davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-02-08
State Purchases at Retail.

Here are some proposed laws for the
adoption of which Auditor Donahey
has contended and which his re-elec-
ton win render certain of enactment
First, and most important. he is fight
ing for a law creating a state purchas-
ing department The state is spending
millions yearly for supplies and paying
retail prices for same, when all should
be purchased by regular purchasing
department at wholesale prices under
competitive bidding. The establish
ment of such a purchasing department
would save the state thirty or forty
thousand dollars yearly Auditor Don
ahey prepared a bill providing for this
reform and had it introduced at the
recent session Of the general assembly,
but it was smothered 1t will be pass
ed at the coming session or the auditor
will appeal the matter to the people by
means of the initiative and referendum
provisions of the constitution
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-02-08
Five Million Dollars Annually
For Unfortunates.

Previous to 1913 the taxpayers Of
Ohio no doubt imagine that the auditor
Of states examiners were making ex-
aminations of the states benevolent,
correctional and penal institutions. No
such examinations were ever made pre-
vious to the term of the present audi
tor of state The law commands the
governor and auditor to see that this
be done. 1t was not done. The people
Of Ohio have right to know whether
their insane hospitals, boys and girls
Industrial schools, blind, deaf and fee
BILE minded institutions and reformato-
ries are being conducted as they should
be by those in charge. The Board of
Administration has charge Of all these
institutions. AT the request of this
board, the auditor of state secured ap-
preparations for an examiner and as
sistant examiner to examine all these
institutions. The present Republican
legislature made appropriations for
these new employees. The finance COM
mittees recognized the wisdom of max
ing these examinations. All these in
bLltutiOh5 arc hOW
examination. the first in their history.
Has this additional expense been justi-
fed by results? Not speaking OF other
benefits, has 1t paid in dollars and
cents? One state institution not under
the control of the Board of Administra-
ton was given "A thorough examination
and a modern system of accounting
provided by one of the auditors exam
iner's. The year previous to this ex-
animation the institution cost the state
$240.60aO3. The year following the
examination the cost to the state of
this same institution was $194,2 9S.
Did this saving in one year of 500, ,495. .O5
in single institution justify the slight
increase in the cost of operating the
auditor of states Office? Think it over.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-02-08
New Card Index System Pre-
vents Implications.

In former years no individual salary
OF wage accounts were kept in the
auditor of states office. 1t was prac-
tically impossible to furnish definite
information on the states payroll, and
It was difficult to prevent duplicate
payments. The present auditor of state
hNs installed card index system GOV
ering the entire payroll of the state.
which aggregates over FIVE million dol
lars annually. There is a card for ev-
cry employe of the state. some eight
thousand in number. These are ar
ranged alphabetically for all depart
ments and institutions and all pay
ments of salaries and wages are re-
corded on the proper cards. 1t is now
possible to promptly furnish informa-
tion as to the payroll of any depart
ment or the pay of any emplOye, and
duplicate payments are now impossi'
bic. This new system required two
new CLERKS. and there are no clerks IL
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-02-08
AN APPRECIATION
OF Rev. Freeman Received
From His Former Church

