The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-11-16

ority, but 1t had been done, and done, and
done. The Grant dedication exceeded the
expenses Of the Nashville trip. The S65
tickets covered all necessary expenses.
Do not remember that In 1896 Senate
bill was killed In the House authorizing
the national guard to go to New York. The
whole expense of the New York trip was
$2,572. Think 1t was all authorized.
@. After the Legislature refused to au-
thorize calling the militia outside the State,
do you still think you was authorized by
law to take four companies to New York.
Ans. Yes sir.
Wasn't the muster of August '97 the most
expensive muster ever held2
don't know
The expenses Of the Washington trip to
the Inauguration were then discussed, tab
ulated sta ement OF which this paper has
already printed.
Approved Gen. Pecks accounts for stem
ographer and clerk hire, but don't know
as the law permits it. Writing invitations to
muster, SO 90. Approved that, but don't
understand much about it, Don't know
that Gen. Peck had any authority TO pay
$18 for pictures and frames, but approved it.
AS to the Old Guard ball, it was custo.
mary for Governors OF other States to at
tend, 80 1 sanctioned it.
AS to General Peck's sublcription to
Army and Navy journal, for which the
State paid it is official, and possibly neces-
sary. AS to General Peck paying SAG for
room rent when he bal an office, don't
know much about it.
AS to making out muster roll and roster,
wasn't that covered by his salary2
l did not look into his bills al all, suppos-
ing he hal been in Office long enough to
know his rights and duties. did not
think it necessary or courteous to look into
his bills, although approved them.
Two hundred and seventy-six dollars and
forty-one cents in livery bills. 1t takes a
little more money to get some OF us around
than it does others. AS to his telephone
and telegraph bills, don't know how he &C.
complished it.
Four hundred and sixty-seven dollars for
postage bill, that would depend on what
he had to do Don't know anything about
it. Carriages for reception at Capitol, Fisk
and paid $50 or more and the State the
rest
$39O40 at Fifth Avenue hotel included
myself and staff and certain Vermont men,
the latter, guests OF ours, invited to sit at
our table.
Over Sc. 700 official expenses during the
two years OF Governor CIRCUITS term Of office
is the record shown by the vouchers.
In answer to a question by Mr. Young, as
to what ought to be done by the State to
put these matters beyond question.
/ intended to explain the tronble Of a
Governor in this direction in my message.
The Legislature should define his duties
and limit his expenditures, and lastly, to
pay the Governor respectable and credit
able sum. AS to contingent fund, that
would be good idea.
Governor Page called
Can you give any authority for official ex-
penditu-es?
/ have never looked up the law and
know nothing about it.
AS to expenses OF self and staff at Ben
nington, was very much surprised al Gov.
CIRCUITS statement. 1 did not approve any
expenses
Q. La the absence OF expires, statute al
lowing these expenses, how would you linn
it these matters?
Ans. Public sentiment will regulate that
matter. We have been drifting away
| from primitive methods for years Don't
think any limit can be set without impair
ing the dignity of the office. Any bill
would be undignified.
Under the constitution how can Gov
ernor JUS tify these expenses?
Only by precedent, stop these matters
by having an auditor who will do his full
duty. The auditor takes 1t for granted that
any bill approved by the Governor must be
right
At Bennington 1 used three tickets for
friends and paid the State for them.
Gov. Pages personal expenses at Ben.
nington the week Of the celebration was
one dollar for two meals.
Hon. G. w. Brownell:
The statute does not allow me travelling
expenses hotel bills and clerk hire. 1t,
however, allows $500 for publishing the
for travelling expenses. There is no ex-
press statute for paying anybody anything
as printing commissioner. One hundred
thirty-nine dollars and fifty cents in four
years for assessments In the association of
insurance commissioners. The above is
charged to the State Don't know how
they could charge the State against its
wishes. No authority for charges for at
tending meeting OF insurance commits.
sioners, but did it as public officer
representing the State. Think 1t was a
just bill, but unauthorized and against
constitution. Have attended four times In
eight years. One hundred thirty mine dol
lars and fifty cents in last four years for
unauthorized assessments and expenses.
Gen. 7. s. Peck:
Do not know of any law that gives me
travelling expenses and hotel bills or car
riages at the expense OF the State.
The subscription to Army and Navy Jour-
nal was uuauthoriz ed by statute. Do not
know as it was ever done by predecessors
1876 for private expenses at New York, I'M