The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-01-23
BUDGET "BUCK'
Continued from Page one.l

posed by Governor Capper and which
would be adopted by the Stone resoIu-
ton, the 1temized appropriation bills
submitted by the governor can not be
exceeded. They may, however, be re-
duced.
Il have Offered my resolution in
absolute good faith and hope that
thru its adoption we may throw the
ters and give the greatest publicity to
our discussion of the various items"
said Stone. I'VE cannot exceed the
appropriations recommended by the
governor. If the governor recon-
mends appropriations inadequate to
meet the demands of the institutions
then the blame falls squarely on his
shoulders. If we take the RESPONSE
bllity and reduce the appropriations,
then the legislative members are re-
sponSible and any blame is removed
from the governor
Action by the 1917 legislature in
considering an executive budget will
not be binding on any future legisla-
ture- Each legislature. provides its
own rules and is not bound by prece-
dent 1t is because of this legislative
privilege that the house may invite
the governor to participate in deliber-
atoms on the floor. 1t is the first time
in the history of the state : hen such
an invitation was extended the gov
ernor.
Legislature Favors It
Il think large majority of the
members of the legislature are in full
sympathy with Governor Capper's
program" said Stone. My resolution
will permit an earnest, orderly, judi
cious and intelligent consideration of
the appropriation measures for AL
state institutions. 1t may pave the
way for a more economical diStribu-
ton of expenditures for the executive
department of our state government.
4 L1i1o HI fe 20
being the holder of the peoples purse,
and has no control over future legis-
latures. we must recognize that the
governor is in a better position than
are the individual members of the
house to collect and analyZe data and
statistics concerning the actual condi-
ton of each state office, board and
institution
1T is not my purpose to escape from
and L do not desire to surrender the
responsibility resting upon the legis-
lature-and upon it alone-of ulti-
mately determining the amount of. by
whom and for what purpose the peo-
pies money shall be expended
If provisions of the Stone resolution
be adopted in the 1917 legislature, it is
probable that all of the hearings be-
fore the house and senate ways and
means committees will be waived. The
hearings will be taken directly to the
floor of the legislature and the mem
bers will be bound not to exceed the
recommendations by the governor.
Any reduction in the budget will be at
the risk of the members.
The resolution before the house to-
day carried the following provisions
for consideration of an executive
budget at the present legislative ses
sion:
The Resolution.
First That the governor is hereby re-
ELL tod m r1rp mi fn
be presented thru the regular channel to
this legislature a bill or bills that shall
ernor concerning the executive budget to
be adopted by this legislature and a
budget plan to be recommended by it to
Second. That the governor is further
requested to accompny such budget bill
with a statement showing by items the ex-
penditure:
fa1 Under the proposed bill.
OBJ During the last biennium under the
appropriations of 1919.
And also in detail the unexpended appro-
prfations:
(b) Not involved in pending contracts.
And also in detail the sums appropriated
during the session of 1875 or preceding
sessions, which may be reappropriated by
Third That this House hereby tenders
to tn, governor the freedom of the floor
of its hall and requests him to attend any
meeting or meetings of the committee of
the whole house while discussing such bill,
with Iull power 10 III anu "
discuss the bill with such committee of
the whole as if he were a member of the
House.
Fourth That the chief clerk is hereby
directed to forthwith prepare a copy of
this resolution and to transmit the same to
the governor of state and to inform the
governor in advance of the hour during
which the house and committee of the
whole viii be in consideration of such
budget bill
Cards of Thanks.