The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-01-08

company bond should be given. The
depository law referred to places upon
the governor the duty of fixing the
amount of bond required of the state
treasurer under this new law, but the
new law specifically provides for the
appropriation of $1,000 to pay for the
bond, provided a surety company BOND
is given. Much discussion resulted as
to whether the bond required under the
new law was additional to that required
under the old law, or whether or not
tue new bond took the place or the old
one. The attorney general has given 1T
as his opinion that the bond required
under the law of 1905 was an emer-
gency bond, and was supplemental to
the million dollar bond required under
the old statute, which he declares has
not been repealed. He also gives 1t as
his opinion that the provision providing
for the expenses of a surety bond was
temporary in it's character and will not
avail future treasurers. This legis-
Iature should fix definitely the status
of this whole treasurer's bond matter.
Placing the fixing of the amount or the
bond upon the governor is, in my
Judgment, an unwise provision. The law
itself should fix the amount OF the BOND
and believe it to be also matter or
palpable justice and good business for
the state to meet the expenses OF a
good surety bond. 1t is absurd, of
course to require the treasurer to pay
for a surety bond, which 1 believe to
be the best security to the state, out OF
his meager salary.
Monthly Examinations.
The law enacted in 1879 requires
monthly examination of the state
treasury by the governor, secretary OF
state and auditor, the language or the
statute being as follows:
1.-THE governor. secretary of state
and auditor are hereby declared a
board of examination, whose duty 1t
shall be, at least once each month,
without previous notice or intimat1on
of such intended examination and in
spection, to make a thorough and COM
plete examination of all the books,
accounts, records, claims
moneys, assets and effects winch are
or should be in the treasury, and shall
count all moneys in the treasury, and
compare the books, vouchers, accounts
and records; and it is hereby made the
duty of the auditor to furnish said
board with the necessary books,
vouchers, accounts and records, In or
der to make such examination"
The performance of this duty by
these officers has always been neces- !
sarily perfunctory and of little
value. 1t is performance
animation of county treasures by |
the probate judge and examiners
appointed by the county COM |
nissioners, which every one IA
miliar with the subject knows 10 De |
ourIesque on business. For frankly |
saying these things I have been Sc
7erely criticized, for political effect, /
put 1 wish to reiterate them to this |
legislature. The intention of the law I
s good, but it is impracticable in OPP
grafton. The duty of this examination
s placed upon officials, two of whom,
1T least. are not ordinarily familiar
With it's peculiar duties, who are or
linarily not experts, and who have not
line to devote to the performance of
he duty which this statute requires. /
such an examination as outlined in the |
statute would require weeks of time,
wen if done by experts. Hence, while |
he law is all right in purpose, it has
Ilways been farce in practice. If
hese examinations are wise and nee
ssary, they should be made by experts
Who have both the peculiar qualifica-
ion and time to make them efficient.
t seems to me that quarterly examin-
tions. made by the state ACCOUNTANT
nd his assistants, would vitalize such
Nominations and make them of prac-
ical value. Perhaps it would be wise
or the accountant to make report of
hese examinations to the governor,
nd I recommend a change in the law
n harmony with these suggestions.
Insurance.
Never has Kansas had a better COM
missioner of insurance than the present
Incumbent, Hon. c. H. Luling. The
Iffairs of his office have been admira-
'ly managed. 1t has been made to
held large revenue to the state and
furnishes ample protection to policy
folders, with due regard to the rights
4 Insurance companies. Mr.. Luling re-
lews some former recommendations
which heartily commend to your con-
liberation. Among these I especially
MENTION the creation Of the office OF fire
and law providing for the
publication in certain state paIAers peri
ideally of a list of companies author
zed to do business in this state Few
'eople realize the magnitude of the in
urance business in the aggregate in
his state. If all of them realized ii,