Omaha daily bee., 1902-09-26
ECONOMY LEAVES SURPLUS
Comparison Of Results Of Republican and
Fusion Management.
SAVE MONEY IN STATE INSTITUTIONS
School of Instruction Of Modern
Woodmen Discusses the Read
justmtnt of Insurance
Rates.
From a stan Correspondent)

CFrom a Stan Correspondent
LINCOLN, Sept. 25.-Cspccial Moth
ing has done moro toward exposing the
extravaganza Of the fusionists in managing
the affairs of the state than the economy
and busihess-like methods Of the incumbent
republican officials. An examination Of the
records d~Iscloses the fact that there now
remains OF the total sum appropriated
for the maintenance of the various de-
psrtments Of the state Institutions a sur
plus OF $3.50, 225. So, and an unexpended bal
ance OF s4S5, 900.
How different is this from the condition
OF affairs when the fusionists went out
Of power! The fusionists entirely cx-
hsusted the appropriation and had a
shortage of S149, 600 in the form Of unpaid
bills.
The difference in favor Of the republican
administration is the difference between a
surplus Of 1888, 1856 and a deficiency OF
S149, 900, or 1898, 225.65. This difference,
so large as to be almost startling. is due
to economy on the part Of the republicans
and wanton and reckless prodigality and
extravaganza on the part Of the fusionists.
The principal saving has been made in
connection with the state institutions. These
were the principal spoils of the fusion
leaders. Into them more than 200 relatives
and friends Of fusion leaders were clandes-
timely smuggled, there to be housed, fed
and often clothed at the expense OF the
state. When the fusionists turned over
the institutions there we're 227 people
being fed and sheltered in them who were
neither employed nor inmates. At one in
stitution two separate tables were being
maintained for twenty-seven fusion para
sites. At another, one-quarter of the ac-
commodations was monopolized by rela-
a. - AkaV2
At another outsiders we're taken in and
boarded at the states expense and for
which the state received no compensation.
And still at another private house rent and
Office rent were paid in coal and groceries
stolen from the state, while at another
a fusion newspaper plant was given three
rooms with light, heat, power and a monop-
oily OF the job printing, for all of which the
dear taxpayers has to go down into their
pockets and settle.
Records Are Destroyed.
At the Beatrice institution a fusion su,
perintendent, after having made away with
nearly everything that was not riveted
down, destroyed the records to conceal his
crime. There are yet warrants in the
hands OF the present superintendent of that
institution that we're issued against APP
propriations made by the last legislature
that have never been called for, The pre-
sumption is that the claims, which were
filed before the fusiOnists went out Of
power, were fraudulent and the best evil
dence Of this is that the warrants, though
issued nearly two years ago, have not as
yet been claimed by the individuals in
whose name the claims were filed and the
warrants drawn.
These and other fusion raids on the treas
ury wiped out the appropriations and
brought about the largest deficiency in con-
nection with current expenses the state
has ever been called on 70 pay.
Possibly the most remarkable showing for
economy is made by the two superintend-
ents OF the Institutions for the insane. More
than a year ago the hospital at Norfolk
was destroyed by fire. and shortly there
after the 29s Inmates of that institution
were divided between the hospital at Lin
coin and the asylum at Hastings. Not
withstanding this large and sudden increase
in the number of inmates at these institu-
lions, superintendent Greene and Kerr
have succeeded in managing the affairs o.
their respective institution so
as to have a large surplus at this time
The unexpended balance of the appropria.
ton for the Norfolk hospital is 81, 1885
and the surplus IN the appropriation fol
IL I aoN AhhA 20 fNfeN@F' 49, -
the Lincoln hospital &3,364.S3. This is the
best showing for economy that has evel
been made since these two institutions were
established, and that, too, in face CT un'
precederted prices for provisions and fail.
ure OF crops which compelled the state Il
go into the market for potatoes and otheI
articles Of food usually grown on its owl
land.
The Institution for Feeble Minded You'll
at Beatrice has a large surplus to its credit
Though the number eof inmates has in
creased. and, Though the Institution haI
been brought up to a very high standard
Superintendent Johnson has conducted /
so that the surplus in the funds at thi
time lie $23, 4S3. 38,
The term surplus in this connection
means that the Institutions have been man
aged for that much less than the cost esti
mated by the legislature. the unexpende,
balance OF the total appropriation for tn,
departments and institutions being s4S5,
900.
where Did Money GOT
The question has been asked repeatedly
what did the fusionists do with the none
appropriated, and how did IL happen tina
when they went out OF Office they left be
hind them s149 900 Of unpaid bills?"
That question no enc but those who DIS
sipated the funds can answer. The none
was not expended for improvements, 10
the buildings were in a sadly dilapidate
condition. At the Kearney Reform schOC
the buildings were so near a complete wrec
that they had 10 be propped up until re
pairs could be made. The money was nc
expended for current needs beyond an OF
binary degree. II took a large part Of
TO support the 227 fusion guests. and
took a large part OF IL to make up the ban
accounts Of some who were holding ono,
Some OF 1t went to Your Uncle Jake
Wolfe for pigs, which he sold the state q
prices ranging as high as Sl24 each. Som
OF Il went for drugs that were never deliy
cred. and for linen. laees and fancy DIRE.
goods that were charged to the state a
groceries. but that were for the privat