The Celina Democrat., September 30, 1910, Image 4

About The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921

Image provided by: Ohio History Connection, Columbus, OH

                
The Celina Democrat
C. C. CARL1N, Proprietor
JAS. K. CAKL1N, Local tditoi
omee-Rlley 11 ii 1 1 t 1 ii ar , ioni1 floor.
Iritnc 110 Kant Mnrkel utrxt'l.
(tltlim 'plioim ti. KiwUlHiitw 'iiUuiik all
Kn-
ONK DOLLAU 1M It YKAU
Wllh Ohio rrm Ijw Il
Wit h IMiiulnnnU Iwily I'o-it f"1
I '"All autMiTlutlona paynulnlii advance
Tin Dkmimihat will fool olillKHti'il many
uli'rllHr who fnlla to reeeUe III ll r
ri'KiilHrly and promptly, If voiiipluliit will
l made to the olllcu.
KKIDAY, September Mil, ItHO
DEMOCRATIC TICKET
Klectlon Tuesday, November H.
For 1'nlted mute Hennlor -
JOHN J. I. KM'., of Krnuklln.
ror ?ovrnor
JUliaON HAKMON. Hnmllton.
For Lieutenant flovernnr
ATLEH 1DMEIIKNU Stark.
For Supreme Court Judsn
M H. UONAHI'K, Perry.
JAMES JuIINSON. Clark.
For Attorney General
TIMOTHY IIOOAN, Jai-kurm.
For Fortary of State
CHARLES H. GltAVES. Otf.we,
For Clark Supreme Court
FRANK M'KKAN, CujruhoRft.
FT State Trenmirer
D. 8. CREAM Ell, Belmont.
For Dairy and Food Commlaslnner
8. E. STRODE, Crawford.
For School Cimml-wltmcr
I'RANK W. MILLER. Mnntromcry.
Foe Member llonrd of Publlo Works--
J. A. STATES, AUen.
For Member of Conui-emi
J. H. (ioKKK, of AtiKlnli'.
For HtBte Kenittnr
W. N. SHAFFER, of Pallidum.
For Circuit Court Judire
l'lULII' M. CHOW, of Iliirdln.
For Commo.i Plena .indde
H.T, MATHERS, of Shelby.
For Heprescntrttlvo
S M I E I. J. V1MNU.
For Clerk of Courts
WALTER I.. JOHNSON.
For SlierllT
81IKLL M. FISHER.
For County Auditor
JAMES L. MORROW.
For County Commllnner-
FRANK MI.I.HOFF.
FKK.U HKIHV.
ISAAC S. K1SEK.
For County Treamirer
JOHN B. ALBERS.
For County Recorder
llLUH O. THOMAS.
For County Surveyor
JlLI.ON it. SM ALLEY.
For I'rosecutlna Attorney--
JOHN li. ROM ER.
For Inllrmiiry Ulrectors
ANPREW HRI'NSWICK.
HENRY NIKHAI'S.
(iEOKUK II. I'KKSToN.
For Coroner
HARRY L. HKiHT.
It is sad to contemplate the number
of men In Mercer County who virtual
ly deny food and clothing to them
selves and their families in order that
they may contribute to some sleek sa-loon-keeper
and his family.
The opening at Kenton is said to
have been a frost. Republicans ought
to have known better than to try to
pry the lid on of their campaign in the
same tow n where bill r inley, jnu imr
bin and Phil Crow lives. Putnam
County Sentinel.
Uoosevelt made the usual monkey of
his followers in the New York State
Republican convention Wednesday.
The pledges made before the conven
tion turned out to be compromises.
Such a wind-bag the country has never
seen. To think men will follow such
leadership is almost past belief.
YVm. Powers, of San Francisco, bad
ly injured, refused to have his leg cut
oil' to save his life. Then they got a
Judge, who decided he must. Thou
sands of men commit suicideevery day
by the beer and whisky route, but
there is no Judge to call a halt. They
would hurt the business of very inllu
ential friends.