Rev. NJ. s. Freeman will begin his
pastorate in the Congregational
church on Sunday morning. His wife
and daughter will reach Mt. Vernon
some time during the coming week,
and the family will then take up it's
residence in the parsonage at 610
East High street.
The following letter OF appreeia-
tion, received by Howard Tarr. clerk
Of the Congregational church, from
Rev. Freemans former church at
Madison, shows the esteem in which
he was held there:
Rev. M. S. Freeman--An Appreciation
On February / Mr.. Freeman closes
a nine-year record of splendid service
as pastor of the Central Congrega-
tional church of Madison, o.
1t is with the deepest regret that
his resignation is accepted
lie and his family have endeared
themselves to the people of the en-
tire community, so that their going is
a separation of friends tried and true
Mrs. Freeman will be especially
missed in the Woman's association,
where she has been an able leader,
and in her Sunday school class Of
young women where she has given
faithful and loyal service.
During his pastorate Mr.. Freeman
has taken into the church ITO mem
bers, Of whom rs are men. This fact
shows the virile quality OF his preach
ing and it's strong appeal to manhood.
So earnestly and convincingly has he
expounded Gods Word, so plain has
he made the way, that the message
has reached the hearts of many and
has helped them to catch the broad
vision of life of consecrated service.
Mr.. Freeman has always interested
himself in all the departments of our
Congregational work. He has been a
| member of the national council, has
served efficiently on the several COM
mittees of the state conference, has
been allied with the Mems Forward
Movement for Missions, and the
Young Mems Christian Association,
has been a leader in the Sunday
school, an earnest advocate of tenn
perance, peace and all that pertains
to civic welfare.
Because of this, he brings to his
work rare equipment Of pulpit ahil-
ity together with broad intelligence,
scholarly attainments, and strong
and winning Christian character.
Reluctantly, but with hearts CRATE
full for the years of Christian fellow
ship, the Madison church says fare
well, and bids him Godspeed as he en-
ters this open door of larger service.
To the church at Mt. Vernon we en-
tend our sincere congratulations.
FRANCIS ENSIGN FULLER.
HELEN KIMBALL SMEAD.
]. V. WINANS,
COMMITTEES,
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-02-08
Elimination Is Better Than Gen.
tralization or Decentralization.

Auditor Donahey is advocating the
enactment of a law that will prevent
any department of government from
employing bookkeepers and auditors OF
appropriation accounts without first Sc
curing the approval of the auditor of
state that such appointments are neces-
sGty. This will not give the auditor
any voice In the selection of the EN-
ployes. He is not seeking any control
of patronage. All he desires to do is
to dispense with needless employees.
He should be given authority to pre-
scribe the form and manner of keeping
departmental accounts. The evil he
seeks to eradicate is the needless du-
plicatiOn of work already performed in
the auditor of states department. The
enactment of the proposed law will re-
move at least 200 from the state pay
roll and save quarter of million
dollars yearly. The present auditor
OF state prepared bill making these
0liminations possible, and 1t was intro
duced In the present general assembly
Had it been bill to provide new jobs
1t would have passed. Capitalization
and decentralization in practice mean
substituting man of your own party
In the place of one Of the opposite par
ty; neither erer means to aooItsh the JOB.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-02-08
A Non Partisan Bureau of Ac-
counting.

The Bureau of Inspection and Super
vision of Public Offices, which is un-
der the control of the auditor of state,
is being conducted in an absolutely
nOn-partisan manner. The auditor of
state has treated all public officials, re-
gardless of party, in a perfectly fair
and impartial manner and has never
altered or suppressed the report of a
single examiner. The statute makes
the bureau of accounting non-partisan,
and under Auditor Donahey the en-
ployes are more equally divided in
politics than they have ever been in It's
history. When the present auditor
took charge of the bureau, examiners
of counties, cities and other political
subdivisions were nearly one year be-
hind with their work. These examina-
tions are now practically completed TO
date.
Previously the findings for recovery,
after being reported, were given little
further attention. When Auditor
Donahey took charge, the records dis.
closed that nearly three and one half
million dollars had been improperly
and unlawfully expended by city, coun-
ty, township and school officials Only
a small per cent. of these findings had
been collected. The present auditor
believes if these findings are not to be
followed up and collections made, the
law should be repealed In order to
assist the attorney general in making
these collections, the auditor added one
extra employe at $4,000 per year to
his regular force. This change has
proved beneficial, for the collections
since of over $4OOO00O0 are greater
than all previous collections combined
since the organization of the bureau in
1902. Was the departmental co-opera-
tion and the employment of this new
man profitable to the taxpayers of
Ohio?
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-02-08

lister all school and ministerial lands
in Ohio ~" has already secured the
passage Of 70 law reserying to the state
all coal, oil. gas nnd other minerals m
der such lands. and thereby in few
mouths has secured an income OF $50
10000 per year for the use OF Ohio
schools Legislation is now needed 10
properly control the leasing and collec-
ton of rentals of the surface and the
sale of such lands when to the finan.
cial advantage OF the schools. The
auditor has had examinations made In
~ counties with the following results:
These counties contain 90 tracts com.
prising 5.29S acres with a market
value of over $250,O00.O0 The schools
are entitled to six per cent. OH this
property, but are receiving an average
of less than two per cent d7 per
cent?, and there are delinquent rents
due and unpaid Of S10.439.00 All that
is necessary is to apply old fashioned
horse sense in legislation on the sub
iect.
A bill drafted by the auditor and
introduced in the present legislature
never got nearer enactment than a
convenient plgeon-hole.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-02-08
How Much Have All These I'm.
proVenent3 Cost the Slater

