The Hawaiian gazette., 1896-03-17

some that this had been found impos'
sible. Outside help had been procured
Rep. Rycroft asked if il would not bt
a good plan to create a new office Of
assistant to the Auditor. In his opinion
il was a crime the way some of the
books were kept Every small Office or
every island in the group should be
audited every three months. Govern
uent money should be carefully
watched.
Minister Damon said that the matter
which Rep. Rycroft referred to had
been advocated ever since he first held
office as Minister of Finance. In regard
to the postoffices, there was sent to al
other offices in the group. at stated in,
tervals, clerk of the postoffice here
for the purpose of examining into theil
condition. The same mode of proceed
ure had been recommended to the Col.
lector General of Customs. While he
could not at present give advice as &c
the creation of n new Office as pro-
posed, Minister Damon was certain that
such would be money saving one.
The subject introduced by Rep. Ry-
croft called up another matter, that OF
the introduction of bill providing for
expenditures under public accounts
This, together with the appropriation
bill for the past two years, had been
So, 400. 900. This amount would be in
creased by about 100000 for the next
two years. In order to provide for this
the license act would be changed, and
other matters arranged so as to make
up the requisite amount. The more
money put in appropriations the less
will be the amount for public improve
ments. The House has evidently the
correct idea-that the Government live
within its means. Such is its desire.
Rep. Richards had mentioned the af-
fairs of the Government as plain bust
ness proposition. There should be more
careful scrutiny on all matters in con-
nection with the Government. Where
are the appropriations going, and how
much for each purpose. are matters of
great Importance. There is not mem
Der of the House who has not worked
for money. Each one has had to cal
culate on that at the END of every
month. The first thing to be looked to
is the preparation of salaries and pay
rolls. and the last the consideration of
materials for improvements. Minister
Damon said he would rather step out of
Hawaii altogether than to have to go TO
the pay window and say to the en-
ployes of the Government, q can't pay
you: come around tomorrow"
Rep. Rycroft moved for reconsider
alton of the salary OF the Auditor Cen
eral.
Tax Collector.
Rep. Kaeo wanted to know why the
Maui tax collector was chalked down at
$500. and the Kauai man at $4,000,
when the latter collected more taxes.
l'inister Damon explained that the
Maui man had Molokai and Lanai I'M
Ter his control His territory was
much more extensive.
Rep. Robertson wanted TO know if the
amount paid was for the extent of ter
ritory covered instead of for amount
of taxes turned in. If such was a fact,
then Hawaii would have long head
start.
Rep. Kaeo said that the proper way
for the Government to pay the collect
ors was according to the amount %
taxes collected.
Rep. Winston (sotto yoce)- On that
basis the Oahu man would get about
81 900.
Minister Damon moved that the Pos
tai Bureau and the Bureau of Customs
be referred to a commit
tee.
Rep. Winston moved that a special
committee Of five be appointed. Rep.
amended the motion to three.
Carried.
At noon the House adjourned until
80 d. m