The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-02
THE APPROPRIATION BILL.

IL should not take much of the time of
the Legislature to pass the appropriation
bill, for the reason that IL has been most
carefully and intelligently drawn by the
House committee on ways and means and
the Senate finance committee. Indeed. it
Is not too much to say that a more care
fully prepared bill of that character has
never been reported. True, 1t calls for
more money than did that of two years
ago, but there are ample reasons why il
should. Repairs and improvements at some
of the institutions have long been needed,
and others are warranted on the ground of
economy. but the State has not been in
condition to vote money for them at an
earlier day. There is reason to believe that
committees look at the needs of the States
institutions from more intelligent point
of view than that of saving dollar re-
gardless of the possibility that such a
saving will, in the end, cost s.. For in
stance, heating plant must cost large
amount at the outset, but if it costs 81, 900
and will give far better results and will af-
ford a saving in fuel of 5000 a year it is
good policy to vote the money for the
plant. A cold-storage plant may cost
5000, but If IL can be demonstrated that
5000 or 5000 year can be saved by hav-
ing it a wise economy demands its con-
structiCn.
The committees preparing the bill had
unusual facilities for distinguishing be-
tween the real and the imaginary needs
of the different institutions. In the first
place. the legislative committee, composed
of Senator Goodwine. Speaker Marshall
and Representative Cravens. not only Wis
tied every State institution, but made an
intelligent and searching inquiry into their
conditions aud needs. wisely discriminating
between the expenditures which trustees
and superintendent would be pleased to
have and those which are necessary for
the well-being of the institutions Senator
| Goodwine had served on the previous legis-
experience. Ills associates, Speaker Mar
shall and Mr.. Cravens, are experienced
business men. Governor Durbin visited
several of the institutions with the COM
| mittee. When this committee left an in
stitution it knew what it really needed
| 1t took time to make an itemized report
and that report was before the ways and
means and finance committees. Senator
Goodwire is a member Of one committee
| and Mr.. Cravens of the other. This re-
| port was the basis of the action of the
two committees. They have listened to the
representatives of institutions, but it will
be found that in most cases the commit
| tees have accepted the suggestions of the
! legislative committee
/ 1t can be said that the ways and means
| and the finance committees, composed OF
| some of the most intelligent men in both
| houses, have given unusual care to the
| preparation of the bill which Chairman
| Sayre will take up before the House to-
day. If the bill should become law
| without other changes than the committees
may make Il will be as good piece Of
| legislation in that line was ever enacted
and much better than II it should bt
| changed here and there by senators and
representatives specially interested in this
! or that institution