The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-01-09

in methods and systems have been
made in this department during this
administration, and with some changes
of law other desirable results can be
accomplished. One especially needed
is a law to define specifically what
lands bearing Ignite coal" shall come
under section 1856 of the constitution,
which states: "The coal lands of the
state shall never be sold, but the legis-
lative assembly may by general laws
provide for leasing the same" The
words "coal lands" shall include lands
bearing Ignite coal. This definition
in my opinion is ambiguous and not
sufficiently specific. Most of the states
public lands in the western part are
affected by this clause
The board of university and school
lands adopted resolution at its last
meeting requesting this session to
early pass law conforming to the re-
cent amendment of the constitution
(Section 1922 relating to Investment
of School Funds" thereby permitting
the immediate investment of funds on
hand.
Auditors Department.
The advisability of adopting a SUBJ
voucher system similar to that Of other
states was deemed expedient, during
this administration and similar sys-
tenn to Minnesota's was decided upon.
This system requires a receipt for all
monies paid out for the state, of sums
amounting to one dollar or more, to
accompany the bill rendered against
the state, and as a result, am posi-
tive the state derives material benefit
from the saving thereby accruing. l
suggest a provision Of law, if required,
enforcing this system.
There is another change | recon-
mend in the auditors department,
which will save the governor (wllo,
! under the present law, is president Of
! the state auditing board and must
sign his approval to every bill rem
| dered against the state), much time
and unnecessary labor. and that is
| the adoption of the salary payroll
system used by Wisconsin. Minnesota
and many ether states. This system
would require the approval and sig
nature of the governor but once each
! month for the salary list, now re-
quiring at least IS to 100, and during
Legislative sessions several HUNDREDS
more. There are no good reasons for
continuing the present antiquated sys-
| tenn.
I.recommend that the institutions Of
| %,t,
stall a uniform system of accounting,
doing away with the cumbersome met
hod of furnishing duplicate receipted
bills as is now required; and the
classification OF accounts be made
alike in all institutions, thereby giving
a true basis for comparison. Under
| our present system such a comrari-
son could not be had by Using the
statements or reports of the several
institutions.
believe the trustees Of all the in
| stitutions in the state should receive
the same per diem and the same eN-
pense money. At the present time
some of the institution trustees re-
ceive $500 per diem aud ) cents per
mile to cover all expenses. Other in
stitutions pay $500 per diem and al
necessary expenses.
believe the law allowing public
buildings to be insured for two-thirds
of their value should be changed and
the maximum amount to one-half OF
the value. l believe the rates for this
insurance is high, considering the risk
carried.
A law should be passed authorizing
the state treasurer and the state audi
tor to transfer to the general fund of
the state any balance in fund created
by special levy, after the full pur-
pose for which such special fund was
created, had been accomplished. For
instance, where tax is levied to pay
an issue of bonds due, after the issue
of bonds had been paid, the balance
accruing in that fund should be trans
ferred to the general fund.
Treasurer's Office.
recommend the repeal Of S. B. III
passed during the last session and
the adoption of an Ineligible sub
stitute. The present provision reads:
"The state treasurer must execute an
official bond in the sum OF not less
than $50O,OOO; which bond shall be
paid by the state" Further comment
would be reflection upon your in
telligence. There is apparently con-
flict in the limit of the amount sure
ty bond can be issued for by any one
company. (See law
recommend also the adoption OF
Minnesota's system of non-coupol
school bonds where purchased by the
board of university and school lands
for investment for institution and pub
lie school funds. Under the Mime
sofa system the interest is collected by
TOT iSSlintr racaint