Every one knows that the issuance
OF $4,000 additional warrants yearly.
the proper auditing OF III vouchers. the
card indexing Of every payment to the
eight thousand state employees. the
leasing Of school lands and collection
OF rentals. the examination for tho first
time Of all benevolent. correctional
and penal institutions. the collection of
outstanding claims, and the many 9th
er reforms introduced In the auditor IF
states office 10y the present incumbent
mean vast increase In the work Of
the AUDITORS department. How much
has all this additional labor cost? The
cost of operating the auditor Of states
department the last full year under
Auditor Fulington was S47.I?f14. The
total cost last year under Auditor Don.
ahey was Sj7 .791.4S What have the
taxpayers to show for this increase ?
Illegal and extravagant claims against
TIC state aggregating S70.00OO0 were
refused payment One million FIVE hun.
dred thousand dollars Of state revenues
never before turned into the state
treasury are now being paid In annu.
ally and are earning interest for the
state. StT 0S0.32 has been already col.
lected from coal and oil companies on.
Grating on school lands that never be.
fore paid one cent into the state treas.
ury, the yearly running expenses of
one institution were cut $IG19lO5 aHh
great reductions effected i'm many 9th
ers as a result of examinations. S4O.-
10000 OF old claims have been collect
ed, the creation of unauthorized def.
ciencies has been almost eliminated
ana thousands Of dollars thus saved
to the state. eXtraVagant living by
travelling state employees has been stop
ped, ana many other economics intro.
duced. and best of all. the states
finances are now being managed and
controlled in a systematic and busi-
nesslike manner ana on January 10,
1916, the cash balance in the state
treasury was nine and one-half million
dollars.
All these additional expenditures by
Auditor Donahey have been for labor
performed. He has cut expenditures
wherever possible. Auditor Fuling-
tons postage expense in 1912, the last
yea of his administration. was ST.
423.1O. Auditor Donahey's postage eX-
pense for the first two years combined
was only $l.3S2.5O The travelling ex-
penses of the employees in the auditor
of states office have been greatly re-
duced by Auditor Donahey. For the
first three years under Auditor Fulling-
ton his departmental travelling expense
was S7594.1S. For the first three years
under Auditor Donahey the total trav-
cling expense of his department was
only S1,770.S6. Auditor Fullington's
personal travelling expenses paid by
the state for the first three years of his
term We're $951.05. Auditor Donahey's
personal travelling expenses for the
first three years of his term were
$5506.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-02-08
Property Exempt From Taxation.

How many millions of dollars has the
state invested In lands, institutions,
public buildings and equipment? What
Is the amount of public property in
counties and cities? What Is the value
of all public school buildings and
grounds? How much is invested in
colleges supported by the state? All
this property is exempt from taxation.
1t is just and right that 1t should be
exempt, but the public has a right to
know how much these exemptions
amount to in each county, and a safe
business policy demands tina. the state
and all political subdivisions know how
much public property they possess.
Auditor Donahey is contending for a
law that will authorize the auditor of
state TO compile an inventory of all
real and personal property exempt
from taxation. The cost will be insig.
nificant, as the plan proposed would
compel boards and officers controlling
public property to report under oath
to the auditor annually, in such form
as he may require, the value of all
such property. Ohio taxpayers have
no conception of the vast amounts of
such property now exempt from taxa.
ton in the state. The present auditor
submitted such a bill to the general
assembly, but It failed of passage by a
few votes.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-02-08
Formerly Bureau Examiners
Ware Not Under Bond.

