The Irish standard., 1912-04-27
FAIR PLAY FOR EBERHART.
Brief Summary Of His Administration
Of Business Affairs in
This State.

Governor EOeTndTt, Oy virtue VI Ills
election in November, 1910, assumed
full responsibility for the administra-
ton of the several state departments
on the first of January, 1911, when he
appointed new heads for those de-
partments, and outlined new policies,
says correspondent Of the Irish
Standard, who asks for careful con-
sideration and fair play. The writer
further continues:
BY virtue Of the same election, he
was authorized to make recommends,
lions to the state legislature as to the
enactment of measures which he be-
lieved to be for the best interests Of
the state as a whole, and to use what
ever influence he thought proper to
secure such enactment.
The first year of Governor Eber-
harris responsibility has, therefore,
but recently ended, and it is no more
than fair that he be judged by the
actual facts rather than by vague as
sertions that he has failed to make
good as an administrator, or by in
situations that he has been controlled
by improper influence of some sort or
other. The only fair test to apply is
that of actual results. Take the rec
rectly under executive control, for If
there were lack of business admins
tration or proof of improper influence,
it could easily be detected in the en-
forcement of state laws or in the ex-
penditure of state moneys.
Will any critic of the present ad-
ministration, whether he be actuated
by disinterested or by selfish motives,
assume to prove:
That the office of public examiner,
having the closest possible relation
to the business methods of state,
county and city, and acting as q check
on such methods. has not been capa-
bly, and honestly administered?
That the Office Of examiner Of
banks, created to safeguard the Pc
cuniary interests Of stockholders, de-
positors and creditors generally of
the state banks, has not been conduct
ed without fear or favor, and to good
effect, as witness convictions during
the past year for violations Of the
banking law?
That the office of commissioner of
insurance, having a vital connection
with the business lift Of the commun-
ity and in a position to do great serv-
ice to the insuring and investing pub
lie, has fallen short in any particular
affecting the integrity Of the fair
ness of it's policy of administration?
That the office Of commissioner of
labor, dealing with the delicate rela-
tons between capital and labor, and
of both to the community as whole,
has not been devoted to the best in
terests of all concerned?
That the office of dairy and food
commissioner, having to do with the
protection of the life and health Of
the people as we'll as with the de-
velopment of the material resources
of the state, has been governed by any
but the highest motives?
Let the same test be applied to the
other departments having to do with
the enforcement OF the laws OF the
state-to the Office Of fire marshal,
with q record of achievement never
before approached since the depart
ment was created; to the office of
game and fish commissioner, which
has been feerless and impartial in
protecting the rights Of honest sports
men as against the poacher and the
huckster; to the office of forestry
commissioner and Of highway commits
sioner. both conducted solely with a
view to securing the best results to
everyone directly concerned; to the
Office of immigration commissioner,
which, though not wholly responsible
to the governor, is kept in close touch
with him and heartily encouraged in
carrying out plans for the advance
ment Of the best interests of the
state.
In all Of these departments, as we'll
as on the various boards of which the
governor is Notwithstanding the
board of University Regents, Timber
Board, Investment Board. Drainage
Board, Pardon Board-the influence of
Governor Eberhart has been exerted
toward securing harmonious and ef-
fective action, and he has attended
these board meetings regularly to a
greater extent, according to the rec
ords, than have his predecessors for
years.
In short, Governor Eberhart's ad-
ministrative policy has been along