The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1910-10-20
HARMON INJECTS
POLITICS INTO THE
BANK DEPARTM MENT
Our "HOIIGr Than Thou" Governor
Places Party Above People.

Governor Harmon is not the non
partisan independent citizen he 10
trying to make the unwary believe.
In fact, he is the most partisan,
selfish politician who has occupied
the stdtehouse in recent years.
Every move he makes is consid-
cred wholly from a partisan or per-
sonal standpoint. He started in as a
real governor and has degenerated
into a politician Of the smallest type
He has even used the state bank
department to further his political
ends.
B. B. Seymour was appointed bank
examiner for a period of four years.
The term was fixed at four years so
that there could be no political ma
nlpulation of the department
But Governor Harmon injected pol
itics into the bank department as he
has In every other state department.
Mr.. Seymour's resignation was
forced and Democrat was named
for the place. Now the banking de-
partment is a field for political ex-
Eloitation.
The Republican party may justly
claim credit, in fact all the credit
for the enactment into aw Of the
present banking act, which is prov
ing one of the most beneficial pieces
Of legislation upon the statute books
today.
The desirablity of such legislation
had been suggested at various times.
but it remained for Governor Her
rick, IN his inaugural address January
10TH 1904, by his urgent recommends
tion for the enactment if a bank eX.
animation and INSPECTION law, to give
the proposal the impetus which re-
suited in the enactment if the pres
ent law.
TO Francis w Treadway the pres
ent lieutenant goveI nor Of Ohio, must
be given the credit for introducing
the bill at that session providing for
the creation Of banking department
and periodical examination Of all state
banks, which bill. though defeated,
paved the way for the future legis-
lation. 1t Is notorious that nearly
every Democratic member Of the
house of representatives at that time
voted against the enactment OF such
bill, the opposition being led by
the then Democratic floor leader.
In the interval prior to the session
of 1906 various organizations through
out the state enrolled themselves III
the movement, so that upon the meet
ing of the legislature there was, for
the first time. an organized effort put
forth for the enactment of such legis-
lation. A bill was introduced by Hon
Warren Thomas in the Republican
house of representatives, which sub
sequently passed the house and was
defeated in the Democratic senate
through the refusal of the senate to
consider the bill in the last days Of
the session. the opposition to con-
sideration being LED by Senator
Schmidt, who was supported by q
practically solid Democratic vote.
At the following session the bill,
with slight notifications, was again
introduced by Mr.. Thomas and passed
by the house Of representatives and
was enacted into law, the Democratic
opposition to same having been 81
fenced with what had now become a
very strong political influence, which
was eXerted in favor of the bill. Mr.
Treadway appeared many times IN
Columbus before committees of both
houses urging the passage of the
Thomas bill, and was recognized more
than any other man III Ohio as hav-
ing been chiefly influential in secur-
ing its passage.
The banking department was Great
ed by the appointment OF B. B. Sey-
mour as superintendent by Governor
Harris in June, 1905, although, be-
cause of insufficient appropriation for
the purpose, regular examinations OF
state banks were not begun until the
following year. The operation OF the
act has been such as to inspire the
well-deserved confidence of the people
of the state of Ohio in its banking
institutions. Semi-annual inspections
of every bank in the state are required
and disastrous bank failures under
the proper conduct of the banking de-
partment will be averted for the fu'
ture.