Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-01-21
MORE ABOUT CONTINGENT
FUND

auwunted TO nearly n million and a
half dollars which he claimed was
menace 20 representative govern
ment. saving he did no. believe the
Governor and Council should have
the right 20 use ~ az they saw TT as
n places too much responsibility on
their shoulders and brought too much
pressure on them from various In
forests within the State.
10 I had the inclination said the
Governor I could put II out to little
groups 81 men throughout This State
and m so desired could build up
personal political organization with
the money that would take long to
overturn II allowed TO continue this
fund may reach several millions in n
few years. n rs too much temptation
ard | want Co see the next Legisla-
turo take II and shake II down TO
nhout 5000 000 or $500 900 and use the
balance FOR paying of the state debt
or some good purposes. II this is not
done somebody will come along some
day and use that contingent fund to
break down tho basis of our repre-
sentative government
As an aid 20 better understanding
of THIS question IL would seem well
20 consider the law. AS amended and
finally approved II Is:
warrants may be drawn upon.
charged 10, and paid out of said fund,
% pay outstanding bills or accounts
that were properly chargcable TO the
several appropriations previous TO
the first day OF January OF each year;
20 pay outstanding bills necessarily
contracted by state departments or
state institutions for which the legis-
i,turc failed 20 make sufficient provi-
riou. and 20 pay such other expenses
az may he necessarily incurred under
any requirement OF law or for the
maintenance 81 government. and
which the governor. with the advice
and consent ~ the council. shall
authorize. and 30 much OF said fund
hs NAV he necessary for said pur-
poses ~ hereby appropriated 10 pay
such bills and expenses: provided.
however. thnt no payment shall be
made from this fund, except as above
provided. unless some EMERGENCY
rhail arise requiring an expenditure
~ money not provided for by the
legislature
After n careful reading Of the
above and due consideration Of the
possible ease with which the term
"~merFcncy" may he affixed TO
measure u will not be unreasonable
60 conclude that IL any colored in
dlvidual IL lurking in these provisions
"cmcrgcuey" IL the camoufage for
him. But even under such an as
sumption u is incredible 10 suppose
he In OF such great Importance as
suggested. or has power 10 establish
"a personal political organization"
A. yet no evidence has been pro-
duced TO show how such an achieve
raent could be had and we do not be-
iieve IL possible. We do believe It
possible for ovasions to creep into the
use OF this emergency clause. which
n not Objectionable in other respects
might he the cause OF misunderstand-
Ing and confusion OF records. And
while u IL extremely doubtful IL there
he any grave danger from this source
this feature OF the law may well be
considered with n view to improve
mont. possibly 20 the extent of de-
fininr just what is meant by an
emergency"
In considering the size of thescontin-
gent fund one should not overlook the
fact that the legislature meets once in
two years. that estimates OF income
&C sometimes made two and half
Vars In advance and cannot be accu-
rate. In view of these conditions
there are those OF informed opinion
who think n million dollars not too
large for contingent fund but
who do think some provision might be
made when the fund accumulates be-
yond n fixed amount for investing it
in interest bearing securities.
With regard 10 the matter Of pub
licity all must agree that any individ-
uni or body of individuals handling
the states money should only be per-
mltted 10 do this in the full light of
publicity. The mystery of which the
governor previously complained
should not be tolerated and need not
be. Until the accounts are closed, OF
course. only estimates can be made
respecting the size OF the fund at any
time but these should be acccssi-
hio TO the public and 1t would seem
oxpcdlcnt that whenever any large
expenditure from the fund is con-
templated public hearings might be
held. Now that the war is over ac-
tnal emergencies should be few and
the governor has II within his power
- see that this emergency provision
Is not abused. This OF course entails
responsibility. which AZ times may
not be altogether pleasant. but In
order 20 avoid that should the gen.
uine advantages OF having a suitable
contingency fund he sacrificed? Civ.
en- publicity. a definition Of what shall
~ considered an emergency, and in.
ssstence on making public record OF
al that transpires. there is no good
reason apparent for considering the