The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1896-05-02
AUDITOR GENERAL


says:
The task Of selecting the men who
shall conduct the business Of the state
for the ensuing biennial period will de-
volvc upon the Republicans Of Michigan,
the people baying but once assigned
that duty TO the Democrats. and then TO
their infinite detriment and chagrin. SO
great was this disappointment that the
people OF the state embraced the very
first opportunity to restore the trust to
those who lad never betrayed il. The
Republican state convention which will
meet this summer will. therefore. have
most important duty to perform, and it
behooves the representatives of the par
" who will constitute that convention to
exercise the utmost care Ia selecting cam
didates for the several Offices to be filled
at the next general election.
There is no more important Office ere
atcd by the constitution o. this state than
that Of auditor general From the very
earliest history Of the state this fact
has been recognized. and the Importance
OF the Office has kept pace with the
growth OF the comm onwealth and the in
crease in the humber OF It's Institutions
SO rapid has been this development and
increase that the auditor general is now
the executive head of the most extensive |
department OF state government. Devolv- |
ing upon the incumbent OF this Important |
office Is the supervision OF all accounts
between the state and all those with
whom 1t has financial dealing'. In this
capacity the auditor general is, In a
sense, the watchdog Of the treasury"
for without his sanction not dollar of
money can be paid from the funds Of the
state. Another important duty which
this official is required to perform is that
which has to do with the Ievyng and
collection OF the state tax and the several
specific taxes provided fer by the consti.
tuition. Finally. it is within the scope
OF this officials duties to supervise the
financial relations OF the state with the
various state Institutions. ...
1t will thus be seen that the details
which go to make up the general require
mentS referred to constitute in their en- {
ttrcty the matters Of state business with
WHICH the taxpayers are most yitalIy con-
cerDed. The need for the exercise Of the E
utmost caution IN the selection of the
person to whom the discharge OF these
duties Is TO be entrusted must he readily
appreciated by all who have the interests
OF the party and the state at heart.
The wise and proper performance Of
the duties devolving upon the incumbent
OF the Office OF auditor general necessi.
tates a thorough knowledge Of the needs
OF the various institutions aud the sys-
TENS upon which they are conducted. as
well as complete familiarity with the
legislation affecting each.
The Herald believes that no one who
has been mentioned in connection with
the nomination for auditor general Dos
sesses the knowledge requisite to the best
possible discharge of the numerous and
exacting duties Of the Office to such a
degree as o. c. Tompkns, who, for
several years has made careful and
exhaustive study Of these very questions
and has had opportunities for putting the
knowledge thus acquired to practical
test. So generally is Mr.. Tompkns' fit
ness for this Office recognized throughout
the state, that upwards OF so Republican
newspapers, representing between 40 and
so counties. have thus early endorsed his
candidacy for the nomination for auditor
general. Neither Mr.. Tompkins repub-
llcanism nor ability has ever been ques-
toned, and we believe that the party
would be doing itself and honor and the
state service by nominating him for
this important office"