The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-15
LAWLESs EXPENDITURE.

1t is well known that for years the trus-
tees or other managers of a part of the
States institutions have applied the appro-
priations made by the Legislature for spe-
cific purposes to any expenditure which it
may please them to make. The appropria-
tons are made for specific purposes, such
as administration, which provides for the
compensation of officers and employees; sub
sistence and clothing, and office. domestic
and outdoor departments. The latter in
cludes most varied items Of expenditure
such as furniture fixtures, bedding and
household equipments freight and trans
portation. fuel light. stationery and print
ing. Take the insane hospitals and it will
be found that during the last fiscal year
administration cost S1S6S3S subsistence
$149.56O; clothing. SASS; office. domestic and
outdoor departments. s126,S26 Nearly the
same ratio of expenditure under the four
general heads exists in most of the other
institutions as is found in these hospitals.
The Legislature makes the appropriations
for distinct purposes. This being the case
1t is violation of law to divert any of
the money devoted to subsistence, for in
stance. to any other purpose. Neverthe-
less. ii has been done for years in most of
the institutions. One of the reasons why
some trustees superintendent and di-
rectors are making such loud demands for
an increase of the appropriation for MAIN
tenance is that they may divert portion
Of 1t TO purposes not contemplated By law
and which are in violation of law. few
40 ha r;,,to -
was before the ways and means committee
demanding with much vehemence a larger
appropriation for maintenance and repairs
He portrayed the terrible condition of one
of his buildings to the committee, but when
closely questioned he confessed that he had
diverted from the maintenance and other
funds. TO set up a professional laboratory
sum that would have put the building in
repair. the condition of which he stigma
tized as an outrage upon civilization.
The state auditor has put an end to the
abuse practiced by the prisons of drawing
from the appropriations for future year
to pay the expenditures of the year pre-
vious. To make good the prison deficits,
which have been covered up by these loose
and lawless practices. this Legislature will
be obliged to appropriate about $4,000. 1t is
said the ways and means committee con-
tempated adding clause to its bill which
will make it impossible to use money appro-
priated for maintenance or any other spe-
cial purpose for objects for which the Legis-
| lature would not vote money directly. II
may be added that members OF committees
| who have visited State institutions have
| found that larger expenditures have been
| made for official quarters and furnishings
| than they believe necessary. This criticism
| does not apply to all of them perhaps not
| to half of them; but the tendency to elab-
crate and expensive furnishings for the res
| licences or rooms of officials is one which
| the members of the committee under whose
| sc neral inspection such expenditures come
believe should be stopped. The use of any
| fund for any other purpose than that to
which it is specially appropriated is viola
ton of the expressed purpose of the Legis-
| lature and should be prohibited.