The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1917-02-23
ABSOLUTELY FREE
FROM PARTISANSHIP
Executive, Recommending
Efficiency, Hits False
Economy

NJ. Cox presented the budget for the
next two years to the Ohio general as
sembly. The business Of Ohio is now
| approached in business like manner
Not as a dictator, but as the business
manager of the biggest business in
the state, the governor went before
/ the members of the house of repre-
/ sentatives and the senate, to consult
them as sharers in responsibility. The
| spirit of helpfulness and cooperation
prevailed and partisanship vanished
| This augurs well for the state and its
people.
| In the first executive budget ever
( presented in the United States it was
! shown just what budget means. The
budget is in reality the states purse.
| Governor Cox had gone into every
need personally and made recommen-
dations with full explanation, show
/ ing reductions here by force of neces-
| sity. and increases elsewhere where
/ pressing requirements had to be met.
If the executive budget is followed,
the appropriations for the next two
years will be $42,66O,S41, which is
three millions less than the state in
I come as estimated by State Auditor
| Donahey, who places the receipts for
the period at s45,179,32121. This is
astonishing in view of the fact that
the preceding administration for the
first time in history made no appro-
priation for the general assembly
which began work at the administra-
tion close, and in view of the further
lact that the population of the state
has greatly increased, and costs of
operation have more than proportion
ately increased by reason of condi-
tions over which the state has no
control It is estimated that lapses
from appropriations will be more than
$1,000,000 so that the state will be
more than safely within its income
In the last two-year period, for the
first time since the civil war, the state
expenses exceeded the state income.
In the budget presented by Cover
nor Cox, every need is anticipated.
Emergency appropriations are recon-
mended of S250,O00 for state institu.
tions because of rising costs of food,
S250,000 for the national guard in
case of need. These will lapse if un-
used, and the governor recommended
that it require a four-fifth vote of
the board of control to release them.
Other extraordinary expenses for the
first year are S220,000 for the general
assembly, $4,000 for slaughtered ami.
mails and $4,000 for submission of
the prohibition amendment. Still the
first year expense is but $40 ,651 900,
which is less than that of the Willis
year, of which the figures were $19,-
us, 900.
False economy was assailed and
recommendations for efficiency were
made. There was discussion of tax
matters and figures were given to
show that Ohio was one OF the most
economically managed states in the
Union, the per capita cost here being
1884, as against $12.10 in California,
$S.26 for New York, s7.2S for Massa-
chusetts, s6.4O for Wisconsin, and
1852 for Michigan. Recommendation
was made for standardization OF sal
aries in keeping with the repo.t OF
the efficiency commission. With ad-
mission of too high salaries in some
instances in the past, there was con-
demnation of those that are now too
low. and suggestion that a reasonable
medium be found.
The governor discussed the budget
for more than two hours in frank,
, open fashion and at the close of his
discourse was given a rising vote of
thanks led on motion by Senator Otto
VolIenweider. Republican floor lead
er, who is rendering helpful service
wherever possible, free from partisan
tinge except where bound by party
pledge.
For humane activities, extension of
, expenditures we're recommended.
More help for the Industrial commits
sioa was asked. and helpfulness in