Probably one of the most pleased
Democrats in Mercer County at the an
nouncement of Hon. John J. Lent.'s
candidacy for Senator Dick's seat in
the U. S. Senate, was II. O. Mowery,
Chairman of the County Cen ral Com
mittee, who was far from being infat
uated with playing it blind on the
Senatorship and being sold out to the
highest bidder. And that is the senti
ment of the Democratic Northw est.
BY
E
Harmon Submits His Record to
Voters of Ohio for Their
Consideration.
Many Details of Administration
Set Forth in Campaign Open
ing Speech at Canton.
Speaking at the Democratic cam
paign opening at Canton, Governor
Harmon dealt chiefly with the more
important details of his administra
tion. His entire speech follows:
Two years ago the Democratic par
ty of Ohio again proved its right to
be classed as a useful political
agency by exposing the wrongdoings
and shortcomings of certain state of
ficials and promising to replace them
by honest and efficient service. It
claimed for its members no monopoly
of virtue or ability, but it was not
controlled by men whose selfish pur
poses require for accomplishment
public agents of their own selection.
Its candidates were the free choice
of delegates who represented the
voters of the party and each nominee
was pledged to do his utmost toward
the reform of the government.
The excitement and confusion due
to the choosing of presidential elec
tors by the same ballot prevented the
election of all but two of its nomi
neesthose for governor and treas
urer. The conduct of their respec
tive offices by these two makes up
the record on which the Democratic
party now comes before the people.
When a man Is first looked over by
the voters In connection with a ser
vice they require they have nothing
but his general character to aid them
and the qualities he may have shown
In other positions, but when the
voters have once tried a man it Is a
simple matter to decide whether they
PROMISE
PROVED
PERFORMANG
want ti 1 in again or not. PciTot'naneo
ti;tM tlicii displaced promise, and ex
pectation Riven way to knowledge.
A n attempt to escape this tent wouM
be a ronfenslou of unlliiii'KH. Mat It
run not be escaped. All Unit run bo
fairly usked Is consideration of cou
dltttiiia under whlrh th work had to
bo undertaken, one of which, In our
government of wisely dish lbiitd
powers. In always co-operation or the
lark i:f It on the part of other of
flrlaU.
So the iU'Btlon brfure the people
la, shall the conduct of tho present
governor and treasurer be upprovvj
or condemned? And, If they ao li
be retained, ehnll their associates la
T HARMON'S CENTER SHOTS. J
When the voters have once
tried a man It It a simple mat
ter to decide whether they want
him again or not.
Shall the conduct of the pres
ent governor and treasurer be
approved or condemned?
The rise to wealth and high
1 bank positions of officials deal
! ing with public money, who had
' come to Columbus poor, had
I been too frequent not to arouse
suspicion.
The 6tate had for year lost
larae amounts of Interest which
i
went to qualify Its officials for
entry In financial circles.
Evidence of these wrongs was
laid before the attorney general,
with a request that he bring
suits to recover for the state
the profits thus made at It- ex
pense. All money collected Is prompt
ly paid over and deposited so as
to draw interest for the state.
A bill was drawn and recom
mended at each session to re
quire a like course by all treas
urers. In spite of frequent urg
ing this bill was twice rejected
by the majority In control of
the general assembly. The tax
payers can draw their own con
clusions. It Is sufficient to say that
there ias been no halting, shirk
ing or shielding by the Execu
tive In the work of reform, and
that it Is proceeding and will
prooeed as rapidly as conditions
permit.
Never keep explosives con
cealed on the premises when
dangerous persons are known to
be prowling about. Either be
careful to have none, or explode
them yourselves.
Personal inclination must ever
give way to public duty and the
hidden sore be cured by the
open and faithful wound.
Good government in Ohio Is
necessary in order that she may
keep her high rank in the sis
terhood of states and be able to
do her full share in maintaining
the well being of the Union.
the executive and other departments
of the government he men In hearty
sympathy with their desire to im
prove the'public service or men who,
from any motive whatsoever, are
likely to give them only half-hearted
6upport or none at all?
