The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-09-08
GOVERNOR FAILS TO PERFORM
DUTIES REQUIRED BY LAW

Specsic charge is made in the Ohio Democratic plat
form that conditions in the state house revealed by nves-
tgating committees of the legislature were KNOWN TO
THE GOVERNOR, but not acted upon by him,
though the law adequately empowered him to act
PROOF OF THIS DECLARATION is TO BE FOUND TWO
SPECIAL MESSAGES TO The LEesLATuRE BY GOVERNOR
HARRIS.
In his special message March 9, 1908, the governor
sad 81 today in receipt of letter from the auditor
of state asking that his Office and that of the bureau of
inspection and supervision of public offices, which is
department of said Office BE EXAMINED BY THE
GOVERNOR UNDER THE AUTHORITY CONFER
RED BY SECTION 1853 OF THE REVISED STAT
UTES."
Here Governor Harris not only confesses knowledge
of his duty, but admits that this duty pointed out to
him by State Auditor Guibert who wincing under
the probing of the legislative committees.
In the second special message March 81, citing his
former message, the governor says: "THlS PROPOSED
INVESTIGATION WAS TO BE CONDUCTED UN-
DER EXISTING STATUTES OF THE STATE"
Section 158 of the Ohio Statutes says: "He (audor
of stae) shall keep all the records, books accounts,
documents and other papers and vouchers pertaining to
his Office, in complete order, well marked, labeled num-
bered and carefully filed in his.oce; and the shall
be at all times SUBJECT TO THE INSPECTION OF
THE GOVERNOR, any committee of the general as
semby of either branch thereof appointed to examine
the same.''
Attention is called by the senates investigating
mittee in its report to the fact that the governor has
never ordered investigation of the state treasury as
authorized by Section 1913 of the Revised Statutes.
Section 1913, relating to the duties of the governor
in this respect provides that and the governor when
the law or in his opinion, the public interest,
qures it, shall appoint trustworthy accountant of
ability and SKILL who in connection with the secretary of
state, shall Immediately, without previous notice init
nation of such intended examination and Inspections make
thorough and complete examination of all the books,
vouchers accounts, records bonds securities claims,
sets and effects which should be in the treasury,
and compare the books vouchers and records
in the treasury with those of the auditor of state which,
their demand shall be made accessible to them by these
ocers' ETC., etc. This section also provides that
the treasurer and any Of his clerks the auditor any
other person may be sworn and examined
HERE WE HAVE ADM ssoNs BY GOVERNOR HARRIS OF
HIS RnowLEoe OF STAT uTEs THAT SPECIFY DUTIES
WHICH HE HAS FAILED TO PERFORM
When the egslature's committees were examining
the treasury Treasurer McKinnon and his deputy, Mr.
Green, candidate for treasurer gave such answers
as "NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS" to the committees
questions
When he felt so disposed, State Auditor Guilbert
REFUSED TO ANSWER QUESTIONS asked him by
the legislatures committee.
No wonder Governor Harris is striving to dodge the
real issue in this campaign "honesty and economy in
public service" as set forth in his own platform
No wonder Governor Harris wants to talk about
Temperance about LAWS ALREADY ENACTED,
instead of about DUTIES HI FAILED TO PERFORM
THE ELECTION HARMON FOR GOVERNOR
OF OHIO WILL MEAN A PRO MPT AND FEARLESS NvEsTeA
TIoN OF THE OFFICES STATE HOUSE, WHICH
THE BUSINESS TRANSACTED is THE PEOPLES BUSINESS.