The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1910-09-27

control of its organization. For these,
like all other good citizens, wish to
be served only by men who will take
all means in their power to discover
everything that ought to be known
about the business of the state and
will not wink at a public wrong, from
any motive whatsoever, no matter
who commits it.
No Sinking of Duty.
Wasteful, careless and sometimes
crooked practices were found to pre-
vail in some departments and insti-
tutions. This was not true of them
all, but the infection spreads fast If
not checked. In every case which
came under the authority of the gov
ernor these have been corrected, so
far as discovered, honest and busi-
ness-like methods established and
these entrusted to faithful and COM
petent hands.
It has been difficult to secure evil
dence to sustain criminal proceed
ings in some cases where there was
moral certainty of guilt. The facts
have been brought to the notice of
the department of justice, and this
course will be followed right along.
Time forbids a recital of instances,
but they have been widely published
and are generally known. 1t IS suffi-
cient to say that there has been no
halting, shirking or shielding by the
Executive in the work of reform and
| hnN pI nrnpnaHs
as rapidly as conditions permit.
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 it's being the very first of the
many filled for me by my predeces-
sor at the extra session he called for
the purpose just one week before my
term began. Until the appointment
of the new chief engineer, recently, l
had no adequate means of getting at
| the true inwardness of things in that
department 1t is already apparent
that wastefulness, nepotism and po-
litical jobbery prevail, If nothing
worse.
There seems to be distress in some
quarters because it is thought that
the fuse of these particular exposures
was purposely cut long, as it We're
This Is not true and could not be, for
the reason Just stated. But if 1t were
true, 1t would carry wholesome les
son: Never keep explosives copcealed
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. | should have
been glad tc 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.
1t takes time and close attention to
introduce needed reforms every
where, but it can be truly said that
the various departments and institn-
lions of the state which the governor
controls are much better managed
than before, and more economically
mainta'ned. 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
sentiment in my inaugural address
"The people are determined that
their benevolent institutions, espe
cially, shall be conducted on the
highest plane in every respect. BY
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 a Christian state maintains fol
charity are sacred, and every selfish
! purpose should perish at their doors
ne btHtIdl tAobtllDly Wdo III pto
sion for 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 lacl
of hearty cooperation with the Execu
tive, | said this in the same address
"These are some OF the ideas which
appeal to me as l enter upon the
work to which my fellow citizens
have called me. can do but little
without their steadfast confidence an(
support, Even with this aid the pow
ers OF the chief executive alone will
not suffice. These are limited ant
controlled by law, as they should be
The hearty cooperation of my asso
ciates in the government Is neces
sary. But while most of these are
not party comrades, whose suppor
: could be expected in political affairs
attribute to them the same wish
have myself for the best government