The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-01-10

all their time to the state, but are l~sr-
nitted to divide their time between thu u
official and private duties As a mattel>
Of fact I believe they give an fnconsider-
able part of their time to the public SER
vice. The record OF their expenditures is
kept in each institution itself. Is the bus
mess of any other corporation done in
corporation that would hire men to trans
act a million dollars worth of business
with no division Of time between private
and firm, corporate, affairs? Is bust
ness OF this magnitude transacted in this
way anywhere else on earth2 The presi-
dent of the United States is rightly plead
ing for publicity in corporate manage
ment as a projection to the interests of
the people. Now. should not e business
involving a million dollars be conducted
IN 3 manner making II easier OF inveSti-
cation than is the business 1 am discuss
ing suppose the governor. who is pri-
management Of state affairs, should wish
10 investigate at any time the transac-
lions Of this board how dif7cult under
the present arrangement it is for him to
90 So Or, suppose some private citizen
wishes to make a similar investigation
(Which every one has a perfect right to
do), how impracticabIe it is for him to
do it. I insist that the state should have
a great business office in the state house
IA winch complete record of all the bus
mess trauSa CtIOnS with all the institutions
of this great state should be kept, so that
any one III authority, or private citizen,
might easily ascertain at any time what
It costs to conduct any of the institutions
u tlls stare, OF Wnal a particular article
purchased by the state and paid for with
the states money costs The publicity to
Wnlcn TINS would be equivalent would be
great check upon extravaganza and
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. and it would be in
harmony with the systems of business in
vogue everywhere else in the commercial
world. believe that three men devoting
all their time to the business interests of
the state, with few assistants, could
manage the business affairs of all the in
situations in Kansas far better than they
are now mana ged and save to the people
q vast sum of money To show that my
ideas are not frnpracticabIe, or Visionary.
q mo SAY NQT in To, 1or.1 ra1 nf~k
ing of three members, manages IA chari-
table reformatory and penal institutions,
of II people to manage u similar inStitu-
tons Iowa IS a state containing a third
vastly greater than ours, and in point OF
intelligence it stands at the head of this
union These three Iowa officials have
business headquarters in the state house
and devote all their time to the service of
the stare, ana, incidentally, 1 may men
are not permitted TO be a candidate for
any other office during their incumbency
OF this one, certainly a wise provision, for
obvious reasons. In the state of Minneso-
ia similar policy is pursued. There.
board of control, consisting of three MEM
bers, devoting all their time to the ser
vice of the state, has Just moved into an
ella borate suite Of rooms IN the state
b-1,1se - tts t,ea,-1 '1t;l.s "a 80 f.
policy. From fhe last TeD9rt Of The Wiin-
nesOta board learn that it made a saving
over the old methods of S105. SIS in a single
year. Similar official reports are made by
seems to me there can be no doubt as
to the wisdom of the policy pursued in
these prOgT essive states, and I am conf
dent that If legislative committee should
be sent to the states named to investi-
gate the policy herein outlined, its wis
dom would be made manifest and that
you would have a report from such
committee commencing the policy pursued
IN those states as superior to ours.
Miscellaneous Appropriations
At the last election an amendment to
the constitution was adopted authorizing
the governor to strike out any appropria- |
ton without invalidating the whole bill
IN which it was included For obvious
reasons the legislature should pass what |
is known the miscellaneous appropria- |
ton bill early in the session to give the |
governor time to scrutinize its various |
items. If the necessity for other mis-
cellaneous appropriations develops they
can be included in a supplemental bill /
near the close OF the session.
A great opportunity is yours, gentle |
men, an opportunity to initiate needed re-
FORMS TO set an example of the most rig |
id economy consistent with the propcr /
care of the state institutions to relieve !
as Tar as possible, the taxpayers of the
state; to prove that political promises are
as sacred as personal contracts, and in |
every possible way to honor the people |
who have honored you. Your position is /
peculiar one: of no legislature have the (
people expected more than they expect |
OF you, and am sure you will not dis |
appoint them. Wishing you a pleasant |
ana profitable session. I promise you cor |
dial cooperation