Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1915-07-23
HarrIngton Outlines His Platform.

markable meeting at the Bohemian Gym
nastic Hall.
Comptroller Emerson C. Harrington, can
didate for the nomination for Governor,
spoke and outlined his personal platform.
Albert c. Richie and Hugh A. McMullen,
candidates for the nomination for Attor-
ney-General and State Comptroller, respec-
lively, also spoke.
Mr.. Harrington opened his speech with
a discussion Of the condition of the States
finances. He said the last Legislature
appropriated $l.555, 622.74 more than the
Legislature of 1912 and provided no addi-
tional revenue whatsoever to meet the
difference. He then recalled that in his
report to the last Legislature he gave warn
ing that the revenue available for the run
ming expenses Of the State was not keeping
pace with the demand for increased appro
priations.
Following the warning thus given, Mr..
Harrington continued. he sent for the Presi-
dent OF the Senate, the Speaker of the
House, the chairman of the Senate Appro-
priations Committee and the chairman of
the House Ways and Means Committee
and. in the presence of State Treasurer
hurry Vandiver and Harry J. Hopkins,
chief clerk in the COmptrollers Office, again
gave warning. Mr.. Harrington further
stated that at that interview he told the
leaders of the Legislature that the bond
issues Of the State could be increased only
$3,000.000 without adding to the tax
rate.
without seeking to cast blame upon
anyone whatever" Mr.. Harrington said,
Il cannot see. under the circumstances,
how it was possible for me to have gone
further than did in warning the Legislature,
which. after all, is supreme in all respects"
Mr.. Harrington next briefly showed the
increase in the State tax rate. He had
explained previously that the proceeds of
direct taxation are dedicated to specific
uses-such as schools. roads, construction
OF hospitals. etc.-and cannot be used for
running expenses of the Government. The
tax rate, he showed has increased from
l6 1-S cents in 1907 to 35 cents for 1915
and 1916.
He next declared himself in favor of
abolition of the fee system: in favor Of
introducing system of uniform account
ing for all State offices and institutions
and in favor of extending the work of the
State Auditor, who, he said. is doing good
work.
Mr.. Harrington closed his references to
the public finances as follows:
THE character and form of the Comp
trOller's reports other than that which is
given in the personal remarks of the Comp
troller himself have practically been iden-
tical for many years past In closely study
ing the finances of the State have come
to the conclusion that the manner of book
keeping in the ComptrOler's department
should in some respects be radically chang
ed and as late as February last, in an
interview in the Baltimore News, | advo-
Gated budget system for the State, and
also announced that ! was going to change
the system in the COmptrOler's office, which
had been in existence for many years past
and had thus been maintained by my
predecessors in Office. Looking to that end,
employed an expert accountant of ma
tiOnal reputation to devise a modern sys-
TEN of accounting and also to suggest
budget system for the State.
THE trouble experienced in our State
is practically the same which has been
experienced in other States and munich
palities and a more modern system Of
bookkeeping is now being established by
most of the progressive States and munich
palities of the country. but with all this
bookkeeping the expenditures would not
necessarily be kept within the revenues.
While there are nOnTevenue moneys. bond
funds and special revenues. and general
revenues. yet. nevertheless. there is but
one beneficiary Of all revenues, and that
is the State itself. In my opinion. the ac-
counts ought TO he separately classified
and exhibited in the COmptrOller's report.
II would recommend First. centraiz-
ing in the COmptrOller's Office vouchers for
all expenditures Of the States funds, not
merely acquisitions for advances Of cash.
Second. vesting in the Comptroller greater
authority to disapprove demands upon the
treasury. Third. doing away with the
practice Of carrying forward from year to
year unexpended balances Of apprOpria
tons for current expenses.
Fourth. Bringing into the books of the
Comptroller controlling accounts Of the
revenues and expenditures Of all boards and
or otherwise.
AS TO the manner Of the preparation Of
the budget there might be some difference
of opinion. IL seems to me that this might
be secured by legislative or constitutional
enactment enlarging the powers Of the
Board of Public Works. making il Board
OF Estimates. as II were. or such a
board could be composed of the Gov |
ernor. Comptroller of the Treasury. the |
chairman Of the Finance Committee Of the |
Senate and the chairman Of the Ways and |
Means Committee Of the House. and this I
could be done practically without addi-
tional cost or outlay by requiring proper
reports TO be made by such Board Of Es- |
Inmates.
THE plan is question Of detail. am
glad that the suggestion Of IA budget which |
| made last February has met with such |
favorable response in the State. but with
out such legislation will say to the peo-
pie Of our State that II should be nomi-
mated and elected the Governor Of the State
promise TO see to it that the appropria-
tons will be kept within the limit Of the
States revenues"
Next Mr.. Harrington took up the refer
ences to his attitude toward the Public Ser