The record-union., 1897-01-16

unfamiliar with the economies of the
building, and careless of results of their
administration, since no responsibility
for it attaches?
Let these gentlemen ask themselves
in the cool of good judgment and hon
est introspection if any one of them
would conduct a private business as
they run the Capitol during a session?
1t is said that all sorts and kinds of
costly furniture has been wheeled into
the building by the wagonload since the
session opened this winter to serve the
purposes of committees and clerks. Yet
all the committees and clerks of the
last session and Heaven knows there
We're enough of them-were we'll served,
well fitted out and accommodated with
all they needed, and a great deal more.
What has become of all the furniture
and fittings of two years ago? Rust
has not decayed nor moth eaten It. It
u.s. OF ought to be, in the building now,
as it was then.
The Secretary of State, careful and
scrupulously economic man about the
building, has kept a sharp eye over
has not been deprived of charge. 1t
is said that so careful is he of the ex
pense account that he has been known
to call in ON various official depart
ments and suggest that where four
lights We're burning three would serve,
and that where the apparent use OF
supplies was lavish he has limited very
plainly the desirability of economy in
such use. All which is creditable to
that official, and for which not single
State department has against him the
slightest complaint, but rather all COM
mend his prudence and his regard for
duty
Now, if any good reason can be shown
for deposing any such official for sixty
days, to give host of wild-eyed
rangers opportunity to buy right and
left, and scatter State money as
straw in a stall, some legislator ought
to point it out. The Political Code makes
the Secretary of State superintendent
of the Capitol building and holds him
responsible for the property in it, for
lighting. heating and policing the build
ing, and for furnishing all the offices
and chambers in 1t and for general
care
If there is any statute exempting him
from these duties during a session OF
the Legislature it has not been dis
of his authority, and a host of unneces-
sary employees are forced upon his de-
partment mostly incompetent, by the
way, is due to the presumption that as
the Legislature is the supreme body
of the people, it's resolutions, orders and
directions supersede the laws.
There is no disposition to carp or
strain at gnats in criticism of the fly
ing scandals about the Capitol build
ing. Our local reports treat the news
as it develops and the people can easily
form correct judgments concerning
the facts. We are disposed to view
legislative housekeeping with some lat
itude, since matters of so much graver
command attention.
Not that extravaganza is to be ex-
cused for an instant, or abuse of pow
er condoned. But railing is not going
to cure it, and in the past it has done
very little to rectify matters. We pre-
fer to appeal to the good sense and
common decency of representatives the
people in their wisdom have chosen. If
they prove insensible to such appeals,
there will be time enough to apply the
lash Of public Indignation with Sc
verify.