The Portland daily press., 1900-07-25
Constitutional Amendment is
Not Mandatory.
Especial TO THE PREss.1

Old Orchard, July Ex-Governor Pow
ers is heartily in sympathy with the
movement Tor the establishment of the
office of state auditor. On the veranda
of the Seashore House, yesterday, he
chatted with reporter of the PRESS
about various matters, and thus expressed
himself in relation to the constitutional
amendment to be voted on in September:
Such provision should have been
made years ago. No corporation doing
81, OOO, 900 worth OF business annually
would think of getting along without an
auditor. Maine, New Hampshire and
Wisconsin are the only states In the
Union that do not have such an officer.
The Governor and council are an auditing
board, but it stands to reason that one
man, skilled accountant, could do the
work better than a board of eight, who
devote only portion of their time to the
affairs of the state.
Beside, believe the books will show
that the state pays out as much now, in
extra fees for services of committees of
the council, as would be required to hire
a regular auditor. It costs, approximate
ly, about $1,000 a year for committee
work in auditing pauper bills alone.
About $3.50 is paid out every year for
auditing the treasurer s accounts. And
so it goes. 1t would not only cost the
state no more for an auditor than is now
paid for the auditing of bills, but such
an officer could save the state thousands
of dollars every year.
Under the present slip-shod system a
bill that has been referred to one commit
tee and turned down is likely to be pre-
ssnted in some 9th er form, and go to an
other committee for consideration. ] have
known of a bill coming up three differ
ent times and being referred to as many
committees.
members of the council like, of
course, to keep in fellowship with their
constituents, and have no doubt that
sometimes bills go through which would
never get by an auditor. 1t would be
his duty to see that the law was strictly
lived up to. He would be expected to
strictly enforce the rule, whereas mem
bers of the council, in the rush of exc
cutive business, are liable to let matter
slide instead of making trouble about it.
Many years ago, when the business of
the state was far less voluminous, the
the work of his council. But it is i'm
possible for the Governor to look over
every bill now. If he did, he would find
time for nothing else. And Governor
doesn't want to be in a perpetual wran-
gle with his council.
eff we should establish the office of
auditor, the state should make a practice
OF annually publishing his detailed re-
port. Such a report should show where
every dollar OF the states money has been
spent. Who Of us now knows how all the
states money is ex expended? Bills, receipts
and accounts are pigeOn-holed in the
state house, and the public never sees an
itemized statement of expenditures, for
no such statement is ever made.
The substance OF this whole matter
is that the affairs of this big state ought
to be run on strictly business principles
just as much as are the aft airs of any
prosperous corporation. Under the exist
ing plan, great lack OF business method
is daily exhibited. The election of q sta te
auditor, would I believe remedy the
matter.
I'm some quarters talk has been made
that the Governors council might be
abolished II an auditor is to be elected.
Auditing bills is but a small part of the
duties of the council. Acting upon the
Governor IS nominations, hearing petitions
for pardon, attending to committee work
in relation to prisons and other institu-
lions are duties which require the exist
ence of the executive council
''IO abolish the council would be out
of question, but believe every business
man VINO will give the matter his careful
consideration Will agree with me that
the establishment of the Office of state
auditor would save the state every year
an amount equal to many times more
than his salary.
Another thing which should not be
overlooked is that the adoption of the
amendment to come before the people on
election day does not have the force of
creating the Off ce of state auditor. 1t
simply opens the way for the legislature
to establish such an office, if it sees fit
The legislature may check the whole
thing il it pleases. Without the adoption
of the amendment, the legislature is
powerless to consider the merits OF the
proposition.