Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-09-19
The Tax Payers are Signing.

The Manchester Press in its issue
Of January IL. 1906, contained the
following Indictment against Gov.
Cummins:
Readers of The Press are aware
that this paper, although opposed to
many of the economic views enter
tanned by Gov. A. b. Cummins, has
invariably given him credit for cir
cumspect dealing with the state
and conscientious discharge of his
duties as executive. 1t is, therefore,
with considerable of surprise that
We learn of what seems to be unwar-
rantable and unprecedented extrava-
gance in the administration of the
executive Office by Mr.. Cummins.
In another column on this page will
be found an article from the Des
Moines Capital, compiled from the
reports of the state executive council,
setting fourth in detail numerous
instances Of lavish expenditure Of
money by the governor and his as
sistants. 1t is shown that the total
expense connected with the COVER
nor's office, during the last three
and one-half years, is $5S,673.O5,
while during the last three years Of
Shaw the expense was only $4O,9l3.
46. Thus it will be seen that the
Cummins administration has spent
nearly $4,000 more for the oper-
alton of the executives office alone
than did the Shaw administration.
"But this is not all, nor is it the
most important or serious point in
volved. AS governor, Secretary
Shaw drew not dollar from the
contingent fund on his own personal
account. Mr.. Cummins has drawn
$2,99l.47. Mr.. Shaw did not
charge a single dollar to the state
for travelling expenses. Mr.. Cum
Minis has drawn warrants for $2,-
665.62 for travelling expenses Of
himself ard his friends. In every
department Of the executive Office
extravaganza is shown. For in
stance, the Thanksgiving procla-
nations issued by the governor
have cost the state the sum of 1868.
rs. while the Shaw administration
incurred expense on this account of
only 5000. Telegraph and tele-
phone messages cost as much under
the present administration, office
supplies and furniture were almost
doubled, Office expenses were prac-
tically trebled, and nearly $1,000
additional was required for printing
and binding for the governor him
self. Mr.. Cummins, himself an
able lawyer, has found it necessary
to pay out nearly 500 for addition
al counsel, while Shaw, the banker,
|required hut $3.50 for that purpose.
"The Press speaks of these things
not in a spirit of carplng criticism,
but to direct attention to a tendency
in the gubernatorial office which
should be restrained. Iowa is not
niggardly with his servants. It be-
lieves in liberal policy and no
state house Office has ever been
seriously handicapped by lack of
funds for its maintenance. But
when it comes to nearly doubling
the expenses of a preceding ad-
ministration, the taxpayer will be
justified in making inquiry into
the necessity therefore. If Mr..
Cummins can explain on what
authority he drew nearly $4,000 on
personal account, when his pred
ecessor did not draw single dollar,
he should be given an opportunity
to do so. While Mr.. Cummins is
instigating newspaper attacks on
Frank Merriam and Max Beehler
for alleged overcharges, he might
devote part of his energy to clear
ing up this little item Of $4,000
While his satellites are denounc:ne
all who do not agree with them as
open suspicion, why can't they take
a day off and look into the matter of
reform right at home?
"Mr. Cummins was nominated
for governor after a campaign in
which he denounced the Shaw ad.
ministration as corrupt, and declared
that it was his purpose to reform
the state and particularly the gov.
ernor's Office. If the state executive
council digs up any more samples
of the governors particular kind ol
reform" there will be some voci
ferrous sighing for the good old days
among the taxpayers Of the state.