The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1922-01-26
BARBER SAYS VERMONT
BUDGET SYSTEM Is WRONG

Thinks There should be a Law Re
curing That Governmental Expens-
e. be Provided For Before Special
Interests are Considered.
Brattleboro, Jan. i9-An executive
budget law, which would require that
the Legislature provide funds for gov
ernmental expenses before considering
any special interests, was advocated
by Representative Frank E. Barber OF
Brattleboro, tonight in speaking be
fore three Springfield clubs in the
home OF Gov. James HARNESS. Mr..
Barber was invited to speak to the Al
trurian club, a woman's organization.
which invited as guests the Cosmopol-
itan and Outlook clubs.
Mr.. Barber opened his remarks by
explaining how government functions
under a democracy, calling attention
10 the executive, legislative and judic-
ial departments, and the constitutional
provisions providing that these remain
entirely separate and independent. He
touched upon the theory Of our polit-
ical system, stating that government
should not be limited to the mere duty
Of governing the people by the exer-
else Of its police power, but that it has
a higher duty,-that Of promoting the
educational interest Of the people, en-
cour. cling their industrial pursuits, de-
veloping its natural resources, foster
h ing its commercial interest and provid-
ing reasonable facilities demanded by
prudent regard for the growth, de-
velopment and general prosperity OF
the people.
He then proceeded with discussion
of the work Of the Legislature and It's
problems, saying in part:
The most important work which the
Legislature has to do is to make the
necessary appropriations for the sup
port Of the general government, and
IN provide revenue with which to meet
these appropriations. While TINS
shculd be the most important, still 1t
is made Of secondary Importance UNI
der existing conditions. The so-called
budget bill providing support OF these
State activities or commissions is new
or considered by the Legislature until
after all the special appropriations
have been passed upon. This system
and the policy which the Legislature
has pursued is entirely wrong. II en-
ables the special interests, or these
who desire money from the public
treasury for any purpose, to get their
appropriation through, before the gov
ernmental items are considered, and at
time when the members have little
knowledge Of the States income or the
amount required for governmental
purposes. Furthermore, it permits
the departments with the greatest
political strength and influence to OBJ
tain allowances through the budget at
the expense Of other departments
Every department or commission is a
separate agency log-rolling and lobby
ing with the members, using every IN
fluence possible in favor OF their par
ticular department. No regard what
ever is paid TO other departments, no
balancing Of accounts or comparison
Of the quality or relative value OF the
work which one department Is doing
as compared with another. The bill
providing for a committee on budget
was enacted in 1915, but anyone,
familiar with State history must con-
cede that It is not sufficient to stem
the tide Of mounting expenses. Au-
thority under this law is so divided
that we can expect but little from it,
judged by the past.
The procedure in the Legislature
must change-the order OF things
must be reversed. These special APP
preparations must give way to the ap-
preparations for governmental pur-
poses. To my mind, the State needs
an executive budget law. The govern
or is elected in November two months
before the Legislature convenes. 1t
should be the first work Of the incom-
ing governor to prepare and deliver to
the Legislature his inaugural message,
dealing solely with the revenue OF the
State, showing in concrete form the
amount Of money available from all
sources. II should also contain list
Of the States activities with the prob