The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1908-12-17
HARMON

Giving Much Time to the Preliminary
Work in Connection With the Office
OF Chief Executive Of the State
Many Applications for Jobs.
Cincinnati, o., Dec. Ex-Governor
elect Harmon is the hardest worked
and the busiest man in Ohio 81 had
no idea of what l was to undergo
when | was elected" he said today,
sitting at his desk in the Carew
building. Before him were hundreds
of letters. Each one of these he in
sists upon reading in person and an
swering. They dealt with all kinds
of subjects, but the majority were
either personal applications for
places or Endorsements of some ap-
plicant. 'It grieves me-" he de-
clared, when l realize how many de-
serving men there are and how few
places | have to fill. cannot pos
sibly take care of them ALL"
The governor-elect is devoting
more than ten hours a day to his
correspondence. Every morning he
is at his Office by 9 O'Clock and it is
seldom that he leaves before Z in the
evening. Every minute is occupied.
Many callers come during the day
and each receives the most consid.
crate attention.
Some most peculiar letters reach
him, assigning causes why the writer
should be given a place. One
man most considerably stated that
he would be satisfied with anything
from position on the railroad COM
mission of the state to a member of
the working force in the state house
lot. He arranged the different places
in alphabetical order, beginning with
"a" and ending with a." Under
each he gave the reasons for his fit
ness. Another declared he had
worked most assiduously during the
campaign and spent his money with
lavish hand. If there was no position
he could be given It would please him
to receive a check in reimbursement
of his expenditures. The judge was
allowed to decide as to the course he
would pursue.
Judge Harmon confirmed the report
that he was to ride a horse at the
head of his staff in the inaugural
parade. "Why should | not do so?"
he declared. "My staff will be or
horses and it seems to me that |
should do as they do" In past years
the judge was an expert hOrseman
and much devoted to the exercise of
riding. The press of business mat
ters has prevented him from engag-
ing in what, to him, is a pleasure, for
some time, but he expects, during his
term as governor, to ride much. His
friends say there is no more capable
manager of horse in Cincinnati.
But little time has as yet been
given to the preparation of his In
augural address, although in a gen.
eral way the subjects to receive at
tention have been gone over in his
mind and outlined. He will advocate
such reforms as were urged by him
during his campaign, and declare for
an economical and business like ad-
ministration of affairs in every de-
partment of the state government.
Lax and loose methods are to be
stopped and every official held
strictly accountable for a careful per-
formance of his duties.
A friend of Mr.. Harmon's said to-
day: 'He will do exactly as he said.
If any intimation comes to him that
the affairs of any office demand at
tention, he will walk in, demand a
look at the books, and go over them.
He is a business man and will con-
duct affairs along business lines"
The incoming governor is giving
much thought to the matter of ap-
pointments in order that he may Sc
lect men for the different places who
are, in his opinion, capable of doing
what will be asked of them in the
no nf nf oil 10 i-
moving slowly, that no mistakes may
be made. Thus far he has an
nounced only his adjutant general
and official staff No intimation of
when the others will be given out has
yet come from him. 1t is not prob
able, however, that any decision will
be reached until after he visits Col
umbus again. Some of them may be
announced at that time.
The statement by Governor Harris
that he has definitely decided to send
in the names of his recess appoint
ments to the senate and ask for their
confirmation failed to provoke any
statement from Judge Harmon. He
absolutely refuses to discuss the mat
ter. But, among politicians here the
belief is general that the senate will
refuse to confirm them. 1t is known
that Republican politicians in Gin
cinnati are working with the Hamil-
ton county members of their party
elected to the senate in An effort to
prevent them from doing what is
looked upon as an unwise political
move. From a Democratic stand
point the situation is viewed with no
alarm. If they are confirmed, Demo
cratic leaders say 1t will react to the
benefit of their party, and if not it
will give to Governor Harmon a num-
ber of places to fill. 1--WE are to get
the better of it in any event. Then
why should we worry?" is the philo-
sophical way they look at it.
CARROLLToN.