The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1886-06-08

yides that he shsll have $1,000 e gear
for his services, but it seems that Dr..
ByeIs has been on TIE road so much dur
ing he past wear that bis expenses a.
mount to about this. What interest Of
the State vas sahserved by the SeeEetaFY
of The Board Of State Charities making
wn trips to Ptlsbargh, Baltimore. Cal
oago Philadelphia, New York and Wash
ipgton daring the year. at an expense OF
S137.30 10 not explained in the report
made to the Legislature. In addition 10
this, under the head Of office expenses,
will be found livery bills to the amount
of S25, paid 10 parties which has aus-
picious look upon its face. because the
Board Of State Charities has no necess-
ity fol the use OF livery in Columbus. as
all The institutions of The State are reach
ed easily and conveniently by the differ
Gu, lines Of street cars.
s at The secretaryship OF the Board g
State charities has been bonanza to the
Bye:s family is farther evidence hy the
facl that in addition to the 81, ,843.7l paid
A. G Byers for his services and travel
ing expenses. the further sum OF $1,000
was paid to W. R Byers, son Of the
Secretary, as clerk in the office, when
the law does not contemplate this office
at all, and makes no provisions for it
under the sections OF the statutes FORM
ing the Board and prescribing its pow
ers. Who authorized Dr.. Byers to en-
ploy his own son as clerk to himself,
and who fixed his salary at 81 600 per
annum2 These are pertinent inquiries
which can be answered in the next re.
port OF the Secretary, along with his
suggestions for the better government Of
the penal and benevolent Institutions Of
til estate
In tie list it will be found that the
State Board OF Charities used up $50
worth OF ice during the year, as much as
is consumed by saloon In the same
length Of time, while the expenses OF q
janitor for the year reached S120 more.
These items OF office expense will seem
remarkable in connection with the fact
that plscard on the door Of the room
occupied by the Secretary in the State
Hoase, announces that the office hours
are only from 10 to IL and from 2 TO a
each day How the Office gets away
With $50 worth OF ice year. when it is
only open four hours day, will seem
extraordinary 10 the people who renem-
Der that the man who authorized these
figures is a minister of the gospel, as
well as secretary of the Board of State
Charities
is charged by those 10 position 10
know that DR.. Byers is very much in fa-
I.vor of nepotis m, and that some relative
of his can be found on the paw roll OF
nearly every one of the States bnevo-
lent Institutions, and that the good doc-
tor has o habit of making the Officers OF
these Institutions understand that his re-
laiiFes must have the best places and the
easiest york, or else be will make it de-
cidot;iq uncomfortable for them in his
annual report. This state Of affairs may
account fer the singular fsct that the
only kind OF institutions criticised or
condemned in any way, by the doctor.
in bis report, are county inirmaries and
jails, neither Of which have any places
to hestow that relative of the Secre-
tary Of The Rosrd Of State Charities
would care 10 occupy.
All these things. taken together. will
he sufficient to convince the fsirminied ed
that the proposition with which this ar
iicle began is true, and based upon facts
which cannot be geinssved or cnniro-
verted. TIE Board of State Charities is
useless and cumbersome piece Of ma.
chinery, and should either he abolished
or so improved that something tangible
can be accomplished With it. As it is
st present formed and constituted il can
do nothing, for the reason that it has no
power to do anything, and only exists
in order TO furnish nice, soft situations
for DIR. Byers and bis family. The only
function possessed by his board is the
privilege OF giving advice, and the Lord
knows there is mere OF this commodity
lying around loose than can ever be ulil-
ized. Il is even cheaper and freer than
salvation, &c DR. Byers himself will ac-
knowledge. and for the State of Ohio to
pay about IS 600 a year for this kind OF
stuff is the sheercst kind OF nonsepsa
and every sensible man will agree with
the The Capital in this conclusion