The San Francisco call., 1896-09-22
Improvements on tie Public
Building at Sacramento
Recommended.
HOW TO LESSEN EXPENSE.
Servants of the People Not Always
Dil;gent in Seeking to
Econcmize.

tary of State Lewis II. Brown has tiled
his first biennial report with the Gov
ernor, and it will shortly go to the State
Printer. The report is one of the most
explicit in detail that has ever been issued
from the Secretary of States office.
After reciting the duties entailed upon
the occupant of the Office, the document
sets forth that pardons have been granted
in nineteen felony cases, 927 felons have
been restored to citizenship, pardons were
granted in II misdemeanor cases, SEN
tences of 40 persons commuted, IL re-
prieves of sentences granted, "a procla-
nations offering rewards in murder cases
issued, 800 land patents We're signed,
1876 notaries and 90 commissioners of
deeds appointed, 224 executive appoint.
ments made, % bonds approved and 4
proclamations issued. The report gives
full list OF articles of incorporation filed,
number of certificates issued and attes ted,
and shows the total receipts of the Office
since July l, 1894, to be $46 552 SO for fees
and sale of statutes, stationery. etc.
In speaking of the Capitol building the
Secretary of State says:
Notwithstanding the large amount of money
expended during the past few years upon the
building in repairs and Improvements, find
the interior OF many of the offices, the roof
and the plumbing of the building sadly in
want of repairs, and find that many uncom-
plimentary comments are made by visitors on
the condition OF the interior OF the building.
The entire structure should be ventilated, as
when erected ventila ton was entirely ignored.
The basement is never free from the foulest of
air. Many parts therein are as free from light
as "Egy ptian Darkness" There Is no fire pro-
lection and standpipes should be erected
reaching to the attic for use in case of fire
catching in the dome The walls surrounding
81. l1x~ ..-1..
and the layatories are of antiquatedpl plum oing
and a menace to the health OF the inmates of
tie building.
During the rains OF two winters the roof has
leaked badly in many places, requiring over
twenty tubs 10 catch the drippings, and being
OF copper and extremely susceptible TO the
heat OF the sun II is impossible TO make 1t rain
proof.
The report then recites all the improve
ments that have been made during the
present administration with the limited
funds available.
After giving list of appropriations and
expenditures and making certain recon-
mendations relating to the care of the
State archives the report recommends
the introduction of electric power to op-
crate the pumps, claiming thereby a saw
ing to the State of $1,000 annually. The
construction of well is also recommend
ed in order to secure water for irrigating
purposes and for use throughout the build
ing. This, it is estimated, would result in
a saving of $500 year to the State, that
amount now being expended for water.
The amending OF section 416 of the
Political Code relating TO the fees of the
Secretary of States office is also advocated,
as is the act relating TO the filing of certi-
ficates, ETC., and after including full es-
Inmates of all the expenditures, etc, the
report closes with the following:
To economize has been our constant aim
Rptrpnphment in Stqfa
receive the first consideration OF every Official
He Is but servant OF the people and often a
dispenser OF their money. 1t is due to the
people of California, and the taxpayers in par
tieular, that economy should be enforced in
all departments of the State government. One
should not be extravagant or careless with
public money. Because an appropriation is
made of 500, coo the sum should not be ex-
pended, simply because il is available, when a
less amount will answer the purpose for which
the appropriation was made. study should
be made how to save and not how 10 spend.
The people should be enlightened in detail
where their money is expended, and the ne
cessity for all public expenditures
Tie State Board OF Examiners should not be
clerical, but all that the title implies. Much
is expected OF the board by the people, but it
is not al present clothed with sufficient power
The board should be the legal body to exam
inc into all State affairs, and by doing away
with the worthless but costly expense OF hay-
ing members OF the Legislature make their
biennial tours the State would save thousands
OF dollars. Ii is very unsatisfactory to approve
claim A1LeT claim presented TO the board With
out thorough knowledge of said claims, the
cost of the items of supplies in the open mar
ket quality and quantity furnished, and the
labor performed. The State should get yalue
received in all transactions, ana the be neft of
a doubt when there is one. An inventory
should be made OF all State property bien-
nlally, q debit and credit account opened with
each institution and department and all prop
perty belonging to the State properly entered.
The inventory can be made by the proper Off
cials without expense and reported to the
TX
All pubic funds should be kept sacred and
intact for the specific purpose for which the
appropriation was made, nor should any ex-
penditure be permitted nor charge against
the State created unless the appropriations for
said expenditures are previously made by the
Legislature. The practi of enacting laws re-
curing the payment OF public money with out
the necessary appropriations, thereby necessi-
tating payments from other funds following
the custom first come, first served" /" causing
deficit in the general fund TO the loss and
inconvenience of regular claimants and off,
cials, and opening the doors to deficiencies, is
wrong in principle, injurious to the people in
practice and vicious from a business stand
point. All moneys received in behalf of the
state, no matter from what source or by what
person, should be paid direct to the State
treasury, and contingent and other funds not
provided for by appropriations should be pro-
hibited by law. No State money whatever
could then be expended without being drawn
from the treasury through the regular channel
1t is not sufficient for official to save what
he can 10 the taxpayers by cutting down the
tion, board or commission whenever possible
not using all the appropriation If he can avoid
doing so, permitting no deficiency, but he
should be equally watchful of other appropfia-
uons claims for which pass through his hands.
The official who makes attempt toward
economy Is not doing his duty TO the people,
and is deserving OF eensure.
From the condition OF things one would pe
compelled to believe, as q result OF investiga-
| tions, but little care has been manifested in
| protecting the interest of the taxpayers. Fre-
/ quently men follow in the footsteps of their
predecessors, keeping in the same old rut, fol-
lowing olo-time customs, without the thought
or care OF improvement or the welfare OF their
constituent. 1t is not sufficient that an Off
clal or enlploye should mechanically earn his
salsry, but If he viii he can more than save
his salary and often many times over by proper
| devotion TO the welfare of the State. An off,
eial should have not only the desire as well as
| the best OF intentions 10 do what is right, but
should make 1t his business to go out of his
way and If necessary investigate public ex-
pendiiures, gain a practical knowledge out
side of his Office as we'll as in it of the necess-
ties Tor the vast appropriations of State money
that are made. He should go into details and
familiarize himself with the conduct of State
institutions, and ascertain upon what business
| lines they are being conducted. The transsc-
tons OF this State are large, footing up mil