News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1898-11-02

prior to October, 1888 we are satisfied, however, that when
this practice first commenced, and down to quite a recen'
period, the accounts so expended were small but have been
increasing from time to time until they have reached the
amounts mentioned in this report, varying with the habits
tastes and Judgment of the persons occupying the position Of
Governor,
The State Auditors since October, 1888, have allowed all
the accounts referred to in this report and drawn their orders
on the treasury for the same. Mr.. Powell and Mr.. Hale
refer your committee to Section 900, quoted above, as their
authority for so doing.
If the construction which Mr.. Powell and MI. Hale have
given to Section 900 is correct, your committee see little effect
left in Section 327, quoted above, and there is no limit to the
expenses of the Executive, or any other State officer or to the
purpose for which they may use the State money, except the
judgment or discretion of the State Auditor, and the only
need, in this respect, of a Legislature, would seem to be, to
vote a tax that should put into the treasury sufficient money to
meet the auditors drafts.
Section 543o V. S. provides, 'The fiscal year shall COM
mence on the 1st day of July and end on the goth day of June"
The Acts making provision for the support of the govern
ment from 1888 to 1896, inclusive, have appropriated money
for the then current fiscal year, and the next succeeding fiscal
year SO that the time covered by the appropriation expired the
goth day of June, preceding the session Of the Legislature.
The form of appropriation is practically the same in all these
Acts.
Section 4 of No. 10 of the acts of 1896: "The sum of
$425 1000 is hereby appropriated for the fiscal year of 1896
and 1897, and the sum of 100000 for the fiscal year, 1897
and 1898, for the purpose of paying such items against the
State as may be allowed by the State Auditor"
Sections 3 and 4 of the Act, have the same time limitation.
If your committee understand the force of these appropriation
bills correctly, the authority conferred thereby to expend the
money of the State for the support of State Institutions
and the government, expired on the goth day of June, 1893,
and the State Auditor had no authority to draw an order on
the treasury for the support of State Institutions or the
government, between June 80, 1898 and the passage of the
deficiency bill by the present Legislature, and all monies
drawn from the treasury within that period have been drawn
in violation of Section II, Chapter ? of the Constitution.
Your committee in the limited time at their disposal have not
been able to ascertain and report the particular items SO drawn
from the treasury.
If this Legislature desires to prevent further violation of said
section of the constitution in this respect, it seems to be nee
essary to make an appropriation bill that may be passed dur
ing the present session, in such form and Of such amount as
VIII cover the full period from June 80, 1895, to a period that
will be later than the passage of an appropriation bill by the
Legislature of 1900.
If it I'll thought desirable to increase the compensation of all
or any State officers not now given their expenses by statute,
it would be better to pass an act expressly granting such addi-
tons to his or their compensation than to continue the present
system.
Your committee do not recommend increasing the compen.
sation of any officer in this manner except that of the
Governor.
Your Joint Special Committee recommend the passage OF
the accompanying bill, entitled 'tAn act to amend Section
1916, of the Vermont Statutes, relating to the salary of the
Governor" which is intended to give the Governor, in add.
ton to his salary, the reasonable expenses of the executive
i 1u.u y