The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1900-12-22


dorse the administration Of the Bank
ing Department of Missouri by the
secretary Of state. So much for the de-
partment as it has existed since being
established in orr state.
We now come TO consider the issue
of a Separate Banking Department. "
| am informed there Is already a 10Y
ment on foot to present the matter to
your legislature, asking the establish
ing of such a department. will say
to begin with, I am opposed to a
''Separate Banking Department" and
in defense Of my position, will offer to
you my reasons therefor, which | trust
you will consider reasonable, IL not
good, and will ask your kind consider
alton thereof.
In the first place this could only be
secured 10 n Of two ways. In
creating an additional appointive
power by your governor, OF by direct
vote Of the people. for one want to
see the banking interests of u state
kept free from politics, and in either
Of the above methods Of securing such
a department, we certainly are stepping
directly into the uncertainty Of politics,
The governor today has all and more
appointiye power than | for one think
is best. The tail Of his kite (whoever
he may be) Is long enough now, and
then submitting the office TO the choice
of the people is certainly a great
uncertainty, casting as it would the
banking interests Of our state into the
great sea Of politics. You say you do
not know who may be your secretary
Of state 10 the future. Do you know
any mor who will be your future gov
ernor, or who he would appoint, or
who would be your successful candi-
date at the polls? We now certainly
know who will administer the duties of
secretary of state during the coming
period Of four years. At least he is
today to be considered a practical
banker, having for many years served
N the board Of directors Of one OF our
most successful banks, and | believe
with the associates he will have with
him, will administer and serve better
the interests of the banks, as the head
Of the department than could be, by the
creating Of a new and separate one.
Secondly, / am opposed to the
establishing of a separate department
for the reason Of the very heavy addI-
tional expense. l can state TO you
without fear OF contradiction that your
expense will be practically doubled by
the establishing Of a separate depart
ment. Your commissioner, or what
ever you may choose to title him, must
be a man who will command q good
full salary. He must have sufficient
Office force TO conduct the Office, suita-
BILE furniture must be provided. All Of
these features arc provided through the
regular Office Of the secretary of state,
without expense except of one clerk 10
properly care for reports as filed.
What care the legislature regarding the
expenseP II you ask for a separate
department, you will get It, and pay
the expense too, every cent of it don't
lose sight Of that. The Office Of the
secretary OF state under 1.-The state con-
stitution is one Of the six co. coordinate
executive branches of the state govern
meDt, second in Importance 10 no Office
In the state. The executive officer OF
such an Office should eYer be such q
man as would at all times administer
justice economically to our every inter.
est. Our laws today are not perfect,
yet we are accredited with the best
enforced laws of any state. Each sue.
ceeding legislature has made some cor
reetion in our laws, aud they will
continue to do so until no further cor.
r%ections are found necessary. | cannot
for a moment comprehend wherein w
will reap any benefit through a separai,
department, to Justify the very heavy
additional expense, and placing oul
business 10 the hands Of the politicians
1t is free today from all polItica
influences as 1t is possible for il to eve
be, and say let 1t remain where it rs
II there could be any good to be derived
from such a department no one woult
go further and do more for its success
than myself, but having served fou
years under the existing department,
believe my experience justiies me II
stating | believe II would prove
detriment TO the banking interests.
In conclusion, II Is only fair that
shall say that the banking department
as now conducted IL Missouri meet
the high requirements set forth in thi
article. Standing as IL does an Impor
tant part Of one Of the highest eSecu
tive Offices In the state, IL Is now ant
promises TO continue 10 be above small
personal politics, the business beinl
transacted with confidence and salts
faction. Among It's thousands Of trans
actions with banks, not one confidence
has been betrayed. The wedding on
Of the bad banks has brought conf
dence and increased business 10 tb,
good banks, and has removed whaI
was for q long time q source OF anxiety
and uncertainty to the bettor institu,
tons Of the state.