The present auditor of state was sur.
prised to find that examiners in the
bureau. who made examinations of
county and city offices, and by virtue
of their position had access to the of.
fees of county and city treasurers,
were not under bond. Men in such re.
sponsible positions should give bond if
bonds are to be required of county and
city treasurers This is now done and
all examiners and assistants in the
Bureau of Accounting are now re-
quired to give bond before assuming
the duties of their positions. Another
reform inaugurated was in requiring
these examiners to make daily reports
These daily report cards Of the ffty
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-02-08
Problems Of the Future.

While much has been accomplished
In placing Ohio's fiscal affairs ob a
business basis. there still remain many
important, unsoved problems affecting
the financial operations Of OhiO's state
government that demand thoughtful
attention and proper solution. II has
been no easy task to secure the re-
forms already enacted into law or the
changes in methods of collecting and
disbursing public revenues. Auditor
Donahey has had to meet and over
come the opposition of professional
politicians of both parties and while
selfish interests have prevented the
enactment of many needed fiscal laws.
If 1t had not been for fear of public
sentiment back home. they would have
been able to induce both the present
legislature ana its predecessor to de-
feat every reform suggested and every
bin presented When Auditor Dona-
hey was holding up eXtravagant bills
under the Democratic administration,
the Democratic politicians called him
party wrecjer, but Republican poll
ticians and newspapers denominated
him Honest Vic Donahey." Now
when he has recently been compelled
to seize n few eXtravagant Repub-
leans by the slack OF the pants and
the scruff of the neck and throw them
out of the state treasury, few parti-
sam Republican papers yell Politics.
the auditor of state is four-nushing.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-02-08
, Plenty Of Work For Real
Auditor.

These are only a few of the many
tasks which Auditor Donahey hopes to
accomplish He is going to keep up
the fight for a plain, business admin.
istration of the fiscal affairs of the
state. and if he is reelected, the citi-
zens of Ohio may rest assured that
whether Democrats or Republicans
make the laws and hold the Offices,
nobody is going to Illegally pry the lid
Off the state treasury with an official
crOwbar while Vic Donahey is on
guard.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-02-08
+ !. = !. :. :. = !, !. !. X i. !.
DEATHS +

Mrs. Amy Spry


Mrs. Amy Spry died Friday night at
o'clock at the state hospital, Co
lumbus, after an illness of tubercu-
losis. The deceased was born June
4, 1869, and was accordingly 46 years
old. She leaves a husband, Albert
Spry, and one daughter, Luella, of
Pike township, this county. A faith
er, John T. Scoles, of Columbus and
the following brothers and sisters al
so survive: Richard, Samuel and
Rebecca Scoles of Columbus and Mrs.
Albert Blue, west of Mt. Vernon.
The remains will be brought to this
city and taken to the home of Richard
Scholes, brother of the deceased, on
the Sychar road. The funeral Sunday
afternoon at o'clock at the Pike
church, Rev. Bender officiating. In
terment in the Pike cemetery.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-02-08
been taken.

At the regular meeting Friday night
of Mt. Zion lodge No. 9, F. & A. NJ.
one candidate, Coral Wellman, Of
Gambler, received the degree of Mas
ter Mason. An interested spectator
was E. L. Westervelt, a member of
York lodge, No. 56S, of Columbus, anu
classmate of the candidate at the
Howe Military Institute. Mr.. WesteF-
velt is a son of H. D. Westervelt.
present high priest of York Chapter
No. 200, R. A. NJ, Of Columbus.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-02-08
BIG ATHLETIC MEET
AT BOSTON

Boston, Feb. 5-The 9th indoor
athletic meet of the Boston Athletic
association brings together today
some of the best athletics of the east.
Colleges and clubs have entered
teams in the various events. TAA
epecial events are a three-mile run.
the hunter mile, the 45-yard hurdles
and 4O-yard dash. Some of the indoor
records are sure to go, for classier
collection of athletes was never seen
at the Boston meet.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-02-08
Too Many Kinds of Departmental
Reports.

