The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-03-09
AN ECONOMIC MEASURE.

What is known as the Valentine bill
has passed both houses of the Legisla-
ture and has now become
law. We are more than pleased with
the fact because it is so clearly the
right thing to enact such a law, and
because long ago the Record Union
urged such a policy regarding printing
for State Departments, and has fire.
quently pointed out that the present
system is uneconomic and unbusiness-
like
Under the present method depart
ments and officials of the State govern
ment order whatever printing is in
their opinion necessary for the conduct
of the business. in that department.
There was for many years no check
upon the unlimited orders that might
thus be made But few years ago the
Legislature took the first step in the
direction Of practical reform, by enact
ing that in the matter of reports of
State departments and officials the
manuscript should be first submitted to
the State Board of Examiners, which
body was given power to limit the re-
port to such a number of pages or
amount of printed matter, as it
deemed necessary, thus throwing out
all surplusage
This change was an excellent one and
since then the unwieldy, bulky volumes,
formerly known as State reports, have
disappeared and now we have sue
cinct, brief and crisp statements of ia ct
easily read in short time, and con-
tanning adj the matter essential. Under
the Valentine bill the State now goes
deeper into the reform movement and
puts upon each department the charge
for printing for that branch of the gov
eminent. Heretofore the whole cost Of
printing letter heads, blanks, reports,
cards, bill heads, certificates. ETC., were
charged to the State Printing Office.
This system naturally tended to pile up
enormous bills because there was no
limitation upon what any department
might order, and the Superintendent of
State Printing had no power to refuse
or even suggest economic limitations.
Under the Valentine bill a State
printing fund is created. This is to in
cllide all moneys appropriated for the
support of the State Printing Office,
and all funds received from any source
In payment for printing, ruling and
binding done in the State office. Out
OF this fund all expenses for the sup
port of the office are to be paid.
All printing necessary to be done for
any department, and rule or bound
work is to be done at the State office
and paid for out of the appropriations
allowed for the purpose for each de-
partment or official. 1t is provided that
the Superintendent of State Printing.
under approval of the Board Of Ex-
aminers. is to determine the price for
all printing, ruling and binding, to
cover the cost of labor and material,
but not taking into account the cost
of the plant at the State Printing Of
nee. He is to render bill accordingly
Tor every job done for the respective
officials and departments, and these
bills are to be audited just as are other
Claims, and to be ordered paid out of
the specific appropriation made for
eacn department. Once a month the
State Superintendent of State Printing
Is to report fully all moneys received for
service thus rendered and the money is
60 be paid into the State Treasury and
go to the credit Of the printing fund.
Finally 1t is provided that the Board
OF examiners may at any time order
transferred from the printing fund of
any officer or department to the print
ing fund of another officer or depart
menf, assmuch money.as may be needed
to meet,a deficiency.
1t will be seen that the new law will
teno TO make each officer and depart
ment careful not to exceed the sum al
lotted him or it for printed stationery.
blank books, ruling, report. blank and
sheet printing. Instead of INDUCING in
such matters without restraint, every
officer and department will be inspired
TO make a record for economy. With
every job there will. come a bill pre-
ctsely. as If the work were done by a
private concern, and the aggregate of
ali the bills must fall within the amount
allotted by the Legislature for each Of
ficer and department.
OF course there is left an appeal to
the State Board. of Examiners to have
a depicted fund replenished at the ex-
pense of another department. fund. But
II is perceived that such application will
be rare because the department to be
deprived will naturally resist the
cnangeA Thus more economic conduct
OF the offices SO far as printing is CON
cerned will result all around.
AND now here is Italy demanding
not asking-that China shall give he,
a ninety-nine years lease of a port or
the Chinese coast. England backs ur