The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1895-05-25

How Her Expenditures Have In
creased Year by Year,
MEETING OF THE LEGISLATURE.

IL VIII Convene on Tuesday Next, and 1t
Is Hoped to Push Through Bills Framed
by the Senate Investigating Committee.
Suggestions for Economy.
TRENTON May 25.-The senate investi-
eating committee yesterday held its last
public meeting previous to the reassem-
bling of the legislature on Tuesday, June
1, when the committee will submit re-
port of its work, together with the draft
Of a number Of bills which will be recon-
mended for passage to correct the abuses
and extravagances which have been dis
covered and exposed through the investi-
cation. From now until the legislature
meets the committee will be very busy
preparing the reports and drafting the
| bills which will be recommended Whether
the committee will resume its investiga-
zion after the legislature adiourns will de-
pend of course upon what action is taken
in the matter by the Legislature itself.
The legislature will be in session about
two weeks, and if the present program
is carried out nothing will be done outside
Of the consideration of such bills now in
The hands of the governor as may be re
turned with his veto, and the passage OF
lbills suggested by the developments Of the
senate investigation committee. The gov
lernor has had in his possession ever since
the legislative recess was taken sixteen
bills which have failed to receive his ap-
lproval.
The committee yesterday took up the
offices of the clerk in chancery and the
clerk of the supreme court, with a view to
showing the value of these fee offices to
the incumbents. Allen McDermott the
clerk in chancery, was called to the stand
and testified that for his nine years occu-
pancy of his office it had netted him an
average yearly income of between $4,000
and $l6,5OO.
Benjamin F. Lee, The clerk of the su-
preme court, testified that his office had
netted him an average of 600 for the
past four years. He could not say what
1t had netted him for all the years he had
occupied the Office without reference tc
his records, 1t develops that Mr.. McDer
mott and Lee had with due regularity
made the quarterly returns to the comp
troller provided for by law Of the amount
Of fees received by them for their use
The committee in the afternoon took W
the question of the total annual expendi
lures of the state. Mr.. Corbin said the
comptroller had prepared schedule Of
the expenses of the state for the past
twenty years These had been divided
into the ordinary and extraordinary ex
penses. From 1879 to 1885 the total ex
penses had averaged Sl000,00O a year
Since then they have gradually increased
and last year they were 81 $3.50, 900. The
militia cost the state last year S2l9,00O. OF
this sum S3S, 600 was for armories, and the
balance for ordinary expenses. He thought
limit should be fixed to the amount Of
expenses which might be incurred on ac
count of the militia.
Mr., Corbin thought also that considera
BILE judicious economy could be practiced
in other state departments Among thest
he mentioned the legislature, whose ex
penses increased from S53, 600 in 1875 tC
el25, 900 IN 1893 Mr.. Corbin advised re
adjustment of the salaries of state officers
Charles H. Simmerman, the head of tn,
labor bureau, was put on the stand ant
questioned as to the workings of his de
partment. Mr.. Corbin showed that tn,
expenses of this bureau had increased from
$1,000 year to about $4,000 a year.
was shown that Mr.. Simmerman draw
the money from the state and then pays i
out himself. Dairy Commissioner Nc
Guire practices the same method Mr.
Corbin said he thought the expense
should be paid direct from the state treas
ury 1t was stated that both officer
would welcome the change.
Mr. Corbin expressed his disapproval o
the fullness with which state reports ar
prepared and printed, and suggested tha
the state documents should be edited by
competent commission.