Oxford Democrat., 1921-10-04
FINANCIAL STATUS
Of STATE Of MAINE
Statementof Governor PerclvaI
P. Baxter, as Of August
3ist, 1921

took the oath Of ONCE, he called to-
gether the heads Of an State depart
ments and State institutions and told
them that he expected them to live
within whatever appfoprtationss the
Legislature gave them. for their work.
The Governor emphasized the fact
that the Legislature was in session
at the time, and that the Legislature
directly represented the people. He
also told the heads Of these depart
ments and institutions that the Legis-
lR4ure imposed the taxes and the de-
partments and institutions are re-
spousibie for how they are spent.
The Governor said that he would
not be responsible for overdrafts 4
departments and institutions ex-
ceeded their appropriations. The Gov
ernor wanted the fact made clear to
everybody that the practice Of ask
ing the Governor and Council to pro-
vide large sums Of money to meet
deficits should be discontinued, and
that he felt that the Council should
not take unto itself the power Of an
appropriating body.
The departmental and institutional
heads assured the Governor they
would conform to his plans. and the
result In most cases has been salts
factory. In the past there has been
tendency for departments and in
stitutions to use up the last dollar OF
their appropriations given them by
the Legislature. but Governor Baxter
believes that strict economy should
be exercised In state affairs, just as
in private affairs. He is Of the opinion
that II 1t appears that balance fs to
be left In an appropriation, the expen-
ditures Of that department should be
carefully watched 50 that that balance
may be saved and used for some
other proper purpose. Governor Bax-
ter does not want his administration
to have a deficiency bnl which the
next Legislature would have to pay.
In other words, when the Legislature
DEGREES that q fixed amount Of money
Is to be appropriated from the State
Treasury for given purpose, the mat
ter should end there. That is ali that
should be spent fos that purpose un-
less a real emergency arises after the
Legislature adjourns.
Governor Baxter informed the heads
of the State departments and insh'
tnttpns that he planned to take the
public into his confidence and give
them an account of his stewardship
for the first SIX months period OF his
administration. The following figures
show what has been accomplished. A
statement that the Auditor prepared
at the request Of the Governor shows
that 363 separate appropriations were
made by the Legislature for tho first
SIX months Of the year 1891. The total
appropriations made by Che 1921 Leg
islature amounted to $2,5W, ,512.17
The total amount Of overdrafts dur
ing this six months period amounted
to $41,689.S7. In this overdraft item
Is Included $203.49 for Pensions to
retired employees as provided by Law
and for which no appropriation was
made by the Legislature; $722.17 for
the special emergency railroad rate in
vestigation: and $1321.S8 for complet-
ing the Blaine Memorial which was
begun In 1920 and which had been
only partially completed. After de-
Quoting these items there Is left an
actual overdraft of $3s,442.35 for
which the departments and institu-
tions of this administration are re-
sponsible. To meet this overdraft
money VIII be taken from the State
Contingent Fund, which Is made up
Of lapses that accumulate from such
appropriations as have not been fully
expended.
The Departments and Institutions
that exceeded the appropriation
which the Legislature made for them
ar6 aS lOuOWb.
ADJUTANT GENERALS DEPT.
Office expenses $s2.10
ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE.
Salaries & Clerk Hire 164.7S
General Office Expenses 561.1S
Inheritance Ta1es-Salary and
Expenses 1887
BOARD OF PRISON COMMISSION
ERS.
State Probation Officer 265.22
BLAINE MEMORIAI-(To complete
work begun In 1890 and left un-
finished) 1,321.S6
COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE
Salary and Clerk Hire 104.11
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
Education Of the Blind 61.1e
Emloyees Pensions mo appro-
priation by Lestslatue) 103.4s
Railroad Investigation Especial
AN emergency 722.11
HOSPITAL TRUSTEES
MYDenSAa 61927