The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-03-22
WORK OF THE COMMITTEE.
Chairman Guion Tells How the APP
preparations Committee Reach
ed It's Conclusions.

To the Editor: Yours requesting a
statement from me on the work of tho
Appropriations Committee in the General
Assembly to hand, and in reply | will
say that the time limited by you in
which YOU desire this information is 50
short that | will be unable to give you
other than cursory resume of the work
of this committee.
The Committees on Appropriation on
the part of the Senate and House, in
order to reach a full concurrence as well
as in order to expedite the labors OF
the committees, concluded to form a
Joint committee to consider the various
appropriations to State institutions.
The committee on the part of the Sen
ate was composed of Senators Baldwin,
chairman; Spence, Beasley Brown, Dur
ham, Gillian, Hoey, Justice and Whlte.
IJpon the part of the House Guion, chair
man, Cowan, Luther Carr, Thomas'
GAY. Hunter, Parker. of Halifax, Scott.
Williams. Leeper, Alexander of Tyrrel
and Hamlin.
II
each member of the joint body to say
that no members of either branch OF the
General Assembly have served any in
terest which they were called upon TO
represent more faithfully, untiringly
and with more ability than in this mat
ter of appropriations to the institutions
OF the State Their labors were per-
formed patiently and continuously from
branch of the Assembly were referred
until the close of the session.
The principle policy that guided them
in their work was directed to a fair
and impartial appropriation of the
states funds to the needs and demands
OF the various institutions, having due
regard at all times to the present condi-
ton of the State Treasury.
The needs as well as the demands and
as we'll as former appropriations, were
carefully considered and ascertained and
a full disposition shown to respond to
pressing needs as well as necessary aid
TO the various institutions without dis
elimination. except such as developed
upon a full examination OF each institu-
tons requirements.
This committee acted under peculiar
difficulties in the way of a depleted
treasury, which unfortunately could not
be expected to furnish the full amount
required by each institution without
creating an additional deficit. And
have felt that the committee was tC
some extent embarrassed by desires OK
listing on the part of various institutions
tn ohtain at the hands of the commit
tee certain demands by them deeme;
moro meritorious than the appropria'
lions requested by certain other instltu-
tions fostered by the State. And Tho
committee having ever before it the in
ability of tho State to respond in full Il
the dcrrarSs of all institutions were o
course to . considerable extent placed L
a po-,,ion of embarrassment with refer
erce 70 curtailing appropriations within
tho limits OF probable and expected reVc
MUGS. to be produced by the revenue and
machinery acts of the State, and its de
sire 10 respond to the various demands
But in my opinion so conservatively has
this committee guided its work With
view of expanding only such revenues
Us appeared to be in excess of fiXeC
charges available out OF the total revc
nues. as based upon the receipts report
ed for the fiscal year of 1908 that. tn
in relieving the treasury of the STATE
from further deficit over the revenue
Tor the next ensuing two years.
A detailed statement of the appropria
ton made by this committee having al
ready been given your valuable pape
and publication made, | presume you d,
not desire in your request for thi
article that any further information
should he given along that line. and a.
l understand you merely desired al
article on the work. with any diificultic
and embarrassment which faced 1t.
believe have covered as conciseIy a
possible the information desired
But in conclusion | desire to say tina
barring myself both the President q
the Senate and the Speaker OF the Hous
of Representatives in their appointment
have reason to feel gratifed with IN