The Columbus courier. [volume] (Columbus, Luna County, N.M.) 1911-1920, 1917-01-12
COLUMBUS, LUNA COUNTY, N. NJ JANUARY


only. and not from the proceeds
of the sale of State lands. OF
from interest on such proceeds
Yet | am advised that the credits
to the land office maintenance
have been made from both the
principal and income. IL would
seem that all the appropriations
TO this fund from the principal
since statehood are clearly II.
legal and that any sums so diver.
ted should be returned by the
State to their respective perman-
ent funds.
Some authority should be es-
tablished to supervise and limit
the expense Of this office. When
the sole power over such an i'm
portant department is entrusted
entirely to one man. he naturally
becomes eXtravagant with his
expenditures. This is the case
Of the State Land Office. The
business Of the office ought TO be
handled with one-half Of the
present force. The cost Of
maintenance now is more than
twelve per cent of the income,
which is excessive.
No audit Of the State Land
Commissioner office seems to
have been made since the time
the Office was established. This
is one Of the most important de-
par'To0ts Of tho State govern
ment and some provision should
be- made Tor q proper audit of its
books 80 that the people may be
advised as 10 how this great en-
dowment is being managed.
Such an audit should be non
political in its character and in
order 10 secure this il should be
made by some party from out
side Of the State. | would rec.
ommcrd, therefore. that you
make an appropriation of an
amount sufficient to secure a
proper audit Of these books. such
appropriation to be expended
under the direction of the Cover
nor.
state institutions Funds
Nearly all of the amount dc.
rived from the sale of State
lands. donated by the general
government TO our State insti-
buttons, has been expended by
the institutions for purposes
than investment in in
comebearing securities. II would
seem that such expenditure is
contrary to both the spirit and
intent Of the acts granting these
The purpose of this gift
was undoubtedly TO provide a
permanent enjorr-ent for such
institutions. Unless this method
0' ay 'ndituro is checked at the
outset, this p.incely endowment
Of our institutions is liable to be
rapidly d~issipated and we shall
find ourselves compelled to rely
upon taxation as the sole means
Of their maintenance.
Budget
Tie various State institutions
have made reports, for which |
your careful consideration.
All Of these reports ask for
appropriations, but there is no
statement of the purposes for
the same is to be used.
! recommend the adoption of a
system by the State in
situations md by all the depart
nerts Of the State government.
If this were done, IL would be
possible TO estimate in advance
how much of a levy Is called for
by the appropriations asked for,
and our expenditures could be
kept within our revenues BY
he helter-skelter method In
vogue now. the appropriations
exceed the income.
An outline of such a system has
been prepared and sent out TO
he several State departments
md institutions, calling for a de-
allied estimate of the amount
needed for the ensuing two
ears. As soon as these esti-
mates are received, they will be
unlimited to your finance COM
nittee for their consideration.
Election Laws
The present election law
.hould be repealed. A free and
lntrammeled ballot is the very
oundation upon which rests our
epublican form Of government.
AXE aWav mr. intarfara uy;th tki.