The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1878-01-17

W.
Is constant incentive to premature under.
takings. If these were prosecuted only as fast
a. they could be paid for in cash, they would
be limited to the urgent need of the hour, and
extrayagant expenditures and resulting op-
Hence the obvious policy Of discountcnancing
the contraction OF debt and the consistent OF.
legation Of all good citizens to curtail their
private expenses and live within their means.
This is alike the duty of all classes-rich and
poor, lender and borrower producer and con-
sumer-for the interests Of all are involved in
the result In no other direction is the iden-
tity of the individual with the common good,
more signally exhibited than in that policy
which consults the capacity of the honest pur-
chaser to pay his honest debts as affecting,
not only those Immediately concerned, but the
interests Of all. In the firm pursuit Of this
simple policy will be found not only the prompt
correction of obvious abuses, but in my judg-
ment the first condition for tho practical solu.
tlon VI the profound problems which closely
concern the existence of our political and So
cla! fabric. The shedding of fraternal blood
whlcn was last summer witnessed in the in
dustrial ccnters of the country, is a solemn ad-
monition of the perils to be sooner or later en-
countcred from the unsettled questions grow
ing out or the mOmentous relations of copi-
tai and labor, and supply and demand, upon
which our own personal and associated prac-
tices have an inevitable bearing. If we may
not discover sovereign remedy for so radical
an ailment We may at least avoid some of the
causes which aggravate the evil.
With all the financial skill and boasted pro-
gress OF the age, no short cut has yetbeen dis
covered as an escape from the time honored
necessity to spend less than we make, as the
first essential to real success. Whatever NAV
011r uvNO Otor rSo1o md
ity, 1t is not flattering to our Wanted civilza-
Ton that we possess SO little social wisdom;
that we cucumber our neighborly intercourse
with the costly follies and affectations of
6edizened society; that we hamper our social
freedom with the machinery Of needless con-
mind and financial standing, to support the
mockery Of social parade.
REFORM.
Let us with one accord turn to simpler and
noblcr ways. Let us endeavor to correct that
growing aversion to manual labor, which is
making efteminate idlers of our young men.
Let us vindicate the dignity and manful status
OF patient toll. Let us show the false attrac-
tlons that tend to overcrowd our cties and
expose the flimsy glamour which lures honest
labor from manly self-support to a condition
OF beggarly dependence. Let us frown upon
scnseless extravaganza in public and private
affairs, and attest the character of rational
yency,and an attribute of higher civilization
Let us be superior to that flattery Of a shallow
local pride which induces struggling commu-
mites to oppress themselves with the cost of
premature improvements. Let us discourage
the ruinous disposition, especially of small and
selves with debt in aid of visionary railroad
schemes. Let us resolve to pay as we go
and discontinue the seductive expedent of es
Gaping present difficulty by the easy post
ponemcnt of solemn obligations and above all
let us resolve not to afford the humiliatng
which rush into debt with precpitancy
equalcd only by the disgraceful expcdients with
which they seek to escape its honest payment.
Every consideration of expedlency and honor
should impel us to seek that profit from expe-
rience, without which the advent of special
fortune may prove curse rather than bless
ing. The measure Of our success shall attest
our progress toward a deserved and enduring
prosperity.
PUBLIC EXAMINER.
Among the inevitable results of this cxpan-
sion Of credit, are the extravaganza and in
continued malfeasancc in Office, and especial
ly an alarming increase of embezzements and
dcfalcations by local custOdans OF public
funds. In view of the growth of these evils,
and of the constant liability of the abuse of
the public interests arising as we'll from ofli-
cial incapacity as from intentional misman-
agemcnt of them, earnestly renew the rec
ommendation made in my inaugural mes
sage, for the appointment of competent ac-
countant for frequent and searching examin-
ations of the books of public officers and those
charged with the handling of the funds of all
public institutions.
Nothing would insure the honest and care
full conduct of officials more than their liabili-
ty to be suddenly called upon at irregular and
unexpected periods by an authorized examiner
intent upon an exhaustive investigation of
their accounts. It would be reasonably Ger
tain of achieving the same excellent results
as have been gained by the unlocked for visit,
ernment to the banking institutions through
out the country. Such an accountant should
be man Of the highest integrity and persist
ent tirmness, with the experience, tact and
skill of an expert. He should act in the Gil
pacity OF instructor, as we'll as in that of ex-
merely to expose culpable practices, and cor
rect erroneous modes OF accounting. but when
necessary to order new books and establish
and enforce proper system of keeping the
IS me, To meet the requirements of so diff
cult and responsible position only person
Of character would be fully competent, and of
course sufficient salary should be provided
to command the superior services of such
person. The management of county finances
under the present law is without adequate
supervision by the board of county auditors,
who, even when possessed of the requisite
power, and inclination for the purpose, can
not effectually perform such duty without
the technical knowledge and skill possessed by
experts. For the same reason the brief and
formal visits of legislative committees to our
State institutions are destitute of any protec-
tive or supervisory value The probable adj
tuition providing for biennial sessions, lends
additional and imperative force to the meas
ure so far as State institutions are involved,
both in necessitating double appropriations
for two, instead Of one years maintenance,
they will be exempt from all supervision what
ever. The importance of this Subject is too
apparent to need further elucidation. Its ad-
option could hardly fail both to ensure more
efficient and economical management of
state institutions, and to promote feeling of
security relative to the conduct of these no.
bic charities, the proper support of which is
the pardonable pride Of an enlightened people.
To any objection founded upon the expense
OF the proposed new office, it will be sufficient
to say that the loss sustained by any one of the
recent defalcations of county treasurers in this
State would several times cover the cost of
the additional provision demanded for their
prevention.
COUNTY FUNDs-sTATE BANKS.
In fllrtherance Of the same end recommend
that you cause thorough enquiry to be made
to ascertain what further provision may be
needed for the greater care of county funds,
with reference to their deposit in banks, the
securities and collection of interest Therefor.
and the due safeguards required in the check
ing out of such funds, and alss the further au-
thority or means which may be deemed requi-
site to facilitate the enforcement by county
attorneys of the present and future provisions
| oflaw concerning the same. The nature Of
q I'M 1oy o1 OF fn Qfo{n