Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-12-14

budget system. 1t is his intention on
the assembling Of the Legislature to
present to the law-making body OF
Maine the information he has gathered.
not only from his conference with the
governors of other states but also from
other sources with which he has been
closely in touch.
These ideas will be given to the Leg
islature for discussion, and in return
Governor-elect Milliken is very anxious
to get the opinions of the senators and
representatives as to the working of
the system. Since he was elected IN
September, Governor-elect Milliken has
been in conference informally with
many Of the senators-elect and repre-
sentatives-elect from all parts OF
Maine. The leading topic Of converse
ton at these sessions has been the
budget system.
The budget system really means the
presentation to the Legislature of an
approximate estimate as to the amount
Of money to be appropriated. Under
the workings Of the system, the various
departments and institutions would be
called upon to present to the Governor
and Council an estimate Of the amount
Of money they would need for the
following two years.
With this estimate Of money needed
in hand and an approximate estimate
of the revenue for the two years it
would be an easy matter in the opin-
ion of those who favor the budget
scheme to determine just how much
could be given for any specific purpose
Under the present arrangement as past
Governors have found, grist of ap-
preparation bills will make an early ap-
pearance during the Legislative ses-
sion, will be passed to be enacted and
signed by tho governor. Then the
Legislators discover that there are new
resolves and bills carrying an appropri-
alton, which ordinarily make their ap-
pearance later in the session. 1t is
very often the case that some of these
belated measures are not only worthy
but exceedingly urgent.
1t has also been found that under such
circumstances with a large amount of
money already appropriated it has
been necessary either to cut down the
most necessary appropriations or elm
ate them altogether simply because Of
the budget system in effect such a con-
tingency would not arise because any
department or institution absolutely in
need of an appropriation would be COM
PEELED to advance it's claim in ample
season fer it to be included in the bud
get to go before the Legislature
it is known Of course that the budget
system could not take into account any
special or private measures such as the
construction OF a bridge, the creation
OF memorial or the enactment of
some beneficial piece of constructive
work But these special measures
would be given due consideration from
the very fact that with a budget in
hand, the difference between the money
absolutely needed for state depart
ments and institutions and the revenue
to be received could be used as 2
fund from which to appropriate money
ior the most deserving of the special
resolN es or bills.
Governor elect Milliken is a stauncb
supporter of the budget system but in
accordance with his prediction prom
lses ne is anxious to have the matter
thoroughly discussed among the leeis-
iators There are many Of them natur-
ally whom he has not yet been able to
see' but he is hoping that there will he
opportunity either before the sitting Of
.ne Legislature or in the early days of
the session when the matter NAV no
thoroughly threshed out.
GoVernor-elect Milliken feels that
only py the exchange of these views
can the best results be obtained ava
ns clearing up any MISUNDERSTANDING
tha' may exist on either side whether
upon the budget system or any other
measure can the most beneficial leeis-
lation be enacted.