The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-05-17
GRAFT IN STATE TREASURY
VICIOUS SYSTEM THAT HAS
GROWN CNDER GOV. ODELL.
Lump Sums Paid to State Omcials for Ex.
penses and M Vouchers Required
Only the Elect. However. Get This
Graft-(:ratuities TO Certain Clerks.


Only the Elect. However. Get This
Graft-Gratuities to Certain Clerks.
ALBANY. May le-Gov. Odell's plan for
rigid economy in the administration OF the
State : affairs has not in any way inter-
fared with the work of the grafters upon
the State treasury. The annual appropria-
ton and supply bills passed during the
last days Of the legislative session, which
we're signed by Gov. Odell on Thursday
night, furnish many indications that the
policy of grating upon the State treasury
hv many State officials is not to be inter-
fered with.
One Of the most marked departures in
these measures from a few years ago is
the granting OF a lump sum each year to
State officials in lieu Of expenses. which
moneys are paid either in equal monthly
or quarterly installments without vouchers
being submitted to the State Comptroller
showing what expenses they are to meet.
Only those State officials who are OF the
elect and OF individual political influence
get these lump sums annually. The others,
including many OF the best men in the
service Of the State, are required to submit
sworn vouchers to the State Comptroller
before they can be compensated for travel
ling and other expenses while In the dis
charge OF their oficial duties.
Nearly $4,000 is given each year for
expenses in lump sums to twenty-eight
State officials "in full for all expenses and
Disbursements" incurred by them. The
granting OF these lump sums for expenses
are in reality increases Of salary, and, in the
case of the constitutional State officials,
AT least, such grants are in violation Of the
State Constitution. 1t is also illegal for
the Legislature to grant any State money
TO an individual for private purposes, except
for services rendered and expenses actually
incurred, and then in the performance
of ohiolaI duties. This system Of graft
upon the State treasury Is all the more
apparent when it is realized that the amount
granted these State o fficials are three
and four times more than their actual
expenses when they formerly had to submit
vouchers to the State Comptroller therefor.
When Gov. Odell established the Office
Of Fiscal Supervisor Of State Charities, he
announced that his sole view was economy.
Harry H. Bender, machine politician Of
Albany. was appointed by the Governor to
this Office at a salary OF 5000 Mr.. Bender
has been in Office about year. His travel
ling and other personal expenses while on
official duty during that time and up to
May aggregated 1852 os. as shown by his
sworn vouchers filed with the State Comp
,roer. 1t is not to be supposed that Mr..
Renders expenses will be larger in any
year than during the first year Of his in
cnmbency in Office. when. not being familiar
with charitable work, he was obliged to
familiarize himself with the State institu-
tons through personal supervision and in
spection. Yet there is an item in the annual
appropriation bill signed by the Governor
which gives Mr. Bender $500 annually.
payable quarterly, in lieu of his expenses
and disbursements as Fiscal Supervisor.
Any one who knows Mr.. Bender also knows
that, if he has the privilege OF retaining all
the 81 500 which he does not spend for
travelling and other expenses. he is
likely to spend less for such purposes than
he has spent the past year.
Besides Supervisor Bender. Ma jor George
" Hobbs, who is the brains of the Fiscal
Supervisors office. and the inspector of
buildings under Mr.. Bender, visit the State
eharitable institutions frequently each
year. Their expenses during the past year
were 1893 40. 30 that the total travelling
expenses Of Mr.. Bender and all his en-
ployees last year were only 1885 SIS. or
over 500 less than 1t is proposed to give
Mr. Bender for his personal expenses.
which is practically equivalent to adding
Il ono to Mr.. Bender's already munificent
salary Of $1,000. The expenses Of Mr..
Bender's employees in visiting the State
charitable institutions will not come
~, Of this personal fund of $500,
~ thn
appropriation for the Fiscal Supervisors
Department. In addition, the Governor
approved yesterday an increase from
T. 900 TO 8, 900 of the salary OF Mr.. Bender's
private secretary.
The most glaring instance OF this kind Of
graft is in connection with the State De-
partment of Public Works In lieu OF
travelling and other expenses while on
official duty-the Superintendent OF Public
Works, Charles Spencer Boyd, is allowed
by an item in the appropriation bill $500,
payable monthly, and Mr.. Boyd's deputy
is allowed 81 900. also payable monthly. |
A. a matter Of fact, it Ia not believed that |
Mr. Boyd is away from Albany long enough |
or often enough to have expenses which are
4 proper State charge in excess Of $500
e.nr But it should be remembered that |
6r Boyd is a college chum Of Gov. Odell, |
Md that before he was appointed Super |
ln'endent Of Public Works he had been |
boxing for a State clerkship through the !
Governors influence. But the Governor |
could not permit his old college chUm to |
accept an inferior place. 80 he made |
Mr.. Boyd the Superintendent OF Public |
Works at a salary of 5000.
|, might be interesting to know what
have been the expenses Of the State Super |
h eEdent Of Public Works for some years |
hack, during a period when such expenses |
were paid by thu State Comptroller only |
upon sworn vouchers. James Shanahan |
vas Superintendent of Public Works in |
1 His expenses that year we're s44ss.