The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-08-19
Editorial Comment
on Current Subjects
REPUBLICAN, MONEY IN STATE
AFFAIRS.

From the Wheeling Intelligencer.
One Of the most substantial achiev-
ments of the Republican party in this
State was the creation of the State
Board Of Control, a fit companion piece
Of legislation to that other accom-.
plishment the Workmen's Compensa.
ton Act. The Democrats in their ir.
relative criticisms Of the State admin.
istration that succeeded to their mega.
tive party's action are careful to avoid
any reference to either OF these two
departments Of Republican origin, for
the good reason that they are unas.
sailable. A party is judged by its
work, not by its capacity for complain.
ing. The invective is easy, but per.
Torrance is something that begets
confidence and inspires hope for the
future. Doing things is the promise Of
the fulfillment Of other pledges, and
that is why the Republican party
commands the continued approval OF
the appreciatiye electorate Of West
| Virginia.
For over seven years the Board Of
Control has been administering the
appropriations for the various state In.
situations, taking the place Of the va.
rious boards which governed them
separately. In that time 1t has han.
died more than half of the disburse.
ments for the expense Of the state gov.
eminent with every penny accounted
for and without so much as q dollar
niisapplied or improperly diverted to
the pocket Of any official or employe.
In these days Of carelessness and in.
efficiency In official stewardship this
record stands out with particular sig.
%ni:lcance Of the faithful performance
OF the Boards duties. And in this con.
nection the Intelligencer challenges
comparison with any State in the
Union for a similar record for probity
and honesty in the disbursement OF
the public funds.
The %creditable showing Is due In q
large measure to that capable business
maj: and conscientious director Of the
affairs of the Board Of Control, its
chairman Hon. James S. Lakin. The
economical administration Of the hu.
manttarian institutions is especially
noteworthy compared with the old or.
der. In no case has there been any
charge OF a contract wrongfully award
ed, or Of exceeding the exact needs
and purposes for which It was invited.
The economy Of administration has
been evolved, through a system of
strict accountability enforced upon
the subordinate state employees with a
careful attention on the part Of the
Board to the small details that former.
~ were left to the Indifferent under
officials. In this respect alone the
Board has been a priceless boon to
the taxpayers in its saving qualities
and the intelligent conservation OF the
appropriations.
1t has been owing to the honest and
attentive supervision OF the great char
tiles Of the state, constituting the
three hospitals where unfortunate hui.
mainly is cared for, that the yearly
per capita cost of inmates has not ex.
ceeded S122 to $3.50. This has been
accomplished without denying them
In any particular Of n%ourishing, whole.
some food of abating any of the crea-
ture comforts they are entitled to. This
Is in remarkable contrast to the per
capita cost Of similar institutions in
other States. 1t rises to $40 to $3.50
In Pennsylvania and New York, and is
marked by corresponding increases in
Ohio. Maryland and other common.
wealths. This economical showing is
supplemented by the low per capita
cost of he entire administration Of
the government In West Virginia un.
der the present rule. which amounts
to but $2.48, while the cost Of the
National Democratic government in
Its extravaganza and incapacity Is fig
ured to amount to S11 per capita, over
four times greater.
With the Democratic speakers in
the coming campaign, OF the partisan
press assail these Republican achiey.
ments, Or the honest administration OF
important trusts? They will not, be.
cause they are unassailable. They are
impregnable facts, supporting and
butteriug Republican management Of
tho peoples affairs and the taxpay.
ers' money against the desperate de.
tamation and 'yttuperation which the