The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-02-08
THE STATES EXPENSES.
Rep. Guernsey Reads Some Signifi.
can't Figures.
CERTAIN ITEMS MORE THAN
DOUBLED IN LAST DECADE.

Attempt to Railroad Appropriation Bill
Creates . Breexe-The Finances of
the State Untversity Are To he In
spectcd-A Proposed Compromise On
the Mileage Bill--Other Business.
upkciAL TO THE PRKssl
Augusta, February 7.-Proceedings In
the House Of Representatives were en-
livened this forenoon by another tilt be-
tween Mr.. Guernsey of Dover and Mr..
Manley Of Augusta ov.r the first appro-
priation bill which was introduced last
week and tabled for printing. There was
furry over 10 last evening and 1t came
up again today by assignment. MIR.
Guernsey is the tall and good looking
young man who was ons OF the five
original candidates for the chair now &C.
cupied by Speaker Stetson. He based his
attack on the bill on the ground that the
expenses OF the state have been SO In.
creased in the last ten years tnat II the
bill is passed In its present form a cry
will be made that the appropriations 1t
makes are so large that other things must
be sacrificed. Mr.. Manley took the
position that the bill is simply the means
of carrying out the provisions of the
statutes and that II any of these were to
be altered it should be by repeating them
and not by attacking the bill. Mr.. Man
| ley informed the Legislators that he was
simply their servant and had no personal
interest In the matter. The bill came up
as the order of the day and Mr.. Manley
addressed the House In substance as fol-
lows:
II have no desire to press this appro-
priation bill to u passage today II any
member desires time to examine the mat
ter do desire, however, to make this
explanation. This bill was drafted by the
state treasurer under the direction of the
finance committee. IL Is simply a bill
which, under the form OF the law, must
DO passed before the state treasurer can
pay out my money. The treasurer had
no knowledge nor did the finance com
mittee that tho legislature had any in
tsntion of repeating any law providing
for an appropriation. / have no am
billions to satisfy. and personally l shall
not be disturbed II the bill is altered or
delayed. am simply the servant Of the
House and desire that the House should
take the responsibility in this matter.
But We are half through the session of
the legislature and the state treasurer Is
beset by towns and cities to which money
is due. The first item in this bill is one
for half million dollars for the school
fund. That cannot be paid and neither
can the money for pauper cases until this
bill is passed. i"
Then MIR. Guernsey had his innings.
He said:
81 do not wish to cast any reflections
ON the finance committee nor on the state
treasurer, who made the estimates and in
whom | have confidence. But want to
call the attention of the House to some of
the items in this bill that they may ex-
famine them and be prepared to act when
the gentleman from Augusta calls up
this bill as he has agreed to do. / want TO
call attention to some few items. Perhaps
a comparison with 1883 may not be un-
fair. In that year salaries were $50, COO
In this bill they are $4,000 find that
in 1855. fuel and lights were sl9ST and
this year they cost $780,"
MIR. Manley-There is no item for fuel
and lights in this bill.
Mr.. Guernsey-In 1855, the item for re.
pairs on public buildings was $500. In
1895, we find that item amounts to 5000.
In 1855, the state paid for printing sl6, IT'S
and now the bill is $4,000. Binding cost
then 1857. Now 1t costs $iS,U0n.
Mr.. Manley-Mr. Speaker, the gentle
man Is making statements concerning
items which are not in the bill. l ask
him that may make an explanation.
Mir. Manley then explained that the
items mentioned were in the estima ties
made by the state treasurer but all were
not included in the bill.
The Speaker--The gentleman from
Dover has the uoor.
Mr. Manley-I asked the gentleman
from Dover for permission to make an
explanation.
MIR. Manley also said that the state
printing and binding was paid for in &C
cordancs with rates fixed by a previous
legislature
MIR. Guernsey admitted that he might
have mentioned some items from the
treasurer's estimates which were not In
oluded in the bill. He claimed, however,
that thars had been u great increase in
the states expenses and demanded time
for a proper examination of the bill. 10
this Mr.. Manley assented, making. how
ever, vigorous objection to any motion
which would remove the bill from the
control Of the finance committee. MIR.
Guernsey disclaimed any intention of
doing anything of that sort and it was
finally agreed that the measure should be
assigned for Tuesday next
THE UNIVERSITY STRONG BOX
| No sooner had the appropriation bill
been thus disposed of than Mr.. Wilson of
Gorham took from the table the Senate
order in relation to salaries, etc, paid to
1 >fy,A 80 al. Tt