Ohio has been printing too many
kinds of departmental reports, and
those issued are usually not properly
condensed. Auditor Donahey drew up
a bill requiring each department to
furnish a copy Of its annual report in
typewriter form to the secretary of
state, who is to publish single vol
ume containing summary and reca-
pitulation of all. This became a law
in 1915 and the change will save thou
sands of dollars yearly.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-02-08
Jesse Smith

Jesse Smith died at his home in JEFF
ferson township Friday afternoon at
o'clock after an illness of bronchitis
and uraemic poisoning. The deceased
was II years of age and leaves a
wife, three sons and two daughters.
The funeral and interment in Perrys-
vile, Ashland county, where the de-
ceased formerly lived
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-02-08
John Baxter

Heart trouble caused the sudden
deeth at Brandon Friday of John Bax-
ter. The deceased was stricken while
working near wood pile at his home
at $3.50 o'clock in the afternoon. His
wife, looking from a window in the
house, beheld her husband lying pros
trate on the pile. When she arrived,
he was dead. The deceased was 60
years of age and had been suffering
with the grip. He is survived by his
wife and two children: Mrs. Charles
Vonsell and George Baxter, the latter
residing in Oklahoma.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-02-08
PENRosE CAUSES ARREST
OF Newark Man on Charge Of Selling
Sun Fish

On a charge of selling sun fiSh
which he had caught in the waters af
Buckeye Lake, Steven Ulrich of New
ark was arrested Friday by GaA&
Warden Ernest T. Penrose of this
city. Ulrich pleaded guilty before
Squire Jones of Newark and was
fined $50 and costs. In default Of paw
ment, he was given a sentence Of 50
days in Jail. Ulrich was selling the
fish in Newark.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-02-08

examiners md assistant examiners In
the bureau OF accounting show that
during the past year in addition to
their regular labor OF hours per day
they have put in over 900 days OF ex
tra time for which they received no
compensation.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-02-08
state of Ohio, city of Toledo,

Frank ]. Cheney makes oath that he
is senior partner of the firm of +. j.
Cheney & Co., doing business in the
City of Toledo, County and State afore-
said. and that said firm will pay the
sum of ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS for
each and every case of Catarrh that
cannot be cured by the use of HALLS
CATARRH CURE. FRANK j. CHENEY
Sworn to before me and subscribed
in my presence, this 9Th day of Decem-
ber. A, d. 1886. A. w. GLEASON,
(Seal) Notary Public
Halls Catarrh Cure is taken Intern
ally and acts through the Blood on the
Mucous Surfaces of the System. Send
for testimonials. free.
f. j. CHENEY & CO.. Toledo, o.
Sold by all druggists, 76c.
Halls Family Pills for constipation.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-02-08
KNOX co.
Boy Declines To Go To West
Point As Cadet

washington Special to Columbus
Journal.)
Representative Ashbrook offered a
cadetship at West Point to Richard
Hunter Of Buckeye City, son of N. H.
Hunter, a member of the Ohio legis-
lature, but received word today from
the young man, declining the offer.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-02-08
George H. CIemmer

Rev. w. A. Clemmer received a tel
egram Saturday morning conveying
the information that his father,
George H. Clemmer, had dropped
dead at his home in West Alexandria.
Rev. Mr.. Clemmer departed for West
Alexandria Saturday noon.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-02-08
Mrs. Charles sIineluff

Harry G.. Slingluff received tele-
gram Saturday morning carrying the
news of the death of his mother, Mrs.
Charles Slingluff, at Norristown, Pa.
Mr.. Slinluff left Saturday for Norris
town. The deceased was 72 years of
age and leaves, in addition to Mr.
Slingluff, two daughters, Miss Ella
and Miss Minnie
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-02-08

second annual report to tho Governor. .
saw copy in u law office in Eaton few
days ago. 1 had the privilege Of exnmin-
ing II for few moments. ] saw 90 many
valuable suggestions i'm ii that | wish a
copy OF my own that / can examine at
leisure. Thanking you In advance am
sincerely yours,
(slgned) ANDREW l.. HARRIS.
The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-02-08
BILL TO PENSION
RURAL CARRIERS

bill has been introduced into con
gress in which the rural carriers of
the county are much interested. II is
to pension all rural carriers who have
been in the employ of the government
for a specified number of years.
vote on the measure has not yet
been taken.