The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-03-15

SEATTLE, MONDAY, MARCH Is.
FAKE ECONOMY.

As q slight example OF the biundsrs
which the Popuiists committed under the
pretenss Of economy. the manner IN which
the state militia was dealt with should
be considered. The appropriation for the
support Of the militia was cut down TO
8. go for the two years. This was due 10
the bitter and senseless hostility which
certain OF the Eastern Washington men,
bers have to the citizen soIdlery OF this
state. who have done arduous and poorly
paid services tn the past.
But while cutting down the appropris-
ton. the legislature left untouched the
other laws upon the subject OF the militia.
The fund for the maintenance of the
militia IL raised by q specific tar. nxed ny
Law. amounting TO one-ffth of a mill upon
property valuation. This fund amounts
annually 70 about 10000 or TO SO COO in the
two years. No change having been made
In the law by the present legislature. this
amount OF money will continue TO be
raised by means OF taxes upon the people:
but 81 60 of II must remain untouched in
the treasury.
The military fund cannot without direct
legislation. be used for any purpose save
that for which IL was directly raised.
There is no such legislation authorizing
It's use. AS a result OF this laundering
legisla ton. passed because OF senseiess
hostility 10 the militia. the people will con-
tinae To pay their fun amount Of taxes
frsrf he ~ s.sf ali
though the money were TO be expended for
the purposes for which IT was designed.
but nine-tanfhs OF the money so raised by
taxation must remain unused In the
treasury.
Nor 10 this all. The other laws govern
comes necessary TO call the militia into
service at any time. the officers and men
are entitled TO their pay and subsistence.
which viii have TO be furnished. but which
cannot be paid for In the absence OF the
necessary appropriation. Warrants viii
have to be issued. deficiency created.
and on every dollar OF warrants so issued
an interest OF S per cent. viii have to be
paid. And all this while there will be
lying Idle In the treasury money raised for
this specific purpose. bat which cannot be
paid out because the legislature refused
10 make tie necessary appropriation. on
the false pretext OF economy.
II there had been an honest intent 20
economize In the expenditures for the
mi..ds. IL would have been manifested in
temporarily pay thu bills The legislature
could have abolished this special tax. and
amended the militia laws so that the
necessary expenses OF the militia should
remain no greater than the appropriation.
They did nothing of this kind. however.
They left the expenses of the militia pre-
ciseiy as they were before. but refused to
Pay those expenses for the present. Ieav-
ing them to he met by deficiency appro-
priation 20 be made at the mex, isgis.
lature.
This lie the record which was made I'm
dealings with all departments of the pub
lie service. Expenses were left as they
are. salaries remain practically untouched.
few suparnuous officers were cut of. Even
the much denounced land commissioners,
body which has fully completed lie
services for the performance OF which 4,
was created. and tho abolition OF which
was recommended by the former members
themselves. has been left IN existence.
with practically no duties left TO be per-
formed. but with handsome salaries TO be
drawn.
An examination OF the entire Iisi of bills
passed a, the session of the legislature
shows but one single measure which re-
duoes tbs number OF state officers. which
is house btu No. ss4. which aoolishss GER
tain boards of trustees. The positions
thus abolished are mere than mace Up for
by new ofssees created. such as the state
read commission snd The bureau % labor.
The only thing eons Is TO cut down the
appropriations 10 pay fos the work The
sole result Is that x the appropriation
ere insufficient IN any OF the departments.
deficits Will ss created. which vii have
TO la met by legislation TIVE years hence,