The record-union., 1897-04-02
THE PRINTING OFFICE MUST CLOSE.


which is not sustained by taxation, but
by fees.
For the same reasons the salary of
porter for the library, $1,000, was We
toed.
The bill about which the main inter-
est centered, however, was the gen
eral appropriation bill, as it was gen
orally understood that it would be
slashed unmercilfully, and that the
State Printing Office would, as the
phrase goes, 'get it in the neck The
Governor had pretty clearly indicated
what his action would be in respect
to that department, and no one was
much surprised at the outcome.
Notwithstanding this fact, when it
was known that he had actually strick-
en- out the total appropriations for the
State Printers salary, the support OF
the State Printing Office for the next
two years, and even the appropriation
of $4,000 for the compilation of the
new school books ordered, 1t created
general feeling of Indignation through
out the building, all seeming to feel
that an important department of the
State had been practically abolished
and an elected State officer left with no
power to carry out the duties which the
Constitution and the law impose on
hm, for lack Of the appropriation OF
funds.
If the opinions of the Attorney-Gen-
eral, Secretary of State and Controller
are sound, there can be no deficiency
created to run the office and the reports
of State officers and institutions will
M no
they shall be, because there will be no
money with which to do the work, the
law providing that they shall be print
ed by the State Printer.
The salaries of the State Librarian,
deputies and porter were also stricken
out, the Governor declaring that the
Office should be supported by fees:
Whether the payment of salaries from
the library fund will leave anything
for the purchase of books and maga-
zines for the next two years, is not at
present known, and in that case the
library, instead of keeping abreast OF
other States will fall a couple of years
in the rear.
AS the State, in accepting the deeds
for the Soldiers Home at Yountvilie,
assumed the obligation to support the
institution, it is a question as to how
it can do so, with the appropriation for
its support vetoed unless the inmates
can live on the memories Of the blood
they shed in defense of their country.
SECRETARY BROWN TALKS.
Secretary of State Brown, when
spoken to by a "Record-Union" report
er, declared that he was on record as
having stated that under no circum-
stances would he vote for any def
cheney in any of the State departments
for the next two years. He had given
all institutions notice to that effect a
couple of months ago, in order that
they might know what to expect, and
make the amount asked for correspond
with what their expenses were likely
to be.
He proposed to place the responsible
ity for deficiencies where it belongs,
and did not propose to have it laid on
his shoulders. The Attorney Cen
eraI and Governor have several times
declared in the past that no deficiency
can be declared for any department or
institution where no appropriation has
been made for it's support. He thought
the printing office would have to close
almost Immediately.
The Legislature has vetoed its own
acts by making an appropriation of
more than the tax levy will raise, as it
fixed the rate at 43M cents for each
year. and the Governor has carried out
what it had olready done. The only
question was where to cut, and he ex-
ercised his power in cutting out the
printing office. Heretofore the Legis-
lature has always fixed the tax rate
high enough to cover the appropria-
tions. The amount cut out of the APP
preparation bill is SG03 ,929 80, and the
total appropriations cut down will
amount to about 81 400, 900.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
Was very busy preparing a number of
opinions on questions the Governor
asked him relating to various bills, and
had no time to talk. He was clearly of
the opinion, however, that no deficiency
could be created by the Board of Ex-
aminers where no appropriation had
been made for department or an in
stitution. 1t was stated that he was
very wroth over the veto, and if such
was the case, between him and Secre-
tary of State Brown the chances are
,
deficiencies in the printing office or any
other department and the Super1n-
tendent of State Printing will have an
easy time in drawing his salary With
out anything else to do, while the poor
employees, in default of more substan-
tial fare, can pass their time in Chew
ing the rag until the next election.
CONTROLLER COLGAN
Saws that the State Printer can un-
doubtedly draw his salary under the
general law, as can his deputy, and
that the Librarian and deputies can
also draw theirs The Yountville Home
must also be supported, in spite of the
veto.
SOME FACTS AND FIGURES.
While the Legislature did fix the tax
rate at 4334 cents, it was because the
Governor sent a message to both houses
to the effect that he would not sign the
appropriation bill if the levy was left
at 46M cents, as originally fixed, and in
order to have the appropriation bill
signed the Legislature submitted to his
dietation.
Under the 43I cent rate S1O.o00,000
will be raised in the next two years at
the rate of assessment for the last year,
This, added to 81 100000 now in the
Treasury. will make S12,00o,000. The
last years assessment of the property
of the State was 81 .264 ,000.0 which
would give S10,500,0O The 2-cent
University tax gives $685. 900. If the
property of the State is assessed lower
this year the amount raised by tax