The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1876-10-17
row ERLEss GOvERGOR.
The Nature and Duties 0f the
Office Held BY Dir, Hay ca of Ohio.

The Nature and Duties Of the
ONCE Held By DIR. Hayes of Ohio.
To THE EDITOR OF The SUN-SH: ]
have just finished reading Mr.. Nordhof's
recent letter lothe New York Herald,
and am not little surprised at the ig-
norance displayed hy its author in re-
spect 10 our O,iu system of State taxa
tion. and the power and Influence of Our
Governor in shaping Or directing legis
la; ion He says: -.%....4
"Goy. Hayes has been quite as ener-
getic and successful retormer in Ohio
as Gov. Tilden in New York During
the years in which he has been Chief
Executive, he has reduced the State
debt by nearly S3,O00000.i has effected
an annual saving in the State expendi.
lures OF nearly 81 100000 has reduced
the local taxation over BIT 600, 900, and
the State tax from three and half to
two and nine tenths mills, and has Sc,
cured the passage OF laws very strictly
limiting the powers Of local authorities
to borrow and to spend money"
Now, when it is known that in this
State of Ohio the Governor is a mere
figurehead, possessing no power beyond
the appointment (subject to confrma-
ton by the State Senate) Of few trus-
tees of benevolent Institutions, the FILL
ing of vacancies Of certain offices, the
appointment of notaries public, and the
right to call out the militia OF the State
to quell public disorder, and few like
\ facts; that he does not possess the veto
power; that under our Constitution q
lsinking fund has been created for pay.
bag. <the principal and interest of the
public debt; that the Auditor Of State,
Secretary of State, and Attorney-Gen-
eral land not the Governor) are, by the
Constitution, made the commissioners
OF the Sinking FUND.-" that it is the
Legislature os the State that fixes the
tate oftaxation for State purposes; tha,
the local taxation of the State is regula.
ted by the County Commissioners
Township Trustees, School Boards, ant
the Councils Of Municipal Corporations
that it was neither the efforts nor the
ii fiience OF Gov Hayes. but the over
whelming sentiment Of the men OF al
parties that compelled the Legislature
to restrict the power Of the local (nota
bly, municipal) authorities to levy taxe'
and borrow and disburse money; tha
in the four years and eight months o
Gen. Hsyes's occupancy of the guber
material office the Democrats had ma
jority in both branches of the Legisla
ture two years, and that by virtue of hi
: office the Governor has no authority Il
reduce or increase "State expenditures,
the assertion OF Mr.. Nordhoff that he
the Governor) performed such CRANE
ieats of reform and retrenchment be
trays profound ignorance on his part
So tar from making special efforts t.
obtain legislation on any OF the point
mentioned by Mr. Nordhof, it is well
; known fac! that Gov Hayes. beyon
making few recommendation in hi
annual messages (such as are customar
with all incumbents OF the office, whett
er Republican or Democratic), has ts
ken very little open interest in The at
ton of the legislative branch of tn
State Government When our Demo
cratic Governor. William Allen, was j
office. he sent in special messages to tn
Legislature on the subjects Of retrencl
nent and reform in taxation, fees, sails
ries, &c and he would frequently sho'
: himself on the floor OF the two House.
: and drop in upon the members at thei
n boarding places. and upon every prope
occasion would give them the benefit {
his views and experience upon the v.
] tious topics of legislation, particalirl
]. ,chere economy and the reduction oftas,
!, ,rerel under confederation.
. Not 80, Gov Hayes; he neither al
t tempted by irfl renee which his polite.
:. position might be supposed to give hin
n nor by his social status to affect or d
r frect legislation in the interests of r,
: form He has in no manner been ia,
tor in the ends which, by implication
e Mr. Nordhoff alleges were accomplish
e ed during his several terms of Office
!. It is not denied that he has, in the mai
performed his duty; but when it,
claimed by his friends that he has worl
o ed such marvels of reform in this Stat
8 it cannot be permitted to pass witho,
e contradiction. Mr. NOrdhoR says tn,
the record OF Gov Hayes (referlin
J. no doubt to his deeds as q reformer
n l"is less generally known than It wou
e be II he had ever taken the least pair
st to attract public attention toward hin
u self" Now think differently; nndout
y edly the reason %why Gov. Hayes h,
y never claimed credit for the good VOL
l. which Mr.. N attributes to him is th
lie he has too much good sense to do 8
8, knowing that he is no more entitled
g it than is the most obscure citizen Of Il
State. tqq- u.si .sd r.
ls CANTON, Ono, Oct. z.