Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1895-01-17

ps0ooe 4 ieVA y alleweo N cents per l,vu
''snn" for composition, and 70 cents per l,oOl
''sms" for table work. Kansas pays for print.
Ing journals, reports, laws. circulars, etc., n
cents pr 1000 ems" for straight matter and
olisK per 1000 ems" for table work, For
prsss work the Iowa state printer receives Sl.5(
pr 1000 for l6-pags forma We pay N.s.ssi
per loo for e-pags forms. In fact, however
the state printer never ruas an s-page form
He runs one i6-page form and charges fol
two S-page forms, making the actual price
paid By the state sa.75 per 1000 impressions
against $50 paid BY the state OF Iowa
The state Of Kansas pays 30 per cent. more
for composition than the state Of Iowa, and l5(
percent more for press work. Illustrations
Of these extravagant prices paid for printing
can be multiplied, but 1t is unnecessary.
Another very important matter in connec-
tion with the state printing, that should re-
ceive your attention, is the voluminous matter
published In the reports Of the departments.
A great deal Of matter which is OF no i'm
portance whatever Is embodied in these
reports. The executive council should he
authorized and required to limit the
size Of reports, and To determine the character
and expense Of binding. The appropriation for
public printing for the years 1906 and 1890
should not exceed 100 1000, thus saving tho
state more than $4,000 The matter demands
the immediate attention Of the legislature, and
. thorough revision Of the prices paid for pub
Nc printing should BE- Immediately had
Fssa and Salaries.
Your attention IL called to the abuses which
have grown up under our system Of fees and
salaries The most practical way 10 reform
these abuses would be, whore 1t Is at oil feasl-
bic, to abolish the fees system and substitute .
nxed salary for oil officers.
Your careful scrutiny is invited to the matter
Of salaries, with view to such reductions 40
will bring them IN harmony with the changed
business conditions Of the state.
Enrolling Clerks.
Your attention Is called TO the sot Of May |,
1855, sections s66l, 3o52 and S853 Of the revised
statutes providing for the engrossing and en-
rolling Of bills. 1t was clearly the intention Of
the law that the secretary Of state should have
charge Of this work, and that the enrolling
clerk Of each house should be held accountable
for the care and custody Of the bills for their
respective houses, when such bills were not in
the hands Of the secretary OF state. The au-
thority for the employment Of additional
clerks rests with the secretary Of state
and the enrolling clerks. would sug-
rest that the law be SO revised as to
place the employment Of assistant engrossing
d nd aurn11tnu nj
Of the work. with the secretary Of state and
that the enrolling clerks be required to take
charge Of the bills from their respective
houses, delivering them 10 the secretary Of
Itate, taking his receipt therefor, and when
.he bills have been enrolled or engrossed re.
,eive them from the secretary Of state, receipt.
ng TO him therefor, This would define clearly
he duties Of the different officers, so that each
'ould be held strictly accountable for the dis.
,harge Of his duty,
The act referred to provides for the compen-
lation Of clerks Of stated sum per folio, and
10 authority exists for employing assistant en-
Irossing or enrolling clerks by the day The
disregard Of this law by the legislature has
,ost the state thousands Of dollars biennially
md has caused an unseemly scramble for
places, In many instances by persons utterly
to discharge the duties of enrolling
Jerks
State Boards.
Several propositions have been discussed
ooking to o change Of the powers and duties Of
no state boards but doubt the wisdom Of
making any radical changes in this respect
some amendments might be made which would
Increase the efficiency Of these boards and 1t
would DO we ! for you to consider the propriety
i abolishing entirely some Of them. II would
Gem that either the board Of public works or
he office Of state architect might ba
ispensed with. The Office OF silk com.
missioner can be abolished without
ny detrlment to the state The state
oard Of health might be made less expensive
'ithout materially diminishing it's efficiency.
he Office OF state veterinarian might be abol-
shell and the office placed under the control
u the professor OF veterinary Ut the agricul-
lral college In these times OF depression 1t
$ your duty to cut OIL all expenditures not
absolutely necessary. There has never seemed
o me any reason why members Of the state
'oards should he paid mileage Itwould be for
more reasonable and sensible to pay them
heir necessary travelling expenses actually
Md, md their per diem for oil time necesssr-
" employed, and know no good reason why
he per diem should be increased. The treas
rer Of the board OF charities handles large
mount OF money and gives only small bond
q member Of the board. The busness-like
way to do would be to abolish all these minor
and require all moneys to be paid
" the state treasurer But II this not done,
70 ought to be required TO give q bond suni-
iently large to cover any moneys belonging to
he state that may come into his hands
There seems to 10 no system Of checks or
ounterchecks on any Of these boards. The
oard Of charities expend about &35O,00O per
ear They make their own contracts, audit
heir own accounts and manage matters after
heir own will There Ia no provision even for
ne investigation Of their accounts, except
hen the legislature Is seized with q spasm Of
lrtue, and examinations Of this kind are but
little value. The most critical examinations
lght to DO made Of the accounts Of every
ate institution, OF least once quar-
n, by On expert accountant, who sAvuiu
NJ without fas tfiih III sQRTaats Js ssAt 70 e.
iicers He could render valuable assist
ice by suggesting improved modes OF
eeping accounts. The governor, as the chief
Iccutlve OF the state, Is virtually responsible
r the proper management Of the state nsti-
tions, 10 enable him to be brought In closer
uch with their management, | would suggest
lat he be authorized to employ an additional
ERIK VINO should be on expert accountant,
I'd whose duty 1t should be TO examine quar-
rly, or oftener II directed by the governor,
G accounts Of oil the state institutions and
ate boards. He should also be subject to the
ders OF the governor at all times, with gu
ority to examine the accounts OF county
easurers far enough at least to protect the
ate In the matter Of state taxes and school
nd funds. The simple fact that there is u
ference Of almost 100000 in these accounts
nphaszes the Importance Of this last sug-
stion
deem 1t OF far more Importance that these
ggestions should be carried out than that
deal changes should be mada In the NUM-
RS, powers and dutlos Of the boards. FIRE.
ent changes In the laws make many and I'M
cessary complications, and 1t is better ito
dure the Ills we have than 10 fly to those we
0w not Of
Insane and Insane Asylums.
The dictates OF humanity demand that the
lderest care should be given to our unfortu-
te fellow-citlzens who have been bereit Of
cir reason No reasonable expense should
spared to provide for their comfort or to
rnish tine best medical attendance attainabe.