Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1904-11-18
.EXTRAVAGANCE CHARGED
JOINT COMMITTEE REPORTS ON
STATE AFFAIRS.
Auditors Accounts Correot-System
of Office Needs Reorganization -
Shiftlessness in State Institutions
Legislative Proceedings Of Week.

Legislative Proceedings Of Week.
The sub committee of the joint
committee on claims, w. A. Lord
chairman for senate and Linus
Leavens chairman for house, reported
to the general assembly at Montpelier
yesterday on its investigation of the
conduct of state institutions and the
increase in state expenses. The re-
port shows that the auditors accounts
are substantially correct and that he
has made improvements In the sys-
TEN of book keeping, originating DUR
ing O.. M. Barber's incumbency Ac-
counts of state officers, commissions,
etc, for per diem and expenses dur
ing the first six months were not all
subscribed to under oath according to
law and accounts for personal ex-
penses were not always accompanied
by proper vouchers. In some In
stances where state officers, commits
sons, boards, etc. are allowed certain
sums for specific purposes, as clerk
hire, stenographic assistance. ETC.,
excessive expenditures have been
made and proper economy has not
been practiced. This is most notice.
able in the accounts of the state board
of health. state laboratory of hygiene,
and the fish and game commission.
The report charges carelessness and
lack of business methods in the pur-
chase of supplies for state institu-
tions, retail prices being generally
paid resulting In waste of state mon
ey. Many directors and trustees do
not attend to their duties as they
should. and other matters have been
noticed which will be investigated by
special committee.
The report recommends a fireproof
vault for the files, papers and vouch-
ers in the auditors office; that the
office at Montpelier should be kept
open throughout the year and better
equipped: a system of double-entry
book keeping, competent accountant
with necessary stenogra phic assist
ance, recurring increased appropria-
tion of $4,000, and that the appropria-
tion year and the fiscal year be
brought together.
Friday.
The senate passed the bills relat-
ing to the preservation of public
health: creating additional polling
places in certain towns; Incorporating
Sunset Lake water company; the
Morrill, hall bill; the house bills pro-
viding for the registration of births.
pollution of sources of water supply
and relating to the records of the
auditor of accounts; also, after
slight amendment, the bill providing
for higher instruction of advanced
pupils, and the bill extending the
powers of states attorneys. Senators
Pierce, Fullington and Prouty were
appointed a conference committee on
the house bill relating to deer, moose
and caribou. The house joint reso-
luton providing for the hiring or
clerk to the joint committee on tenn
perance was adopted. The bill to
protect the monument and burial lot
of William French of Westminster
so amended that a bronze tablet shall
be placed on the monument, and that
the work shall be done before the
money is paid, was ordered to a third
reading.
The house killed several bills among
them one providing for the attach
ments of a copy of the freemans
oath to cards of Instructions to vot-
ers; one giving the railroad commits
sion jurisdiction over telephone COM
panies making a close season on
deer, moose and caribou from now
until 1908; making the open season
for deer last but three days; provid-
ing an appropriation for photographic
work.
House bill 365, making a close sea-
son on deer until 1908 was ordered TO
n third reading. The bill legalizing
the grand list of the town of Jamaica
was passed. The bill providing for
the annexing of part of the town or
Lowell to the town of Albany. was
ordered to third reading in spite OF
a protest from citizens of Albany who
do not want the territory. The house
bill prohibiting graft in connection
with public business was passed.
Gov. Bell sent to the senate these
appointments: State board of agri-
culture, George Aitkin of Woodstock,
Ernest Hitchcock of Pittsford and
Dana H. Morse of Randolph; the lat-
ter being the new member; state
board of health, DR.. Charles 5. cav
erly of Rutland; supervisor of the in
sane. George S. Foster of Putney;:
trustee of the Vermont industrial
school. Joseph w. Fowler of Man
chester; trustee of the Vermont nos
pital for the. insane, Charles III. Max
ham of Pomfret With the exception
of Mr. Morse the others are reap
pointments. Gov. Bell has also re-
appointed F. w. Pierce of Chester on
the board of normal school commits
sioners. This appointment does not
require action on the part OF the SEN
ate.
SATURDAY.