The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-01-17

peoples business becomes a mere
plaything OF petty politicians The
commission believes that the power
of appointment. control and removal
OF all administrative officers should be
vested. as far as possible, in the gov
ernor. Better governmen and great
err efficiency in the public service will
be assured by limiting the number OF
/ elective administrative officials, and
| placing the fullest executive and adj
Iministrative powers with the COVER
nor, and vesting all legislative functions
ind the power to make appropriations
in the popularity elected general as
sembiy
\ Budget System.
| I'm the opinion Of the commission
on economy and efficiency the one
thing that will do more than anything
else to place the state government Of
Virginia on more business-like ba sis
would be the Introduction of a modern
budget system. The establishment Of
such a system. in addition to placing
our public affairs on more scientific
footing. would bring about many of
the departmental changes that should
be made.
"a very careful study of budget
lcgilation and procedure in other
states has accordingly been made by
1.-THE commission. in order that a bill
for the establishment of budget sys-
tern In Virginia could be prepared for
| consideration by the general assembly.
fundamental principles of efficient,
Budget practice involves the
economical and responsive govern
ment. Budgets Gladstone contend
ed. are not merely affairs of arithme-
tic, but In a thousand ways go 10 the
root of prosperity OF individuals the
| relic ton of the classes and the
strength of nations:' DIR. Frederick
A Cleveland has defined a budget as
"A plan for financing an enterprise or
government during a definite period.
which Is prepared and submitted by
responsible executive 20 O representa-
tive body whose approval and autnori-
zation are necessary before the plan
may be executed Unlike the exist-
ing financial plan in Virginia. an eff
fective budget system puts in the
hands of all citizens Ineligible in
formation about the operations and
requirements of the states business
and definitely places responsibility for
all expenditures of the public funds
The commission on economy and
efficiency after a most earnest study
Of budget essentials, n close study OF
Virginia institutions and law-espe-
ciailv the provisions OF the state con-
stitutipn, which would have anv hear
Ing Whatsoever on the establishment
and oper~~nn of an effective budget
! system in this state-came to the con-
clusion that a budget system could
be very easily adopted and very eff
ficiently administered. under the ex-
listing constitution. merely nv ierjs-
lative enactment. In conducting this
| study. and in the preparation OF its
proposed budget bill. the commission
received valuable assistance from a
number of recognized budget authori-
t'eF. and wishes to acknowledge It's
Indebtedness and express it's thanks
to them all. especially TO the Institute
OF Government Research at washing
New York. and the New York Blu
reau Of Municipal Research
TN reaching it's conclusions on the
final form and provisions of the bin
the commission has received MANY
valuable suggestions and criticisms
from the Hon. Wsstmoreland Davis
governor elect OF Virginia. The hill
which IL herewith presented to the
general assembly for its most careful
consideration and enactment into law
at this session. has the approval Of
the incoming governor In view of
the tremendous financial demands on
ell America to meet the reauirem ents
OF the war. the commission considers
the enactment Of budget legislation
an emergency requirement and the
most important service the general
assembly can render the state at this
session.
Proposed Budget Law.
The report suggests a form OF bill
70 put the budget system into effecA
The salient features OF the bin pro-
vide:
That the auditor OF public accounts
shall furnish the governor each year
on or before November l statements
showing the cxast financial situation
of the state and OF each department
ana governmental agency.
That the governor shall. within five
DAYS after the beginning of each reg
ular session OF the general assembly,
transmit TO that body all the informa-
ton received from the auditor of nub.
lie accounts and his own recommends.
tons as to all expenditures. in detail.
for the ensuing two years, accom-
panyfn~ this budget with the follow
Ing information:
"a A statement of the reve-
nues and expenditures for each
OF the two appropriation years
next preceding. classified and
itemized in accordance with the
official bud get classifcations
adopted by the governor
CD A statement of the cur
rent assets, liabilities, reserves.
and surplus or deficit OF the
state
lSl A statement of the debts =
and funds of the state.
t4) statement showing the
governors itemized estimates OF
the condition OF the state treas
ur as OF the beginning and end
Of each OF the next two appro-
priation years.
f5l An iteniized o, complete
financial balance sheet for the
state at the close OF the last pre-
cedings fiscal year ending Sep
TENDER 80
(S) A general survey OF the
states financial and natural re-
sources. with a review of the gem
erai economic. Industrial and
commercial condition Of the com
monwealth.
The governor In also TO submit
copies Of a tentative bill providing for
all the expenditures which he recon-
mends. to be known as the budget
Mil Tho 81 pHSre or,,, re lnky,