The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-10-14

appointive offices. exceeded those of
1907 by about 100000, assist any in
explaining where the money went?
Perish the thought!
Contingent Fund.
1.-THE next item referred to by me
was the increase in the governors
contingent fund from $4,000 per
annum under Hoch to $4,000 under
Stubs. The governor mas tried to ex-
plain why this increase was needed
not in Topeka last winter but have
been Informed that 1t was claimed on
the floor of the zhouse that this in
crease was needed for repairs about
plant. When it was discovered that
this item was covered by another
appropriation, I am told that It was
said that it might be necessary to
assist in fighting. the green bug or
other ferucious insects Recently the
governor announced his purpose to
devote a large portion of it in com
were afflicted. About the time this
controversy arose he announced that
it was needed to enforce the prohibit
tory law. The records seem to show
that he paid deputy sheriff in Craw-
ford county $48.37. He should have
credit for this lavish expenditure.
"He points with pride to the fact
that he has only used $1,3a2 or this
fund. Such an evidence of economy
is commendable but when the people
know the facts. they will thank our
unassuming state auditor for this
small expenditure, for did not the gov
ernor try to draw from that fund
$1,000 on a requisit1on dated July 81
turned over to T. B. Murdoch for the
fish hatchery, and this without an
itemized account? Is it true that an
attempt was made to turn part OF
the hatchery into dwelling. use
k01 INV fTn =
That is the rumor and from other
reouis;tions on this fund. there seems
to have been a good ground TOT the
rurnor. In August, 1909 the gov
table linen. bedding, etc.: at the
hatchery, and again in the same
month he drew on the same fund for
$3.50 and for $114.4O for hardware:
kitchen fixtures, etc. rms totai OF
about $1,400 was not allowed py the
auditor, so I am advised
1.-THE governor might explain these
items, which may account TOT tIe
economy of which he SPEAKS. IN
view of the wide interest now mani
tested in this fund, 1 think l can
safely assure the people of Kansas
that it will be carefully ana
economically used.
Oil Inspection.
"In answering the governors first
attack upon me, I referred to the en-
ployment of a travelling OIL Inspector
for two months when the governor
had said that such an officer was not
needed. This man was PAID TOT tWo
months but rendered no service
therefor. The governor says thaI ne
did not know this man mad peen en-
ployed by the oil inspector. L am IN
formed that the governor brought the
man here to run one OF the STATE
house elevators. He was not allowed
by the executive council to hold that
place. What remarkable GOMEZ
dence it is that just. at that opportune
moment there was a vacancy in the
oil inspectors office and he needed
somebody to assist him in organic
ing his department and that ne
should accidentally meet this ex-eie-
vator man.
speaking of this department, let
the governor kindly explain why it is
that the revenues of the office for the
months of June, July and August 1909
were $540.40 less than for the cores |
ponding three months OF last year
This question has been presented To
the governor before-he has probably |
overlooked it.
Penitentiary.
'fIn previous statements l have |
shown that the revenues at the pen
itentiary for the month or July 1SO9. |
to $55S.61 and the expenses
for that month amounted to W.
2S3.61, while under Governor Hoch |
for the same month in 1908 the reve- |
informed might be added the revenue
from the Oklahoma prisoners. (abour |
5000 more), and the expenses were
$1S,3S6-35. There were about $50 !
prisoners in July 1909 and about 1900 |
in July 1908. As 1 have already said |
los men cared for 1;200 prisoners I'M i
der Governor Hoch. while 1t took 1O1 |
men to care for $50 this year; while