The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1905-01-14

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to be radically wrong. II is discourag-
ing to the more faithful clerks of good
ability who are filling really responsible
places to be kept on continual level
with their less efficient and less ambi-
tious fellow laborers. believe legisla-
ton should be provided requiring the
respective heads Of the departments to
ployes. Such action has been taken in
many states in the union, and the re-
suits, SO far as have been able to in
vestigate, have always proven satisfac-
tory. The adoption of such law would
result in positive and substantial saw
ing to the state, and at the same time
would greatly increase the efficiency OF
the several departments.
Appropriations.
Among the most important duties de-
volving upon this legislature will be that
of providing for the requirements and
needs of our state institutions. and Of
making general provision for the main
tenance of the state government. In
this connection 1t is well that we should
recall our promise to the people to ex-
ercise the greatest possible degree Of
care and economy in our expenditure Of
public funds.
There will be no desire, am sure, to
cripple or to lessen the practical useful
ness Of any of our state institutions or
Of any department of the state govern
ment. But 1t can be and 1t should be
stated plainly that there is demand
throughout the state for greater con-
servatism in state expenditures. To
the regular list of appropriations which
must be provided at each session. the
last legislature added these items:
County Normal Training Glasses. $4,000 90
Three additional Justices of the
supreme Court .:::................ S SOo 0o
Employ ment Institution for the
Blind and Western State Normal
Scnool ......................... liu,VU w
IOldl .$<SV,VVV w
Attention is not directed to these
items in any spirit of criticism, but to i'm
press upon you the responsibility you
incur in making any increase in the de-
mands on the state treasury.
We can easily understand how it may
seem to be the duty of those who have
been intrusted with the care and re-
sponsibility of state institutions to en-
Enthusiastically urge increased and ever
increasing expenditures for their main
tenance and up-building, but | am sure
that there will be a willingness on the
part Of all who are so connected with
state affairs to join with those more di-
rectly responsible to the people for state
expenditures, in intelligently meeting
an imperative and not unreasonable de-
mand for such retrenchment as 1t is
possible to make without positive in
jury to any state institution.
In dealing with the ordinary expenses
Of institutions, you will be quite justi-
fed in the most rigid examination in
money granted is being used prudently
and efficiently. A legislature which
shall give its attention seriously and in
diligently to the scrutiny of state af-
fairs should and will receive the COM
mendation of the people of the state.
Permit me to call your attention to
a more definite phase Of this problem
of state expenditures. The total amount
of what are known as standing appro-
priations, that is, appropriations for
state institutions and for state purposes
made necessary by previous legislatures
and which run on from year to year
without much change, is S1,601, 771.76.
tel Of hA an nj u
law, the boards of the several asylums
make their own appropriations for cur
rent expenses. These expenses will be
materially greater through the next two
fiscal years. The amount during the
fiscal years of 1903 and 1904 was $1,561.-
9O7. 49,
Under the law governing the manage
ment of the prisons, the warden of each
of these institutions is allowed to draw
such an amount as he shall find neces-
sary to meet the current expenses of
the institution of which he has charge.
1t is not probable that the amount to
be so drawn during the next two years
will be less than during the fiscal years
of 1903 and 1904, which amount was
$259,00
We find, therefore, that legislation al
ready in operation has provided for APP
preparations for the coming two years
to the amount of 50, 422.679.65.
Through official and unofficial state
ments and reports. l learn that those in
situations which present their estimates
to the state board of corrections and
charities for approval will come to the
| legislature asking for the amount APP
proved by that board, which is $685.
| 707.30.
The normal college and normal
schools submit their estimates to the
state board of education. l have been
informed that the four schools referred
to will ask for appropriations to the
amount of $726,27O.
The college of mines submits its esti-
mate directly to the legislature. have
no knowledge of the exact amount fol
which this institution will ask, but judg.
ing from past requests and require
ments. the amount will not be less than
$500. 900.
| In like manner. judging from past ex.
perience, II is reasonable to suppose thai