The record-union., 1896-01-22
WHERE THE MONEY GOES.


The State Board of Examiners is en-
gagged in a work that can well concern II
for a whole year, and we doubt if within
that time it can conclude it with 1ort-
nightly meetings of the board. The
task the body has undertaken is TO
find the reason why there is inequallty
in salaries for like service in State IN
stitutions; why supplies of like charac-
ter cost more for one asylum or ONCE
than for another. Having ascertalned
why such is the fact, as the Record
Union indicated in one of the earliest
of it's articles Where the Money Goes
the board will then be led Of course TO
suggest remedies and apply correctlVes.
Indeed. it has already in one direc-
tion entered upon that matter, as it has
appointed committees of asylum mama
gers to make inquiry and report to the
board.
1t will be very difficult for any reason
to be given for the charge of 50 40 Tor
-four delivered at the State Prison at
San Quentin, when -four is delivered
at the asylum at Stockton for 81 80. 1t
win be more difficult still to ascertain
why the prices for potatoes delivered
at the various State institutions range
in the same season from 90 cents TO
81 10, even making all due allowance
for graded qualities.
We apprehend that as this inquiry
proceeds it will be discovered that the
contract system is not such lovely
one after all, and it may be discovered
that very often, indeed, oftener than
not. the State would be the gamer If 1t
went into the open market and bought
without the interposition Of bids under
which combinations may be and are so
put up that the intent of the law is
really defeated.
When it comes to a question of sala-
ries and compensation it will be found
that only in rare cases is there amy
reason whatever for the marked dis
examinations in favor of one class OF
State servants and against another. II
the board is going to press into the
whole subject of Were the Money
Goes and where it should not go. and
give results to the next Legislature, LEI
it inquire into the subject of the draw
down of several salaries by one servant
of the State-in the State Capitol for
instance. Let it enter the various Of
fees Of the State In search for equanz-
ing information. and present to the next
Legislature such facts as these, for in
stance, that as the Record Union" has
expenditure of 100000 at every session
Of the Legislators for absolutely need
less employees.
It can be well asked why. if a hired
Iaundryman is not necessary at the
Folsom Prison, one is deemed a neces-
sity at San Quentin at salary of $500
and board? The Warden at Folsom is
not allowed other assistance in his Office
than the Prison Clerk. but at San Quen-
tin besides the Prison Clerk the Warden
has Private Secretary and Telegraph
Manager at salary of $3.50, with board
and room. True, the San Quentin es-
tablishment is the larger and the CORE
spondence is larger rel ting to it.
The board may find t profitable III
making up its recommendations fol
seonomy in State institutions to report
upon the question why at Whittier
where there is very large number ot
,,,,~sT- o,.y7 -,,.,a1, l. ,.r~<,- ,..1v,<,-4-~ -
cerned, one electrician and instructor
in engineering Is ample for the need
when at the Preston School of Industry
at lone an electrician and an assistant
electrician are needed, besides a con
sulting engineer. Possibly this may be
reasonably explained-we hope it may
There should be some better reason
than mere legislative dactum given fol
the fact that the Deputy Secretary Of
State is lower salaried than the Exec.
utive Secretary of the Governor: why
the State should pay 81. 200 a year fol
a messenger in the Governors Office
when his Stenographer. supposed to be
skilled and demanding a higher
grade Of intelligence than on the par
OF a messenger, receives but 81. 600, and
the Librarian OF the Supreme Court but
$1,000. and the Bookkeeper Of the Sec.
retary Of State, a most important Off.
cial, but 81. 200. andthe Clerks in the OF.
fee of the Secretary Of State but 81 500
It win not be difficult to conclude thai
the State overpays for the messenger