Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1915-07-02
Democratic Meeting At Woodsboro

Democratic Meeting At Woodsboro.
From the Frederick Citizen of June rs.
A complete Overhauling Of the fiscal sys-
TEN Of the State. and adoption Of budget
system was strongly advanced Wednesday
by Emerson C. Harrington. State Comp
troller and Democratic candidate for
Governor OF the State. at one of the largest
and most enthusiastic mass meetings that
has been held in the town hall at Woods
boro in recent years. Mr.. Harrington
launched into brief but graphic descrip-
ton Of the works Of the financial system
Of the State.
At the meeting was Congressman David
j. Lewis. three times elected to Congress
from the Sixth Congressional District. The
congressman told the voters Of Woodsboro
district just why he had lined up with
Comptroller Harrington in the fight for the
nomination for Democratic Governor Of the
State. In his address Congressman Lewis
made the first public statement to Mary
land voters in which he gave in detail his
reasons for backing Harrington. Congress-
man Lewis is for Harrington because the
comptroller's public life has been consistent
and progressive. because he has understand
able ambitions and because his qualifica-
tons fit him for Governor of the State.
Mr.. Harrington. in part, said
The whole fiscal system Of the State,
in my opinion, is defective. There ought
to be included in two appropriation bills.
one for each fiscal year intervening be-
tween the sessions Of the Legislature. all
OF the appropriations or expenditures the
General Assembly intends to authorize.
Continuing appropriations and special bills
appropriating moneys ought to be dispensed
with.
According to the manner and methods
at present employed by the Legislature it
seems that 1t has been almost impossible
for the financial committees to determine
the exact amount appropriated for various
purposes. In my report to the last General
Assembly ! called special attention to the
condition Of the State Treasury, to the
necessity for the strictest economy and to
the danger Of the appropriations exceed
ing the known revenues Of the State.
so impressed was with the danger of
deficit that for fear my report might not
have received as careful consideration as
| felt it deserved. |. as the responsible
bookkeeping officer Of the State. took the
liberty. as late as March while the Legis-
lature was still in session. Of inviting TO
meet me at the comptroller's Office the
President OF the Senate, the Speaker of
the House and the chairman of the Ways
and Means Committee Of the House and
the Finance Committee Of the Senate, and
in the presence Of State Treasurer Vandi-
yer. went over with them in detail the
condition Of the States finances. Again.
at that time, !. in the most positive terms,
that language could convey. showed them
that the treasury was in such condition
that it would not stand even single penny
in the wayof excess appropriations for the
coming two years above the appropriations
that had been made by the Legislature of
1912.
Notwithstanding my warning the ex-
cess of the appropriations made for the
fiscal years for 1915 and 1915 exceeded
those Of 1918 and 1914 by $l.557622.74.
This sum practically represents the deficit
for the years indicated. | am confident
that while the Legislature knew it was
appropriatine beyond the revenues Of the
State it did not know or stop to calculate
the extent Of such deficit
Il therefore came to the conclusion that
a budget system Of making State appro-
priations should be adopted. and as far
back as last February. so stated in an
interview published in the Baltimore news
papers. Al the same time. which was
prior to the announcement Of my candi-
dacy for the gubernatorial nomination,
also stated that proposed to make such
changes as might be necessary in the char
acter OF the compuollers report With
this object in view, a short while there
after got the'boaFd Of public works to au.
thorize General Vandiver and myself to
employ an expert to devise appropriate
changes in our bookkeeping methods. We
have since employed Mr. Chase, Of New
York. who installed the Baltimore city
system of bookkeeping and he has made
his examination and will submit his report
in short time.
so far as know my own was the first
suggestion looking toward the adoption of
budget system Of making appropriations,
and Mr.. Chase was at work on the revised
bookkeeping method before any such sue-
gestions came from other quarters. As to
how and by whom the budget should be
made up is a question propose to discuss
at some later date"
Replying to Senator Lees speech made
at the Eighth Ward Democratic club on
Tuesday night, Mr.. Harrington said:
Il had hoped that there would be no mud
singing in this campaign such as caused
the defeat Of the Democratic candidate for
Governor four years ago. However. shall
undertake to make an extended reply to
Senator Lee at some later date. Tonight
! simply wish to say that the insulting in
situation that II elected Governor could
be utilized in the appointment Of public
service commission in the interest Of the
corporations hardly needs comment from
me. Along that line am willing to be judged
by the record Of my life. think the peo-
pie Of Maryland know by this time that
can neither be coerced. driven nor per-
suaded TO do other than what know TO be
right and nobody knows this better than
some Of the prominent people who are sup
porting Senator Lee"
In his address Congressman David J.
austa dave the foilovinp nea aoas GoK hack