Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-08-13
Continued from Page ons)

mission of Governor Brewster's
charges: 49,
governor Brewster delivered spe-
cial message to the SIND Legislature
dealing with the condition of the
STATE Treasury and Of the State Con-
tinreut Fund. He endeavored to
rnake It appear that large sums of
.na States money had been spent
unlAwfully and that huge debts had
neen left for him to pay, and he
,rnplied that extravagant and waste
All methods had been employed by
ths previous administration. His
massage was not based upon facts,
Was unfair to his predecessors and
vas unworthy of a Governor of the
STATE Of Maine.
The States Business or Fiscal"
Year July list to June SOth
The States fiscal year begins July
let OF any given year and ends June
90th the year following. This means
thst the Governor and Council who
retire from office in January plan
the States finances to date six
months after their retirement, that
Il until the following Both Of June.
The new Governor takes the helm in
the middle of the business year
PLANNED for and begun by his prede-
cessor and in so far as the States
fnances are concerned, except for
minor matters, the old Governor
responsibility continues for six
months following. If the business
wear closes satisfactorily the old
Coyernor is entitled to credit. If
otherwise, he must bear the blame.
Although I did not approve of this
overlapping system, 1t is in accord
snce with the law Of the State and
must be complied with. 1t makes
for confusion and evasion of respon-
I hility. 1t Is unfair both to the old
and new administrations.
eyiiddle of Figures
Governor Brewster made his SEN
sational address In February, 1925.
and took his figures and drew his
conclusions in the middle of the
states financial or 'fiscars year.
certain book accounts at that time
had been somewhat drawn down, but
h made no mention of the fact that
large sums of money would flow into
the State Treasury during the fol-
lowing six months period ending
June so, 1925. He knew or should
have known that these accounts
would be rapidly built up by incom-
ing revenue more than sufficient to
care for them air At all times there
was an ample margin of cash on
hand.
Cash income received between
january, LIST and June 30th, 1925.
amounted to $6,394, S19.71, which
was more than sufficient to pay all
outstanding accounts. My admins
tration so arranged the States
finances that there was left in the
State Treasury on July list, 1925, a
cash alance of $2.612. 4S4.51 and the
state CONTINGENCY Fund on that date,
after the lapses of excess income
and after a portion only of the un-
expended balances had been cred
tied to it, amounted to $612.796.33.
Il will be seen that I myself was
Obliged to wait until the middle OF
July when the States books were
! closed in order to be entirely accu-
rate in my figures. For this reason
was unable earlier to reply to Gov
6 ernor Brewster's attack.
An. Investigation"
After / returned home in the late
1 Spring from my trip to South Amer
4 lea. ! learned that a number OF ex-
! pert accountants had been put to
work on the States account books In
the Auditors Office and that at the
time startling disclosures" as to the
states financial condition momenta-
rily were expected. Governor Brew
asr's message furnished the looked
for excitement.
nv friends forwarded this mes
ssge to South America. but 1t did not
: reach me until after had returned
home. When I read 1t the latter
part Of May, I was shocked 1t tts
unfairness and at its attempt to dis
credit my Councillors and myself.
The former Governor, having started
on his journey and unable to defend
himself had but a handful of loyal
friends to speak a good word for
him.
propose to defend my Admins
tration and show that my Council
lors and myself administered the
States affairs conscientieusly. eco
nomicaily, lawfully, and in the pub
lie interest.
Governor Brewster's Accusation
Governor Brewster also said that
during the six months period since
June 30, 1924, the charges to the
! Contingent Fund have amounted to
Ao6110.68 in clear violation of the
legislative provisions, regarding dis
bursements Of this fund.-" This
charged my Administration with
having committed unlawful acts. II
any Of the States money was un-
lawfully spent by us immediate
steps should be taken by the State
. recover 1t and my Councillors, IN
GLIDING Messrs. Folsom and Pea
cock. the State Treasurer and State
Auditor, are all equally responsible
WITH myself. Such an accusation was
extraordinary for 1t charged US all
With breaking the law and involved
two members of Governor Brewster
own Council, Messrs. Folsom and
Peacock.
The average citizen who read the
above quotation no doubt believed
that Governor Baxter and his Coun-
cillors had spent $436, 119.68 of the
states money illegally, whereas az
matter of fact, every dollar OF that
amount that was appropriated or
spent was done so. not only lawfully,
out wisely, and the State received
Sood consideration therefor.
The Contingent Fund law makes
re Governor and Council final
!udges Of whether or not the Legis-
azure made sufficient provision
aor the State Departments and In
altutions, of what expenses have
zen necessarily incurred under any
Quirement of law or for the main
nance Of government" and Of what
institutes an emergency" They
fssHie these questions once and for
~ and their decisions cannot be
Sssf.ruled by the Courts.
ny Absolutely Illegal" $4S6, 1885
how was this $436, 119.68 spentf