The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1909-01-29
REFORMS SUGGESTED
SENATOR BEASMAN WOULD HAVE CON-
TTNUING APPROPRIATION ABOLISHED
Also FaVOrS Board to Purchase sAlI
Supplies Used by State

Another commission named by Gov
ernor Crothers on the last day of the
last session OF the Legislature has
formulated a program. embodying re-
forms in the scheme OF State govern
ment. which will later be put In the
shape Of bill to be introduced ST the
next session, backed by the weight
ANA power OF the State administration.
II Is the Commission on Appropri-
auons, OF which State Senator Johnnie
Beasman, of this county, is chairman
Senator Beasman made his preIini-
nary report 20 Governor Crothers last
Friday. and his specific recommended
tons are as follows.
Ffrst-To abolish all Continuing
appropriations aud TO compel institu-
tons receiving State aid 20 ask for
and receive that aid every two years.
Sscond-To create State purchas-
ing board, which shall buy staple sup
plies for State institutions in bulk.
after advertising specifications and re-
ceiving bids.
Third--To develop In State insii-
tutions, where II is possible. small.
simple Industrial plants looking to the
employment, under medical advice, Of
the afflicted and to furnish revenue to
the State
Fourth-The refusal by the State to
grant any appropriations for buildings
on land TO which the State has not
clear title.
Fifth--To create the Office Of State
architect, so as to avoid payment to
private architects by the State Of large
fees, and 10 have for this purpose
State official whose interest will be
60 save the State money.
These are the principal features OF
Senator Beasmans report. Every
feature Of II Is approved by the Gov
ernOr. The first recommendation Is
really the keynote IN the arch of econ
omic reform for which the Governor
Il striving, Men who have served up
ON the Ways and Means Committee OF
the House and the Finance Committee
OF the Senate and those who have SER
we'd a. Comptroller Of the State know
what the term continuing" appropri-
alton means. What II means, as ex-
planned by Senator Heasman In his re-
port Is this
There are number OF institutions
In the State which, should the Leg
islature never meet again, would still
continue annually 10 draw large sums
Of money from the State Treasury.
The reason for this Is that years ago
number OF them had bills introduced
and enacted apprOpriating annually
for their benefit certain specified
amounts. These laws are on the
statute books and will continue In
force until repealed Each year these
institutions receive from the State
Treasury this annual appropriation
and yet every two years these instl-
tutious send 10 Annapolis and ask for
biennial appropriations. Usually in
granting the biennial appropriation
K asked for the Legislature or the FL
nance Committee knows nothing of
the continuing appropriation, which
goes on year after year There are so
many OF these continuing appropri-
ations that II Is difficult to say what
the total amounts to or how many
they are. II IN estimated that the
amount Of these continuing appropri-
ations Is considerably above $500 900
u may be double this much"
Senator BeasmaD's recommendation
Is that the next legislature enact
Law repeating all previous approprin-
lions and providing that at each ses-
sion OF the Legislature the appropria-.
tions made to any institution must be
made anew. y.
Ihe report explains the second rc
commendauon, which was advanced
by the Governor by saying II would
save the state many thousands OF dol
lars annually and that Il is a plain
business proposition. II also, the re-
port states, possesses the advantage
OF giving TO the public the knowledge
OF what II brought for the State insti-
unllons and the price paid for IT,
| 1ne third recommendation the re.
port states, Is based upon humanitar-
luh, as well as financial, grounds. The
best medical experts advise thai con-
centration OF thought resulting from
llght occupation is the most whole
some method of curing the slightly
ahiicted. Lack OF occupation, II Is
pointed out, Is sufficient almost to-
drive sane man insane.
The fourth recommendation Senator
beasman says, Is simple matter OF
business precaution. II Is pointed
out that there are In Maryland insti.
tutsons TO which the State annually
gives money. and which could be sold
by the private owners of the land un-
on which the State buildings stand
and the State would receive not a cent.
It's whole investment being wiped out.
Ills finai recommendation concerns
the creation OF the Office of State ar
ehitect. II Is pointed out that the
state now pays a large amount an
nually TO private architects for work
done by the State.
Senator Beasman concludes his re-
port by making the suggestion that
the inmates OF penal institutions of the
state not otherwise employed be util-
lied by the State in the construction
OF the proposed system of State high
ways.