Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1898-12-10

added to $90S1 90 makes total Of Sl4,-
270 90 against 81, $1,000 found and inti-
mated by the committee as my total ex-
penses ;and $12054 90 of this sum was ctu-
ally paid by some one tor Governor D,lling-
hams trip to New York with guard in 1889
subdivided as TO lows 1914 90 governor
and staff; 1892 two days pay allowed the
guard; $4,000 popular subscription 1879
assess m, nts paid by the companies OF the
guard, and 5000 individually paid by the
members OF the guard; being the same
character OF expense as suggested by tbs
committee as the basis OF house bill No.
345
This calculation however is not right and
is only carried out to illustrate the findings
of the committee; the relative executive
expenses OF our terms should be 1920 ard
$500 as already stated, and upon this
basis let the reckoning stand.
The committee was requested to con-
sider.and report that many important invi
tations of public character had fallen to
the lot OF my administration, and that
these, together with the Spanish war, had
unavoidably and necessarily increased offi-
cial expenses very considerably, ar d to an
amount not less than $500. 1t was also
asked that it might be considered and re-
ported that $2015 had been passed to the
credit OF the state during my term and at
my solicitation and also that impoituni
ties for guard organization, after the Yer
m ont regiment tt tor the war, had been
refused, and the expense Of such an organ
ization and muster in 1898 saved to the
state. which cannot be considered less than
$4,000, but these suggestions were not
regarded important.
The retore, since economy of administra-
ton seems to be thessnip of the iLv-stiga-
ion, you may as W, II know just how much,
as governor, really cost the state and
wratever directed out of the treasury
officially more than directed into it, shall
he considered the cost. Then from
$500, to'al efficial draft from the treas
ury, deduct $2015 which sum solicited,
received and turned to use in connection
with permanent state improvements and
further to put my administration upon an
evener with the other administrations with
in the period of investigation; also deduct
| the sum of $500 as unusual expense be-
cause of the war and then, really, as COM
pared with ordinary administrations, in On
! all around general expense way you will
see that cost the state $2654.
| Gov rnor Dillingham; raised by popular
subscription $4,000 VIII Oh went toward ex-
penses OF his trip to New York and saved
the state so much money; what l raise
went into permanent state Improvements
ar d, expenses similar to bis were provide &
for by private contribution The state
thus having full benefit OF the $2015, ask
credit as above stated.
The committee was informed that Gov
Dillingham; took the guard to New York il
1889 and allowed it two days pay, as 6
military expense, but this statement re
ccived no atttntion and no intimation of i
appears anywhere in the report, but we are
carefully told of the prudence with which
he executed many public functions, paying
the expense from his private purse; ant
that the Gettysburg trip was author z d il
the acts of 1888, and so / am led to say
that every public function suitable for tb'
state to undertake, if accepted by the gov
ernor, and all necessary expenses incurred
in carrying out such function are autho
rized under the practice so long sanctioned
in this state, as much as though directed
by special act. Such matters have Away
been left with the governor and after un
d. rstanding the subj ect all seem to recog
nize authority for what the govern ors hav
done.
l wish, also, to say that see no excel
lence in governor because he pays o
asks his staff to pay the expenses of stat
function. II it is the G. vernor's privat
function let him pay the bills, on the othe
hand, if it is a state function and conduct
ed by him officially, let the state pay th
bills in other words, the state should pa
its own bills, and in such matters the cat
of the governor is to exercise good judg
ment in undertaking and economy in dis
charging such requirements so they may
kept within reasonable bounds.
Perhaps it will be conceded that NOR
was crowdt d INTO my administration tina
into the average administration end posi-
: bly, it would have been wiser to bav
sighted more public exactions, but follow
ing the light as it was given in each in
stance, sought to do the best and as
; turns out, cost the state few hun dred do
lars beyond the ordinary record, whic
appears to be the rub.
The three affairs occasionipg this exces
were more than other governors hav
| w ueIldhtu du'l III LII tuCT inpoI'duCC IL
quired expensive representations. Th
state was called upon to be represented o
two occasions in professions the equal {
any ever seen anywhere and l did nc
think the people would want its represents
tions at these denominations in a buggy
or located wi h colonel OF two at SOU
hotel for the rake Of saving few dollar.
so provided according to what seemed t
be better Judgment, assisted by one
the most prudent state officials.
l am aware Of the disposition to max
Z the governor who costs 'hs state the lea
the greatest, but you will excuse me trol
i ary share IN such a thought. Such GO
: ernor may be the best or he may be II
poorest. My ambition was to give tt
d state suitable service in every public pa
t ,icul4r ard have it cost as little as possibl,
To put it in commercial hrase, give II
i state straight goods, all wool and yar
: wide, at the lowest market price.
/ compare accounts with Gov. d Hing ha
only because our administrations wei
nearest alike in execution OF public fun,
tions, manner OF conducting them and vo
!, ume of expense incurred in dischargir
them. We are responsible tor having dor
Il the most in certain way for the state
{ any of the governors asked to render g
u account of their stewardships, and havin
D used the talents entrusted to us as best v
knew how, have returned them and ava
the Judgment of progressive people IN
Z | mr.