The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1911-11-03
RECORD MADE
IS ADMIRABLE
Present Republican Admins
tration Has Reformed the
Government
REVIEW OF THE DEPARTMENTS
Numerous Reforms and improvements
Instituted by Wilson Administra-
tion--summsry Of Accomplish
nents by Each Department at
Frankfort.

ments by Each Department at
Frankfort.
Whether the next administration in
Kentucky is Republican or Democratic,
it is certain that the affairs of the
state government in all its administra-
tive branches now controlled by the
Republicans will be found in the most
business-like and economically admin
istered condition in the history of the
commonwealth.
Gov. Wilson and his associate Office
holders found the various state depart
ments in thoroughly rundown and
unsystematized shape. Appointments
for the preceding administration had
been for political reasons exclusively
without regard to efficiency. On the
other hand, appointments in the main
under the present Republican admin
istration have been for efficiency and
this has been received to the benefit
Of the public service.
A brief summary of some of the re-
forms and improvements Instituted by
this administration is given below to
indicate to the people of Kentucky that
an entirely new regime and wholly
unprecedented spirit of office-holding
have characterized the last four years
at Frankfort, in the executive and adj
ministrative departments.
The Governor.
Only few OF the principal acts of
Gov. Wilson for the welfare of Ken
lucky can be enumerated here, but at
tention is called to the following: He
appointed school commission, non
partisan in personnel, which after two
years of earnest work, presented what
was acknowledged to be an ideal
school law, but the bill was defeated
by the Democratic legislature. He
also appointed tax commission, com
posed of the states best thinkers on
this subject, from both parties, but
their efforts admittedly valuable, also
were ignored by the Democratic legis-
lature. He also appointed redistrict-
ing commission, likewise composed of
the leading men of both parties, which
rendered a fair report to the legisla-
ture for righting the most fragrant
wrong any state ever suffered but its
work, too, was not given a respectful
hearing by the legislature. He urged
a law to place the penal institutions
under a non partisan board, like the
asylums. but the Democratic legisla-
ture not only failed to do this but
actually threatened to replace the asy-
lums under partisan management as a
part of the spells system. Gov. Will
son has had to work with an adverse
legislature, as it has been controlld
throughout his administration by the
Democrats, who INSTRUCTED his efforts
for reform at every step and sought to
embarrass him financially by making
extravagant and unequaled appropria-
lions. 1t is evident that on the three
most vital reforms the staJe needs
education, tax revision and redistrict
ing-Gov. Wilson did as much as any
governor could do. but his efforts were
baked by partisan legislature domi
mated by corrupt lobby.
On the question of state finances
the people of Kentucky have been sub
jected to a world o. misrepresenta-
tion by The Democratic politicians.
The simple truth, as Gov. Wilson set
forth in message to the general as
sembly, is that when the Beckham ad-
ministration retired on January 6,
1908, there was an apparent cash bal
ance in the treasury of $1.1S0. 055.72.
But the Democratic speakers fail to
call attention to the proven fact that
on the very same day the state OF
Kentucky owed in outstanding unpaid
warrants, in claims for materials fur
nished and services performed and for
specific appropriations. Made under
the Beckham administration, the sum
of $1.339,2S4. Or, instead OF leaving a
million-dollar surplus, as has been al
legged. the Beckham administration
really left, after all the debts OF that
administration had been paid by Gov.
Wilson's administration, deficit OF
$159.228.2S The reason Kentucky has
not a surplus in the treasury to-day
is that the general assembly has al
ways appropriated larger sums than
the revenues of the state could meet
( The Attorney General.
The expense of this department
for the years 1906-07. the last two
years under Gov. Beckham. was $751;
Sz3.99; for the years 1908 and 1909,
the first two years under Atty. Gen.
James Breathitt. II was s35.554.59, or
q saving OF sl7 .2s9.4O. In other words,
two years Of the Beckham administra-
tion cost as much as three years Of the
Wilson administration. This depart
ment has kept up its business in the
court Of appeals in way so prompt
and business-like as TO win the com
mendation OF the entire bar OF Ken
lucky. No cases are Submitted with
out briefs, all cases are ready when
called. and finished unless postponed
on motion Of the opposition. Crimi- !
mails obtain speedy hearing in the
court of appeals under the present |
mana cement, and there is no delay on |
the states part. Litigants in suits TO |
l. -.