The record-union., 1898-12-18

The estimate for the HOSPITALS Tor
the insane Home for Feeble Minded
Children, Home for Adult Blind and
State Normal Schools shows an IN
crease over the amounts estimated for
the preceding two fiscal years. This
is due to the natural increase in the
population of these institutions, and
the necessities Of enlarged facilities to
keep pace with the growth. I have
kept the estimate down as low as pos
sible in many cases much lower than
requested by the officers in charge Of
the institutions. 1t will be noticed
that 1 have again segregated the SAL
aries from the cost of support. I
think this Is a wise provision, as it is
in the salary roll that extravaganza
creeps In, and it is just as we'll to
curb any disposition to excessive ex-
penditures in this direction.
I have cut the estimates for support
of the Whittier State School from
S1OS. 900 to $4,000. Under the head
of the Whittier Reform School fund.
l have called attention to the large
balance to the credit of this fund,
which under the law should be used
for the maintenance of this institu-
ton. In the past the Trustees have
favored this fund with the idea of ac-
cumulating large balance with which
to erect new buildings. The Supreme
Court having decided that the fund
cannot be applied to this purpose, the
Trustees should now be compelled to
use it as the law directs.
I have not seen the reports of the
Trustees Of the Whittier State School
and the Preston School of Industry,
but I am informed that there has been
quite a decrease in the number Of in
mates of both Institutions notably in
the latter. It is quite probable that
material decrease can be made in
the appropriations for both these insti-
tutions. However, this may be left
safely to the legislative committees
having the matter in charge. I have
again included in my estimate the
amounts due to creditors of the State
for bounties on coyote scalps The
greater part of these are legitimate
claims, and the State is morally aud
legally responsible for their payment.
1 have no doubt there are among them
many that are fraudulent, but these
may be segregated from the honest
claims, and the latter should be paid
without delay.
Under the present conditions the
amount required for the support of
orphans, half-orphans, ETC., is $500, 900
for the ensuing two fiscal years. This
is an increase over my previous esti-
mate of $125,0OO, and 1 think 1 have
now placed it at a conservative figure.
The amount of claims paid for the last
half of the forty eighth fiscal year,
ending June 80 1897, aggregated S20i,-
1854; for the first half of the forty
ninth fiscal year, S195 5,520.92, and for
last half of the forty-ninth fiscal year,
$2O1 ,969.92. These figures do not in
clude any amounts paid for back
claims, which also amounted to sew
eral thousand dollars
L believe some steps must be taken
to reduce this expenditure. Either the
law must be repealed or the amount
now appropriated must be reduced. I
am not of a mind to recommend the
former, but earnestly commend the
alternative to your consideration.
The estimates furnished for the sew
eral departments Of State Government
for the fifty-first and fifty-second fiscal
years. ending June 80, 1900, aggregate
as follows: