The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-01-24
4 custom which has existed Tor many


~ this be 40. thc< practice
should he Immediately terMt-
mated. II snch per9alsises he
allowed by law, the policy IL
most vicious one, but u they
abound only In custom, then ~
Is rcprchcrstblc In the cx-
trcmc.
Public money and public property should
never be expended or used unless With
the express sanction OF law. Tho system
Is absolutely indefepsiblc, however Il may
be viewed. and " persisted In will inev-
itably lead to the most fragrant abuse To
Illustrate: An ofhcis, or an employee may,
nrdcr such n practice. receive salary Of
$1,000 or $1,000. while the value of his per-
Qutsites may be ss large II not larger, de-
pending entirely upon the number tn his
family and their disposition for cxtrava-
giant living and social entertainment Pcr-
auisites should not be allowed under any
circumstances. and know OF no other
government that permits them II the
salary of an official or an employee be in
sufficient TO secure the best service. then
II should be increased In an open and d.
rect manner. It should be nominated In
the law and the amount fixed, and beyond
the amount fixed he should not be permit
ted to 60.
PURCHASING AGENT NEEDED.
Again. the policy obtains for each OF
these institutions to buy its own sup
plies partly after advertisement and from
the lowest bidder and partly through pri-
vate purchase. From my observation and
experience elsewhere, | am strongly Of the
opinion that this method is not only OK
travagant. but It oftcntlmes leads to prsc-
tees that are corrupt and will not bear
exposure | am also informed that 1t very
frequently happens that the supplies ad-
vertsed for and furnished do not prove
sufficient in amount to meet the necessi-
ties OF the institutions and that the bal
ance needed Ia obtained through private
purchase and at retail figures. II Will be-
perceived upon n moments reflection that
these methods do not rest upon sound
business principles, and that they put the
State at a great disadvantage. Purchases
to the fullest extent practicable should De
made in the open market. and alter due
advertisement. and those made privately
should be reduced TO the minimum point
and confined to pershable articles. sup
plies for all the institutions should be
purchased by enc person and in bulk, so
far as may be practicable. and tho sue
, cessful bidder should be required to de-
lsliverto each institution and In such guam
ltity as may be needed and to furnish ad-
/ ditional supplies OF the same character
and at similar prices, should the amount
advertised for not prove sufficient.
| IL the policy herein suggested should
meet with your approval, am quite con-
| fident that the present number OF officials
| and employees at these institutions can be
reduced and that tie supplies can be OBJ
| itained at least 15 per cent below cost as
! heretofore. ss
/ 1 therefore recommend that
the oirlcc Of steward In each
OF these institutions and of
aunrtermRstcr Iii the Confed-
crnte Home he abolished. aud
that or PurchnsinR Agent be
crentcd. with n snlary Of $4,000
! pcr annum, without amy other
! cmoInmcnts. and that he be
be required to purchase all
| supplies for the Institutions
/ named md to execute bond I'm
q sufficient amount for the
proper performance Of his
duty.
He should be assisted by two clerks at q
salary OF $1,000 each, and he should have :
contingent fund for his office OF $500 pei
4 annum for stationery and travelling ex
/ penses.
There should also be provided for enci
| OF the institutions storekeeper and gen
cral accountant at a salary not to exceed
| 5000 per annum and without any allow
| ances In the majority OF these institu
1 tons understand there Is already store
| keeper. When 1t is considered that tn
annual purchases for all these institution
exceed $4,000 the importance of the1
administration on sound business princi
pies becomes quito apparent. The publi
service should realize 100 cents on ever.
dollar contributed by the people for tn
purpose.