The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1884-10-09
Why tho Auditor Did 1.-THE Desperation of

Why tho Auditor Did 1.-THE Desperation of
Ills Faction. .... ra
Though it has been stated by citizen
0: responsibilityand endorsed by anewspa-
per Outstanding, thepeoplc wonder whether
it can be true that the Auditor OF the State
OF West Virginia has the hardihood to re-
fuse to let them know the condition OF
their financial affairs. 1t is known that
the State runs behind farther every year
that with all the violation OF law to make
ends meet the law continues to be vio-
lated with al increasing debt. Bydigging
into official reports and accepting official
estimates the debt is assumed to be over
100000.
1t may be much greater. However this
may be, the State administration refuses
to let the people know what the debt is
and what the money has gone for. 1t is
apparent that this opens tho administra-
ton to very grave suspicious. Ii there is
nothing wrong, why hide it all from the
public view? 1t is public business which
these public officers are charged with-if
they have been iaithiultotheir trusts, why
not let the people know it?
Tho Auditor is the book-kccper for the
State. What right has he TO say that the
taxpayers OF the State shall not know
what their books show? Would any bust
ness man tolerate q boot-keeper who
would treat him SO? The Auditor has not
done this thing on his own account. He
is guarding the political interests OF that
faction Of the Democratic party 10 which
he belonss-thc faction which invented
thesupplemental assessment, which whipt
: the Supreme Court in 10 do its bidding
and abet its schemes, which nominated
the Democratic ticket now in the field and
is moving heaven and earth to iasten its
nominees on the PEOPLE.
This is the faction OF the Democratic
party with which Mr.. James N. Mason's
Wall street syndicate has made its alliance
"for revenue only" that the way may be
made easy to plumber the tax payers Of
this State.
Governor Hendricks says there ought
to be "a change in National administra-
ton so that Democrats may inspect the
books-books that are open to everybody
who desires to inspect them. The Uni
ted States Treasury publishes month
ly statement, the press repubisl,cs it and
he who runs may read. That statement
shows no deficit. 1t shows m excess OF
receipts over expenditures, and something
ahead. 1t shows war debt rapidly d.
minishing in principal and in interest ac-
count.
II Governor Hendricks is logical, ought
there not to be 4 change in tho admins
tration Of the affairs OF Il State whose &C.
counting officers refuse to account to the
people? Is not a change imperativcly
necessary when it is 4 public scandal that
this refusal rests on the sole foundation OF
a wholesome fear OF the public vengeance ?
Its very fortunate for the public wei
fore that IN opportunity for II forced nc
counting is Mt hand. The ireeu.cn Of
West Virginia have it in their power to
psy open tho doors Of thcwhited sepulchre
called the State House, and examine the
books for themselves. The ballot will do
the business. What do the people say
do they want to know how their affairs
have been managed? Let them strike
while the iron is hot n