The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-03-22


required $250,OOO. The Governor yield
ed to Mr.. Johnsaon's judgment. Expe-
rience has shown that both erred and
were mistaken in the premises.
PRICES FOR SUPPLIES.
with regard to the charge that more
was being paid for articles and supplies
in the State printing department, and
that there was in many instances
considerably higher price paid than was
paid by persons purchasing by con-
tract, we have no means of verifying
that statement in the veto message.
But an examination of the testimony
and of the reports of experts will show
that there has been no difficulty in
these matters, and that purchases have
been made at the fair market price,
and in some instances at less than they
were being purchased for by ordinary
consumers of printers supplies.
INCREASED PAYROLL.
Regarding the increase in the pay
roll of the last two weeks of October,
in 1895, which the veto message sug-
gests was an increase made in consid-
GRAFTON of the city election in Sacra-
mento being held Immediately thereto
evidence to sustain any charge of i'm
proper conduct on the part of the Su-
perintendent of State Printing in this
direction, but that the force employed
by him at the times mentioned was
necessary for the execution of the bust
ness of the State Printing Office then in
hand
AS to the charge that employees We're
carried on the payroll who performed
no duty, the report reviewed the evil
Gence given before the committee, ana
concludes thus: Your committee ex-
onerates Mr.. Johnston for any blame in
regard to this matter"
EXPERT PRINTER.
In dealing with the employment OF
Mr.. Harrison as a printing expert, the
report covers briefly the facts as
brought out in the committee, including
the action of the Board of Examiners
and the opinion of the Attorney-Gen-
eral that the appointment was invalid
and concludes:
1T will also be remembered in this
connection that it nowhere appears
that Mr. Johnston was averse to hav-
ing an expert examine his affairs. On
perfectly willing to have it done"
ANNUAL REPORTS.
In regard to the statement in the
veto that the State Printer is required
to make annual reports embracing ali
the transactions of the office, the re-
port submits that were that rule COM
piled with the report would be merely
publication of the transcript of the
books printed which would make a
voluminous document and that the re-
ports made had been in accordance
with the custom that has always per-
tanned to the office, and which pertains
to other Offices
ACCOUNTED FOR.
In regard to the statement in the veto
message that S51 1913 81 was unac-
counted for, and after crediting Mr..
Johnston with repairs, which the COM
mittee deemed very proper, showing
that 500 294 SO remained to be ac-
counted for the report explained the
nature and use of the order book kept
by the foreman in which certain items
of account were kept, and concludes
thus:
An examination of the books would
have shown very quickly that there
was no discrepancy. In making up the
report giving the condensation of all
items, and in explaining why dis
crepancy might arise as before ex-
planned, arose the difficulty regarding
this amount, and in this we are I'M
undoubtedly correct, for it has never
been charged that any funds have ever
been distracted or any dishonest prac
tees INDUCED in, but it has been ar
gued inferentially that too much has
been paid for labor and too much for
material. If this be true it would not
affect the result as to THE figures in
the books, and this apparent discrep-
ancy vanishes also when we consider
that from it should be deducted the
credit of stock on hand as appears
from page % of the book, 5,69S 4S;
miscellaneous employees, on page -,
about 81 500; monthly employees on the
same page, sc, 800. Then there is in the
item charged up for composing over
81 900, which was the pay of the fore
man and assistant foreman, which
does not enter into the computation as
to the cost of any work done in the
office, but only into the percentage
above mentioned. Also there is $1,000
for insurance. not entered UP in the
cost of work, and the cost of moving
and some repairs"
The report expresses the regret Of the
committee at not being able to hear the
testimony of the expert employed by
Mr. Barry, to whom was submitted
printing done for the Governors office.
The expert was i'll and unable to at
tend, and Mr.. Barry knew nothing.
In regard to the printing Of gram
mars, the committee evidently believed
that Superintendent of Public Instruc-
ton Blacks evidence was sufficiently
clear and the report contained a sum-
mary of the same.
In the report is embodied the evil
dence of witnesses whose testimony
was taken in relation to the wages
paid and the committee believes the
explanation amply sufficient.
FULL ENUMERATION.
The report concludes as follows:
THE State Printing Office, as at pres
ent conducted, is run on union princi-
pies, union wages are paid, and there
is no rich contractor to bleed the State
by excessive profits. The Superinten-
dent receives a salary for his services
and nothing else.
I'VE think it would be a serious mis-
take for the State to depart from this
system and enter once more upon the
speculative period of printing by priv
ate contract.
I'VE find that there is practically no
check upon the amount Of work that
may be ordered by the different de-
partments of the State, and that the ex-