The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-09-03
DEFICIENCY CHARGE
FAILS ITS PURPOSE
Bills Against State Offices
Prove TO Be Legally
Authorized.

Some semblance Of harmony be-
tween the legislature and the admin
istratiye departments of the state
government, or a thorough revision Of
the laws controlling the departments,
seems absolutely necessary The re-
port OF specia auditing committee
charging Unauthorized defician ancies"
in two or three Offices, and made use
OF by the Democratic organs for cam.
paign purposes, brings the condition
fOrcibly the attention of those who
are interested in the proper conduct
of state affairs.
The adiutant general was particu-
larly criticised for spending money
not appropriated to his department
An investigation of the Office shows
how this deficiency" came about and
how little any executive officer could
avoid criticism under similar circum-
stances
The appropriations for this depart
ment for the year 1897 were INSULT
cient to pay the fixed charges pro-
vided by law. When the allowance
was exhausted, no further payments
could be made No request for funds
could be made of the emergency
board, because no emergency existed
Nothing had been done that could not
have been fOreseen by the general as
sembly when the appropriations were
made. There is no "unaut horized de-
ticiency" in the department because
insufficient funds were appropriated
for the bills and payrOls. These ac-
counts had to be held unit sufficient
appropriations were made to settle
them. The items were not paid be-
cause OF the failure Of The legislature
to provide the money
To Illustrate: A few years ago the
legislature passed a law for the pay
ment Of % cents night TO enlisted
men of the Ohio National Guard for
attending the regular weekly drill,
not to exceed IS weeks a year. Under
the appropriation for 1907 the pay
ments for the first quarters attend
ance were made. June 80 the pay
ments for the second quarter were
made. During July and August the
annual encampment, required by law,
was held. When the third quarters
pay was due, the funds were exhaust
ed, No money was on hand to meet
the fourth quarters charges The
payrolls for the last two quarters of
the year were presented to the legis-
lature when 1t met and payment was
provided for under an unauthorized
deficiency" bill. The adiutant general
objects to the term by which the bill
ts denominated, because every item in
the bill was strictly authorized by
some act of the Legislature.
The office Of the adjutant general is
in charge of the statehouse and
grounds. Three years ago, after an
unsatisfactory experience with light
ing bills, the senate and house were
placed on separate meters for cleo
tricity and gas. Bills were sent to
the hon 'n he paid out of the run
ming Of the legislature In
stead .ng, the lawmakers pass
ed bill l.arging the gas and cleo
tricity to the adiutant general under
the head Of 'unaut horized deficiency"
All the items objected to by the
special auditing committee passed un-
der the eye of the same committee
before the adjournment of the legis-
lature and We're unanimously agreed
to. AS they also received the full in
dorsement Of the legislature, criticism
seems rather out of place.