Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-11-24
Of the Committee Appointed
to Investigate Accounts of
State Officials.
A BILL INTRODUCED
Reasonable Expense For Himself aud
stan When the Legislature Is Not
In Sessiou-Expense Accounts of
Various State Onicers
ttrom Our star Correspondent

Montpelier, Nov. 2l.-Ihe special com-
mittec appointed to investigate the ac-
counts of the State officials, made re-
mort this morning at $3.50. The report is SO
complete as TO need no comment, but with
ii the committee reported a bill whichpro-
vdes that the governor can incur req
sonable expenses for himself ana stan
outside of the time of the sessions which
shall toe paid by the State. No action was
taken in either house on the report to-
day.
To the Senate and House of Representa-
tivCs:
Your special committee. appointed under
the Joint resolutions OF the Senate ana
House, approved November 3. 1875, 10 IN
yCstigate and report as 10 the expenses Oh
state officers and States attorneys. ana
tho Joint resolution which was adopted oy
the House, November and by the Senate
November 10, 1898, directing said commit
tee to investigate and report what sums
of money, If any have been drawn from
the state treasury in violation of section
!, of chapter OF the Constitution of the
State, submit the following report:
Your committee nave examined all the
vouchers for payments made from the
treasury upon the expense accounts OF the
governors. of the adjutant and inspector
general and of the quartermaSter general
since October /. lSSS of the accounts Oh
til. supcrintendent of education since De-
C,rnber l. lSg2. of the accounts OF the sec
rotary of state and the State treasurer
since October /, lSsp; of the accounts OF
the tax commissioner ana serSeant-at-
arms and of the State auditor since Octo-
bar l. 1874: of the secretaries of civil and
military affairs since october l. 1855, and of
the accounts OF States attorneys Tor
travelling expenses, hotel bills ana dis
bursemcnts since December l. lSS
Your committee find that no money has
been paid from the treasury on the ac-
n.a..Vas g.s a NH.aNf n
since December |. 1892. that are not fully
authorized py statute. Mr.. stones expense
account has not reached the statutory
limit in any year.
The State treasurer, Mr.. Field. has
drawn no money from the treasury for
travel or hotel bills. All moneys paid out
on his accounts since October 1880. are au-
thorized by law. being only for postage,
express. stationery and kilograms
The state auditor has received no mon
cy from the treasury in excess or what
is authorized by statute. The statute ex-
pressly provides for the payment of his
necessary expenses.
The sergeant-at-arms: The statute ex-
pressly provides that he shall also be al
lowed reasonable compensation for I'M
usual services when they become ncces-
sary i'm the performance of the duties OF
his office" We fail to find that he has re-
cciVed any money in excess OF what the
The uuartermas ter-general: Section No
1924. V. s., provides for his salary and sec
ton No. 1870, Y. s, provides for the pay
mont of the expenses necessarily incur
red in his department
Since October l. lSSS Gen. W. II. Gilmore
has received no money from the treasury
on his personal expense account in excess
Of what is allowed him by statute, II, as
YOUR committee believe. section No. iSS2
in connection with section No. 1896 gives
him the travelling expenses necessarily in
Cured in examining and inspecting the
various armories and attending company
and regimental drills or parades. His to-
tai account fer travelling expenses, hotel
bills telephone and telegraph expenses
and postage for the ten years is l,SS67O,
which your committee find was neccssar-
iy incurred in his department, and believe
TO he very economical and reasonable.
The inspector of finance: Section 5S2l,
V. s.. gives him salary with necessary
expenses other than rent, fuel and lights,
TO be apportioned by tho State treasurer
among the several corporations and insti-
tutions examined" Assuming that the
several corpora tons and institutions pay
ing these expenses would he careful that
he received 10 more than he was entitled
10 have. We made no examination of his
accounts as the State treasury is not af-
fected thereby.
The commissioner of State taxes: Sec
ton No 1922, V S. THE annual salary of
the commissioner Of State taxes shall he
$500; he may appoint a clerk whose sal
airy shall not excetd $500" Mr.. Foster
has charged in his account, and received
from the treasury, travelling expenses and
hotel bills to the amount Of sls+.25, since
October l. 1874 Mr.. Foster informed a
part OF your committee that he supposed
at the time he made his charges that he
was entitled 10 the same, but did not ex-
anime into the matter, as he was inform
ell other State officers were charging and
receiving travelling expenses and hote
hills. He further says that If the statute
does not give him his expenses in add
ton 10 the salary he desires to return
the same to the treasury.
The secretary Of state: Section No. SSlS
V. S. Tho annual salary OF the secre-
tary of state shall he siToo"
Section No, 53i9 V. S. THE salaries OF
the State treasurer, secretary of state
State auditor, adiutant and inspector gen
eral and quartermaster general shall b,
in full compensation for travel and at
tendance upon the General Assembly anC
for services rendered during the year. in
Guiding clerk hire; and no account FOL
fuel, lights or rent shall be allowed I,
such officers"
The secretary of state and State treasur
er are also insurance commissioners anI
their fees as such are fixed by statute al
follows: Section No. ii72 V. S
They shall receive On per cent. of tn,
fees provided by this chapter, which shal
he In full for their services and the ser
vices of their deputy" Since October ]
1890. Mr.. Rrownell has charged and receiv
ID from the treasury travelling expense
and hotel bills to tho amount of $50 q
secretary of state.
AS insurance commissioner.
For paid for travelling expenses. .s23
For paid for clerk for preparing laws
for publication ......................1 T6
For paid for gas during preparation
of laws for publication ,............. 3.4
For paid for engrossing bills ..,......, sc
For paid travelling expenses attend
ing national convention of insur-
ance commissioners ...................l0 3.
For paid for assessments of national
convention OF insurance commission
ers .... ...... ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. IO.t
He has also received. In addition to tn
above amounts. his full share of the
per cent. OF the fees OF the insurance de
partment.
The secretary OF civil and military al
fairs: Section No. S325 v. 8. 1.-The salary q
the secretary of civil and military affair
shall be 500 for the biennial term"
Section $3.50 V. 8. "The salaries OF III
secretaries of civil and military affair
- shall be in full compensation "a
all the duties pertaining to their respe,
tive Offices. including ONCE rent and tran,
porting books. records and stationery
and from the seat OF government"
Mr.. Sault has charged and receive,
since Oct. l, 1886, In addition to his sa
airy. the sum OF SIS for services and s.
for travelling expenses. No other seer,
tary of civil and military affairs ha
charged or received any money not AZ