1916] OF THE SENATE. 43

fore, important that they be brought directly to the attention
of those we wish to interest in a most attractive and convincing
manner. No better way can be thought of than by a well
planned and thoroughly executed advertising campaign. To
do this, should be the business of someone particularly and
technically equipped, whose sole thought and business should
be to see that it is done and done thoroughly.

BUDGET SYSTEM.

The State's financial condition, occasioned by the Legislature
having appropriated to certain semi-public institutions more
money than there was reason to expect would arise from the
State's revenues, created a situation which has directed the
public mind toward considering some preventive measure
whereby the same situation cannot again arise. Hence it fol-
lows that consideration should be given to some system that
will fix a maximum amount beyond which the Legislature can-
not appropriate money to any particular function of govern-
ment. Contrary to the usual idea of a budget system (which
* is understood to mean an enumeration of governmental necessi-
ties which should be properly taken care of by levies) the
State finds that in the adoption of this system it must accommo-
date its expenditures to probable receipts, —the receipts becom-
ing the fixed quantity to which the expenditures must adapt
themselves. To do this with any degree of satisfaction or accu-
racy requires more time and study than the constitutional limi-
tation of your Sessions can possibly allow. It will, therefore,
become necessary to vest, by Constitutional authority, in cer-
tain designated officials, the power to fix a maximum amount
which may be appropriated by the Legislature for any particu-
lar governmental purpose. It will require much research and
special information to accomplish this and still leave the
finances of the State flexible enough to meet the exigencies as
they may arise subsequent to the fixing of the amounts needed
for the support of the government. You will, no doubt, have
before you various plans by which this may be done (and it does
seem to be a necessity) and, therefore, I can only urge upon