the Treasury and use it to aid these men.
1t is rather humiliating in this day and
age of enlightenment with the Constitu-
ton in every house, the statute books in
every Office, and the State officials within
easy reach and ready to give informa-
ton, to know that such ridiculous, abb
surd and loose ideas of managing the
affairs of the State prevail to any extent
whatever.
Once for all, then, let those who are
misinformed, those others who stub
bornly insist upon the correctness of the
claims made, learn that there never was,
and there is not now, any such thing as
an emergency fund" in this State.
Let them learn that no State officer
and no group of officers has any power
whatever to take any money from the
Treasury except it is by direct appropria-
tion or ordered under law duly passed
setting forth the specific purpose for
which the appropriation is made. If any
officers or group should seize upon
money in the Treasury as is suggested
they should do, they would be liable on
their bonds, and to be removed from
Office, and to be sent to cool their heels in
State Prison.
There is not line, letter or syllable in
the laws about any emergency" or the
judgment of any one as to when an
emergency" has arisen, to justify the
use of any money of the people for pri-
vate or public relief. The people who are
running about asserting to the contrary
are making themselves ridiculous.
There is a secret service fund. It is of
such amount as each Legislature deter
mines. 1t is placed at the sole command
of the Governor for use by him as Exec
utive of the State. as he may see TT, in
Investigations, pursuit of criminals, en-
forcement of the laws, unearthing of
malfeasance in Office, etc. The last Legis-
lature put $1,000 into that fund, $500 for
each of the two years of Governor Mark
HAMS term then remaining. There is
net now, and has not for some time been,
dollar in that fund. 1t has all been
used, and in the interest of justice, pro-
lection of the rights of the people and the
enforcement of the laws.
There is no promiscuous fund that can
be used at any body's beck and whim. IF
it were given to any official to plunge his
hand into the treasury when he thought
the need demanded, there would be cre-
ated such needs in ten days as would
take every dollar of the money gathered
from the taxpayers to create the State
Treasury.
It may be pardonable in view of the
deplorable lack of information by men
who claim TO be fairly intelligent citi-
gems, but who are ''all wrong'' on these
questions, to quote few lines from the
laws:
Constitution, Article ", Section 22-No
money shall be drawn from the treasury but
In consequence of appropriations made by
law and upo warrants duly drawn thereon
bv the Controller; and no money shall ever
be appropriated or drawn from the state
Treasury for the use and benefit of any cor
poration, association or asylum, hospital or
other institution not under the exclusive
uaanagement and control OF the State as
State institution.
But not even the Legislature could JUS
tify any misuse of the public funds:
Constitution, Article ", Section 31--The
Legislature shall have no power 10 give or 70
lend or TO authorize the giving or lending OF
the credit OF the State, or OF any county or
scitv or township, in aid OF or TO any person.
association or corporation. or 10