The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1910-09-24
Canal Exposures.

Canal Exposures.
The department Of Public Works is
| the last TO receive attention. The
Governor has the appointment there
of only the chief engineer. The great
Importance of this position Is shown
by its being the very first Of the
many filled for me by my predeces.
sor ut the extra session he called for
the purpose Just one week before my
term began. Until the appointment
of the new chief engineer, recently, I
had no adequate means OF getting at
the true inwardness of things in that
department. 1t Is already apparent
that wasteiulness. nepotism and po-
litical jobbery prevail, if nothing
worse.
There seems to be distress in some
quarters because IL is thought that
the fuse of these particular exposures
was purposely cut long, as 1t were.
This is not true and could not be, for
the reason just stated. But If it were
true, 1t would carry a wholesome les
son: Never keep explosives concealed
on the premises when dangerous per-
sons are known TO be prowling about.
Either be careful to have none, or ex-
plode them yourselves.
1t is not pleasant to expose or
punish public officials. Innocent fam
lilies are made to suffer and shame Is
cast on the State. I should have
been glad to find rumor and suspi-
cion always unfounded and one who,
for personal or partisan ends, would
make or act upon groundless charges,
Is not fit to be Governor or recognized
as a citizen of Ohio. But personal in
clination must ever give way to pub.
lie duty and the hidden sore be cured
by the open and faithful wound.
Management OF Institutions.
II takes time and close attention to
Introduce needed reforms every
where, but it can be truly said that
the various departments and institu-
tions of the state which the governor
controls are much better managed
than before, and more economically
malnta'red. The general tone of the
service in them has geen greatly i'm.
proved, And no pains have been
spared 10 give practical effect to this
sentimrnt in my inaugural address:
"Thc people are determined that
their benevolent institutions, espe-
cially, shall be conducted on the
highest plane in every respect. BY
these they practice the philanthropy
In which the Master set the great
example. The civilization which
grew from His teachings has rescued
the afflicted from neglect, derision
and persecution. The establishments
which Christian state maintains for
charity are sacred. and every selfish
purpose should perish at their doors"
The General Assembly was m SEES
sion for "a time before my term be-
gan, under call by my predecessor.
Warned by the attitude of the major
lty therein that the interests of the
people were likely to suffer from lack
of hearty cooperation with the Execu-
tive, ] said this in the same address,
THESE are some of the ideas which
appeal to me as | enter upon the
work to which my fellow citizens
have called me. can do but little
without their steadfast confidence and
support. Even with this aid the pow
ers of the chief executive alone will
not suffice These are limited and
controlled by law as they should be.
The hearty cooperation of my asso-
clates in the government Is neoes-
sary But while most OF these are
not party comrades, whose support
could be expected In political affairs,
| attribute to them the same wish
have myself for the best government
we are able to supply, and the same
that | have to help them in theirs.
J can not discredit them, IL would,
nor they me, but we can help each
other to gain the approval of the
millions who must all share whatever
OF benefit or harm the administration
they have entrusted to us shall bring
forth"
Attitude of Legislature.
] regret to say that this warning
and appeal found little response. Ex-
ecutiye requests and recommends
lions received scant courtesy, or
none at ALL and the Governors desire
that a thing be done seemed gener-
ally a sufficient reason for not do
ing IT,
THIS haunnllf condition nsysistsd