The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1920-04-27
TWO MEN AND OHIO

Governor Cox was elected in 1915
and entered upon his third term as
chief executive of the Buckeye state
In his first two terms the Ohio elec
torate gave him a Democratic legisla
ture. No legislatures in the history
of Ohio have written so many sanely
laws on the statute books OF Ohio. ey-
en- though the advent of war curtailed
in measure the legislative accom-.
pishment OF the second legislature.
A. " Donahey was elected i'm 1916
to serve a second term as auditor OF
state. His term runs four years. His
great record resulted in his re.elec-
tion by an overwhelming majority
No two men I'm the history OF Ohio
have done greater service to the peo-
pie OF Ohio than Governor Cox and
Auditor Donahey.
Among their first tasks was the
adoption of a new fiscal system for
Ohio.
When Donahey went into Office the
states money was scattered in banks
all over the state. There was no
check upon 1t. A dozen or more state
treasures" really existed. Delfaca-
tions were unearthed and various
forms OF graft eliminated
The law stated that the auditor
should examine the treasury at GER
tain periods. 1t stated, doubtless with
design OF the plunderbund, the exact
day on which the auditor should
make his examination. The treasur-
er knew when the auditor was to
make the examination and naturally
could be prepared.
But Governor Cox and Auditor Don.
ahey changed the old order in Ohio's
affairs. They reorganized and revo.
lutionized the fiscal system. They
eliminated the sub.treasuries which
abounded in various departments
and divisions OF state government,
and put Ohio's money in the treasury
of Ohio. They changed the law, max.
ing ii incumbent on the auditor to
examine the treasury and placed It at |
the discretion of the auditor to Sc.
lect his time for examination. Thus
tho auditor, without advance notice.
may at any minute he desires, an.
pear and count the states money.
Furthermore they made it necessary
for duplicate statements OF receipts
TO go TO the auditor, thus putting
him in complete knowledge OF treas.
nry affairs.
None OF the skulldudgery OF the
good old days" when the Republi-
can political ring played loose with
Ohio's millions Is possible under this
system Not a single defalcaton has
occurred since 1913, u remarkable
record.
Aside from the splendid service
rendered by these two officials in the
years when a Democratic legislature
was In power. the past IL months has
"""'" w 'h' biu'ituuV VI Az tletIOT-
ate for both.
with n legislature overwhelmingly
Republican and boss and lobby-con-
trolled. the vigilance of governor and
auditor was more than necessary
BY preventing the enactment of
laws that would destroy the greater
part OF the things gained by the peo.
pie In the few years previous, by
picking out the "sleepers" which
were discovered In measure after
measure, passed under the whip of
the bosses, Gov. Cox has performed
service to the state of Ohio that win
never be forgotten.
BY guarding the treasury and stop.
ping treasury raids from every angle,
Vic Dopahey has further earned the
right 10 he called the watch dog of
the treasury" His service TO the
state Is not underestimated by the
elecorate at large.
And the Democratic party In Ohio,
sponsor for both, may well be proud.
With all these things and the multi.
tude OF others too numerous to men.
ton, Is II any wonder that Ohio Dem.
ocrats today are interested In the
promotion OF both In the public ser.
vice?