The state herald., 1904-09-16
THE STATE SAVES MONEY.

take at what the present RepuD-
state officers have been doing since they office
in January 1908. Not all of could possibly in.
cluded in summary brief this necessarily
be. but general idea may be given the amount OF
work done and the cost of 1t in comparison with previous
years.
The Governor.
That part of the governors work, which is probably
most important, has already received extensive
notice, not only in the newspapers of Colorado but all
over the United States 1t is necessary here
10 his record in preserving law and order and protecting
fe liberty and property. This work, however has not
occupied the majority of his time. The governor by
law member OF nearly every state board. Under this
administration these boards have had frequent regular
meetings. The governor has been present and has pre-
sided almost every of such meetings during his
term. OF these the most important the Board of
Equalization the Board of Land Commissioners the Board
of Audit the Board of Capitol Managers and Board of
Charities and Corrections In connection with the latter
all the state institutions have be visited supervised
Besides tho numerous board meetings there is much
routine work in connection with the governors Office AS
work has Just about doubled The has done it
all in busnesslike having his regular office hours
during which he has been accessible all comers. with
little red tape at all consistent with order and
decorum.
Secretary Of State.
One Of the most important Offices is that OF the
tary of state Besides the regular work of the
oHice-keepng records of various sortshe has charge
having such large cattle interests he is also
the purchasing of the state for nearly everything
except printing The business of the brand department
has from year year and is constantly becom'
ing more important and difficult 1t has been kept
strictly to date and in thorough working order under
the present incumbent, and of course, has than
paid expenses.
In his capacity purchasing agent the present secre
tary shows that for supplies and incdentas
have been practically during his admnistra.
ipN IpHa hgp tha pf md
incidentals for the FIRST twenty months more than
100000 under the present secretary the cost has been
about $4,000 The Office force has been kept low as
was consistent with efficiency.
Auditor and Treasurer.
As the finances OF the administration conducted
largely by the auditor and treasurer their two offices may
be considered together As members of the Board OF
Equalization and the Auditing Board these officers have
also supervision of the raising and expenditure of
together with the governor, the attorney general and the
secretary of state.
As preliminary. 1t may be said in brief that the pres
en administration inherited from its predecessors claims
against the state aggregatns some S250O0O for money
advanced keep the state institutions from closing their
doors OF this amount Governor Thomas had borrowed
$4,000 from the Denver clearing house and the rest
had been loaned by individuals and local banks At the
beginning of the oman administration the Legislature
appropriated general incidental fund" of s25l5OO in
addition 10 tho usual appropriation for Incidental
which amounted to 10000. This ocalled general Incl
dental fund intended take of the outstanding
debs and payments of II strictly limited in the
appropriation bill TO the first four months.
Instead of being used to pay back debts Intended
this fund used grab fund" Large amounts OF II
for extra services" and postage Some OF 1t
used. months after the payments OF had become
Illegal TO OF extra session OF the Legisa
ure Briefly. OF II used for the purpose for
which 1t had been intended by the Legislature and less
than $4,000 OF II left when the orman administration
ended In other words, the incidental expenses" OF the
orman administration had been between $4,000 and
100000
For the Peabody administration appropriation for
general incidental purposes made of s7OoOO-about
oneourh much had been actually used by the orman
administrator and $4,000 less than recommended by
the outgoing auditor necessary in his biennial report
The sum less than provided for the Incidental
OF either of the two previous administrations
II those appropriations insufficient without the grab
fund.- how could be expected that while $4,000
enough 1899 and $4,000 1901 had be supplemented
by about 100000 out OF the grab fund.- $4,000 could
be enough In 1903?
By strict economy and close supervision by the Board
OF Audit the $4,000 has been made do there s
left enough OF 1t TO amply the remaining Incidental
expenses the biennial period No economy
has ever been made by Democratic administration in
Colorado
Land Office.
When this administration began chaos rcgned supreme
in the land Office. The register not In control Of H.
except 20 very lEaltcd extent The clerks appointed
by various members NJ the land board and did con
slider themselves subordinate to the register and acted
accordingly No complete record had been kept for years
OF receipts and disbursements, There separate
ledger accounts with persons Arms which had leased
state lands. Collections OF rcnt had fallen o. aud In
Of had been paid for four years II
probably, the whole the most inefficient once in
the capitol with possible exception OF which lator
The present land board decided to change the system
and give the register control Of his force him
appoint discharge he thought nt They decided to
sell little state land, 10 make collections OF back
and cancel leases In u bonpaymcnt within certain
time and TO demand better prices both for leases tor
sales.
Under the present register those policies have been
carried out with marked success Individual ledger nc