Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1897-02-04
HARRISBURG.

introduced, and Just before adJournlng
for the day a motion was made by Key
ser of Philadelphia to recall the Mitch-
ell resolution creating commission 10
investigate the treasury. A motloh
70 table the recall was voted down by
96 to 20. Mr. Stewart of Philadelphia
declared it to be ''the unanimous opln-
ion of the people of this commonwealth
that the resolution, which had been
sent to the senate, purporting to pro
vide for the creation of an investigating
committee, was simply decoy for the
purpose of appointing committee tnat
wouId not investigate, but would sim
ply cover up abuses in the state treas
ury.
TT is not the fault, Mr. Stewart
continued. 'sof the present state treas
urer that abuses exist, that nave come
down to him through long line OF
predecessors. In his own reports IN the
newspapers the state treasurer says ne
has over a, ,O00.O 900 Of state funds IN
banks. and the same week he writes to
the Philadelphia city treasurer saying
he had not the money to pay the war
rants from that city. He thus pro
claims the abuses
Mr. Stewart went on TO rldlcule the
last Investigation of the state treasury
the committee being then appointed 70.
carry on specific factional fight; wit
nesses were subpoenaed by the score
taken into back room, and II tner
evidence was found to be all right they
were retained Mr.. Stewart then read
some newspaper extracts, and conclud-
ed by saying that the states money
deposited in banks which carry ON most
of their business with it, and to with
draw might force the banks to close
their doors. and that is why the state
treasurer cannot pay the warrants sent
to him.
Mr.. Forcht, of Union county, one OF
the most determined of the anti-Quay
ties, in brief but impassioned speech,
DOuIbu UOb SuOlD IiIto hiI piDDSAb N'~~
tigating committee. He declared, first
that Mr.. Stewart had made no refiec-
ton upon the speaker, but there is,
he continued, little to be hoped for
from a commission now. We have seen
to-day lobbyists swarming upon the
floor Of the house, working for this
resolution Where does this demand
for an investigation come fromf | do
not know that / am ready to vote to
create any commission. The abuses IN
the state treasury are simple customs
long established Let us have judi
cious laws to compel the banks to pay
interest on state funds they hold
Then Mr. Forcht went at the senate
committee. THAT celebrated, that no
torious Lexow committee, that has
been and is failure; yes exclaimed
the speaker, with voice raised to its
highest pitch, Il will say it, it is a
shame and humiliation to the people
of Pennsylvania.
This bold attack on Quay and his
committee was greeted in various parts
of the hall with loud applause.
After other remarks Mr. Keyser's
motion to recall was carried by vote
of 93 to 70.
1t is reported that Judge Alfred
Darte, Commander of the q. A. X. in
names to Governor Hastings for the
Soldiers Orphans Schools Commission
ers instead of Morrison and Sample,
who were turned down by the Cover
nor.
Unless the most rigid economy is OBJ
served by the present Legislature in
authorizing public expenditures for the
next two fiscal years it will bankrupt
the State Treasury. A general reduc-
tion will have TO be made in the appro-
priations to the institutions dependent
entirely upon the State for support TO
keep within the limits of the revenues
To begin with, the appropriation OF 81
500, 900 to the public schools will have
to be scaled down at least million or
two. If it is not. many Of the semi
State and private charities will be cut
off without cent.
The question Of finances is the most
important that confronts the State law
makers Two years ago Governor
Hastings found is necessary TO send
special message to the Legislature call
ing halt ON the indiscriminate ap-
preparation Of public moneys. At that
time movement was started 10 reduce
the appropriation to the public schools.
1t was checked at the start by 125 mem
bers of the House signing an agreement
TO oppose such a reduction Unless
immediate action is taken by the Legis-
lature to increase the State revenues
there can be no relief for the over
crowded hospitals, insane asylums and
penitentiaries. Even if Legislation il
enacted increasing State taxation the
money would not become available be-
fore next year
The report Of State Treasurer Hay
wood at the close of December showed
balance in the general fund OF $3, 723,-
500 Out of this the money owing the
school districts, hospitals, penitentiaries
and the salaries of the State officials
must be paid when they come due.
There is still 81, 900 900 Of the school ap-
preparation unpaid, while $500. 900
must be returned to the counties in
personal property tax. These two
items alone make "a, 800, 900, nearly 81
000, 900 in excess of the balance in the
general fund.
If Mr. Haywood would recognize
these as payable at once as the persons
who are entitled to receive the money
insist, there would not be enough cash
in the Treasury TO meet these claims
Besides there would be no funds for
the charitable institutions. The money
to meet these payments must come
from the settlements made by the Aud
itor Generals Department Of corpora
tion tax between now and May 81 the
end Of the appropriation year. In other
words, to pay the present liabilities the
State fiscal officers are drawing on mon
ey collected on the taxes for 1896 which
they say should be reserved for the fis