The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-09-24

species Of patronage, more than once
since the financial offices Of the executive
department has been in the hands OF the
Wings. More than once have the ulli-
mate uses ofpublic money been felt in the
atmosphere ofpolilcal management, when
it has not been difficult 10 trace the stream
to its fountain, through channels of moral
evasion, if not Of overt malieasance.
1t is the province Of the office OF Auditor
to perform prescribed duties. II is part
of the executive department. It's charac-
ter is one of constant and exclusive obe-
dience to the behests of legislation. 1t
knows no privilege or duty not found in
specific legal provision. The nature OF
the office is peculiar. Its line and field
OF duty are found in municipal prescrip-
lion. There are no details, no extensions
nor limits of power in Constitutions. Fun
damcntal law merely provides for its exis-
tence, and that it shall report all it has
seen and done from time to time. Official
oath looks but to the Constitutions man.
as an officer, swears not TO support the
laws merely, but the Constitution. We
all know that there has long been species
Of casuistry rife in the land which acquis
any malteasance in an officer, not forbid
den by the letter of the Constitution. ibis
loose principle OF moral accountability has
been more largely infused into public sem
iiment by the whig party, in order to in
sure them immunity in Galphinism, Gard
nerism. Land Scrptism, 1hree-per-cent-
fundism, and all the other sms expressive
of the abuse of public money for the ac'
complishment of party ends, and the de-
pleton Of the public Treasury for the re-
ward Of party services.
We leave it to the peope,-ask your
selves. if you can perceive in community
that wholesome growth of aversion to Off
cial dereleclion, particularly IN money
matters, which once you all felt, surround
ing you palpably as the pervading light OF
day? Has not moral sentiment degener.
ated-and who will stain his soul with the
indelible lie, that habitual whig mal.admin.
istraton has not been the sole cause oi
this alarming lapse in political morality?
Even wings, themselves, have been COM
PEELED to praise our Broughs. and other
democratic Auditors, and our Treasurers.
A State Auditor should look closely to
the plain letter of the law as to his duties
these he should obey, and stop there. II
he is allowed by public iorbearance to 60
beyond them one step-his power becomes
literally boundless. Who does remember
the appropriate appellation given by Sen
ator Archbold to the present State Auditor,
when he was urging the passage Of resou-
tons looking to the limitation of the Audi
tors power, and expression of censure
upon his frequent transcensions Of the
plain legal intent of his duty. This
"Linsey- -woolsey King, ''said Mr.. A. should
be shorn of his infinite discretion over all
affairs of State, unless we plain republi'
cans are ready to confess ourselves scrfs,
instead of sovereign freemen.
Whose fault has it been that this officer
has won SO Justly this graphic cognomen
of Mr.. A? Is the fault OF the Constitution,
or even of the law. Can any man believe
that our Legislators in 1925, meant to clothe
a mere executive State Clerk, with un-
checked power upon that portion Of the
taxes relating to our public works. And
yet he has exercised plenary-"Kingly"-
power on that subject! He has made his
office in that subject, The taring poDcr Of
this State! 1t is not the fault Of the office
but of the man. He belongs 10 a party
who 90 for striking down all limits to off.
cial power, and while wearing the garb o.
servant, becoming the master; and no man
will say that Auditor Woods has not shown
his faith by his works. The property ant
the people Of Ohio, have been the mere
sport of his arbitrary and sovereign will
No matter how closely and distinctly
defined may be the powers of an office, i
all depends upon the principles and char
acter Of the officer, whether his services be
marked with strictness of Interpretation
and its certain consequence, perfect fideli
ty of performance. We exhort the people
OF Ohio to remember that if they eec
WILLIAM DUANE MORGAN, to the office o
State Auditor, things will be changed. His
plain practical talents, his thorough ant
unselhsh honesty. and his enlarged compe
tency. warrant the assurance that the
money of the office will be kept to its lega
use. he will be found ever at his post, and
the people will never have it to say that he
has changed merely administrative powers
into despotism worthy the ruler-ship o
! Russia!-StaieSman.
OUR CANDIDATE FOR STATE TREAS
URER.
Several casual notices and paragraphs
have appeared in the Statesman upon the
character and talents of JOHN G. BREsLIN
since the opening of the present cam
paign. But in pursuance of our plan ii