, 1922-07-18
Mr.. Chaplin Submits
Figures

-
EDITOR Trfbume.-In your issue of
July 10. you published an article from
Honorable Fenimoro Chatterton. for
morly secretary of state and acting
governor. relating to state expenses.
Mr.. Chatterton makes n comparison
M contingent funds covering the early
years Of this century and the present
time He finds that the expenses Of
the state have increased enormously
during the period from 1905 to 1921.
Incidentalg. he also publishes the
fact that the valuation of Btate prop
crty has increased about tenfoli DUR
ing the name period
Personally. Z am interested In the
contingent fund of the secretary of
state- Nh. Chatterton publishes the
expense account but does not say any
thing relating TO ths income of the of
fice. The only fair way TO reach a
conclusion in matters of income and
expense is by proportion. If the ex-
pense betweec tho time he held the
office of secretary of state and the
present time has increased. when COM
pared with the income, then he has
Just ground for complaint But II
there has been a reduction in the ex-
penBe when compared with tho in
come. then he ought to give prope
credit We take It for granted that
Mr.. Chatterton ia honest in his en-
deavor to better conditions, though
there arc some things IN his article
that make one suspect that he Is
biased and prejudiced.
In order that we may get the exact
facts and reach a correct conclusion,
let us compare tho business of the
office OF secretary OF ctate during the
ffr5t two a he held the Same with
the business of the first two years
of the present administration.
Mr.. Chatterton was secretary of
state between April 10, 1908 and
March 81, 1905. The receipts of his
office during that time were 500, 714.35
and his expenditures, not including
his own salary or that of his DEPUTY,
were $6.47e.2a. the per cent being
$3.50. Taking tho IKE period. April
1, 1919 TO March 81. 1921, the receipts
Of h office of secretary of state
wsre S623,154.s2 and the expenditures
IS ,754.3s. not Including the salary of
myself or deputy. the per cent being
sos. The expenditures of the first
appropriation period of tho present
term were only 23.3 per sent of those
of the same period IN Mr.. Chattcrton's
administration. when receipts are
compared with disbursements. In
other words. his expenditures were
4-2S times a. great.
When the last democratic admin.
~istration was In power. the money re
ceived from automobile licenses did
not go into tho state treasury, but
wa divided. up among the counties,
excepting 20 per cent, which was re-
tanned by the secretary for expenses.
This 20 per ent may be compared
with the 500 per cent It is now cost
ing to issue automobile licenses. I'M
der the present statute, all autumo-
bile money goes directly intc the state
treasury and an appropriation is
made for the purpose of carrying on
the expenses of the secretary's office.
Not m cent is needlessly expended.
The office is being conducted at the
lowest possible cost.
Judging from the reckless manner
IN which Mr.. Chatterton has handled
the figures in connection with the Of
flee of secretary of state, ove- which
he at time presided. it Is reasonable
to presume that he has erred all along
the line. By comparison Is the oniy
way We can reach correct results and
honest conclusions.
This is not offered in any sense as
a defense or a apology but simply to
keep h record straight,
WE. CHAPLIN.
Cheyenne. wyo.