Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-01-16

HI upOH LHdt Will IhdtcAiuhy ONuSc
our annual expense and still not reduce
the necessary activities or impair the
efficiency of the State Institutions?
In addition to what might be called
State institutions listed above, there are
a very large number of more or less
permanent activities and institutions
which might be listed as follows:
State highways.
State military.
Agricultural department.
Board of education.
Board of health.
Public service commission.
Armory commission.
Board of pharmacy.
Commission on boundary lines.
Commissioner Of industries factory in
spector).
Budget committee.
Fish and game commission.
Horticultural society.
Maple Sugar Makers association.
~Dairymen's association.
Poultry association.
Insurance commission.
State library and free libraries.
Purchasing agent.
Sergeant-at-arms.
State %geologist.
Typographical survey.
Vermont Historical society.
Investigation water resources.
Legislative reference bureau.
State engineer.
Attorney-general detective service).
Board Of charities and probation.
Freeing toll bridges.
tuberculosis commissioner.
CONSOLIDATION.
II we were conducting such enterprises
upon strictly business principles and at
our own personal cost. would we have
two State prisons, one at Rutland and
one at Windsor, when one prison would
amply care for all our offenders against
the law?
Would we have two normal schools, one
at Johnson n one at Castleton. when
one central school would suffice?
Would we have two agricultural schools.
one at Randolph and one at Lyndon.
when either one Of these schools would
care for all our pupils. to say nothing of
the agricultural college in connection
with the University Of Vermont, main
tanned in part by federal aid
Would we have a school for pedagogy
in Middlebury and one at the University
Of Vermont?
Would we support IS municipal courts.
IA county courts. 20 probate courts and
a supreme court?
Would we distribute and scatter our
business interests over the entire State,
making 1t necessary for our boards and
officers Of supervision to travel contin-
ually In order to keep in touch with them.
or would we aim at concentration In some
central plant?
Some progress toward concentration and
Capitalization has already been mad
These are problems for you to consider,
and l am aware that any attempt on
your part to change existing conditions
will be met by opposition on the part OF
those who have a special or local inter-
est in such institutions as may be af-
fected. Ny purpose at this time Is mere
ly to call these conditions to your atten-
ton, not to urg upon you any legisla-
alton except such as in your wisdom
would appear to o an adequate and
proper remedy.
ACCOUNTING
In regard to accounting, all material
for the use Of the State should be pur-
chased Upon requisition from the depart
ment requiring the same. These roQuf-
sitions should be made upon the board
of control sufficiently In advance of 70.
q%uirements so that material can be pur-
chased to the best advantage. After be-
ing approved by the board of control the
acquisitions should be handed to the pur-
chasing agent. the material purchased
and the bills therefor presented to thl
auditor. The auditor should examine The
bills and II found correct thcy should b
vouchered for payment.
The AUDITOR office should be an ONCE
of record with regard to appropriation
made by the Legislature and the amount
charged against them from time to time
1t should also examine and certify as Il
the correctness of all bills against tn,
State. When bills are found to be cor
rect, they should be vouchcred and SEN
to the State treasurer for payment.
The treasurer's office should keep full
and complete books showing cash OF
hand and the full financial condition o
the State every night.
One of the best ways to provide for tn,
payment Of bills and the receipts for tn,
same Is by means Of a voucher-check
Such voucher-checks should be ISSUED
from the treasurer's Office n a full &C
count thereof kept there. No none!
should be paid out from the treasurer
| office except upon vouchers. properl.
authenticated by the auditor. 1t Is nc
necessary that money should be advanced
to the heads OF departments. and thi
practice which has prevailed In the past
resulting in financial dificulties for tn
State, should be stopped. All receipt
for money received for the State by de
partments and persons employed by tn