Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1898-11-25

Sometimes this expenditure has been
| included in an account made out by the
governor against the state; sometimes it
has been included in an account made out
in the name of the quartermaster general
! against the state, and sometimes In an &C.
count in the name of the adjutant and in
! spector general against the state; and
sometimes it has been carried into and in
termngled with the accounts of the militia.
In whichever form these accounts have
been made up, they have been approved
| by the governor and presented to the audi
tor. When so presented to the auditor,
the auditor has assumed that the govern
or's approval was sufficient warrant for
| the payment of the account, and has drawn
his order on the treasury for the same,
! without question.
EX-Governors Dillingham;, Page and
| Grout appeared before the committee and
each stated that this custom was their au-
| thority for such expenditures.
This custom of incurring and method of
! paying such expenses originated long be-
| fore October, ISIS. Your committee have
| had no time to investigate these matters
infinitely, prior to October, lSSs; we are
satisfied, however, that when this practice
! first commenced, and down to quite a re-
cent 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 gov
ernor.
The state auditors since October, 1885,
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 sec
ton BOG, quoted above, as their authority
for so doing.
! II the construction which Mr.. Powell
and Mr.. Hale have given to section 306 is
| correct, your committee see little effect left
in section 321, 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 re-
spect, of legislature would seem to be to
vote tax that should put into the treasury
sufficient money TO meet the auditor 5
drafts.
To L'gaIiLe Certain Appropriations.
Section 5430 V. ). provides, "The fiscal
year shall commence on the lst day Of July
and end on the 30lh day Of June The
acts making provision for the support of
the government from lSSs to 1896, inclu-
siye, have appropriated money for the then
current fiscal year. and the next succeed
ing fiscal year so that the time covered by
the appropriation expired the 30,h day Of
June. preceding the session Of the legisla-
ture. The form OF appropriation is prac-
! tically the same in all these acts.
Section , Of No. 10 Of the acts Of ls9G:
The sum Of S42i, 600 is hereby appropri-
ated for the fiscal year Of 1896 and 1897.
and the sum of 500, 900 for the fiscal year
! 1897 and ls9S, for the purpose Of paying
such items against the state as may be al
lowed by the state auditor"
Sections . and Of the act have the same
! time Limitation. II your committee I'M
derstand the force of these appropriation
! bills correctly, the authority conferred
| thereby 10 expend the money Of the state
! for the support Of state institutions and
the government, expired on the 30.h day
Of June, lSgS. and the state auditor had
no authority 10 draw an order on the treas
my for the support of state institutions or
the government, between June 80, lSgS,
and the passage of the deficiency bill by
the present legislature, and all moneys
| drawn from the treasury within that period
have been drawn in violation of section
| Il, chapter ,, Of the constitution.
Your committee in the limited time at
| their disposal have not been able to ascer.
/ tain and report the particular items so
| drawn from the treasury.
! II this legislature desires to prevent fur
! Their violation Of said section Of the con-
stitution in this respect, ii seems to be
| necessary 10 make an appropriation bill
that may be passed during the present
session, in such form and Of such amount
as will cover the full period from June 30,
| lS9S, 20 period that will be later than
the passage Of an appropriation bill by the
! legislature of 1900.
A Final RtComme ndatIon.
| II it is 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 additions to his or their
! compensation than TO continue the presen:
! system.
| Your committee do not recommend in
! creasing the compensation of any officer
| in this manner except that of the governor
| Your joint special committee recommend
! the passage Of the accompanying bill, en-
| titled IAN act to amend section 1916, of
! the Vermont Statutes, relating to the sal
| airy of the governor" which is intended
| TO give the governor, in addition to his
salary, the reasonable expenses of the
executive department.
Respectfully submitted