The State Treasury.
The practices which long prevailed
regarding the money in the treasury
were partly made known by the sen
ate committee early in 1D08. The Re
publican member, who has ever since
been the leader of the majority of
the senate, dissented from the com
mittee's report, after doing all he
could to obstruct its work. Its find
ings were denounced by him and by
every state officer from governor
down as unfounded and falsely parti
san, and their party press dd tho
same, with some exceptions, of which
the Marion Star was not one.
The new treasurer promptly abol
ished the system of favoritism by
which the public funds were deposit
ed in banks in which former treas
urers and other officials had secured
stock, and in banks controlled by
tlreir political confederates, at rates
fixed by themselves, which they knew
to be much lower than were being
paid by the same banks on other de
posits. The funds were all with
drawn and redeposited on fair coin
petition open to all banks in the state
alike. Much higher rates were thus
obtained, which are still In force.
Ever since the law requiring the
deposit of state funds the treasury
books showed an enormous amount
of cash kept in the vaults, averaging
nearly $800,000, although $")O0,0O0
more was constantly on deposit in
Columbus banks subject to check.
The present treasurer at once re
duced the cash in the vault to $30,
000, which is ample for daily needs,
making all above that sum earn in
terest for the state by prompt de
posits. Their promise to the voters thus
kept, the governor and treasurer, as
soon as their regular duties permit
ted, proceeded to find out the exact
and entire truth about graft In the
use of state funds. The senate com
mittee had reported some of the
facts, and the rise to wealth and high
bank positions of officials dealing
with public money, who had come to
Columbus poor, had been too frequent
not to arouse suspicion.
Not an Easy Task.
The task was long and hard. It had
been confessed to the committee that
the treasury books contained no full
and accurate account of lawful do-
posits. Some of such books as were
kept were missing when the office
changed hands. No account was kept,
of course, of state money privately
used or deposited. It was found that
the files had been gone through and
systematically robbed of correspond-1
ence relating to such deposits, but a
careful search revealed an oversight
here and there sufficient to direct
Inquiry. j
Finally the failure of tho Euolld
Avenue Bank and Trust ComrWT. '
LENTZ FOR SENATOR
Democratic Democrats and Progressives of All
Parties Will Now Have a Candidate
Worth Contending For.
Cowardly Action of State Convention in Side
stepping Senatorial Indorsement Over
come by His Entering the Race.
It is with pleasure Tin-: Democrat learns of tho announcement of
the entrance into the field for United Stales Senator of ex-Congressman
John J. Lent., of the capital district. His decision to make a contest
for the place now held by Senator Dick is pleasing to democratic Dem
ocrats ami progressives of all parties. It lifts the Democrats of Ohio
out of the slough into w hich they were ruthlessly dumped by the recent
Stale convention of the party, when it refused to make a Senatorial in
dorsement and left the people in the dark on the caliber of the man to
fill an office of more import to the people of Ohjo than the Governor
ship; and we do not for a moment underestimate the far-reaching value
of a clean, able and incorruptible chief executive at Columbus in
making this broad statement.
It is fortunate for the party so clean-cut, able, progressive and force
ful Democrat has stepped forward to champion the people's side of the
questions now at issue in the State and Nation. With Dick eliminated
the Interests still have one more Senator from the great State of Ohio
than they are justly entitled to. The man who believes in the rule of
the people can tie to John J. Lent, with confidence. He is no late-day
convert to democracy. Like William J. Rryan, lie has seen Roosevelt
and the Republican progressives in the West take up many of the
measures he has contended for the last fourteen years. He has never
faltered on a question that has been ill the interest of the people. He
believes that platforms are a contract not to be ignored the day after
the ballots are counted.
Mr. Lent, stands for the election of U. S Senators by a direct vole
of the people.
He stands for the insurance of bank deposits.
He stands for a postal express for the rural routes.
He stands for a postal telegraph or electric mail.
He stands for the initiative, referendum and recall the paramount
issues that will make the people's representatives stand hitched and
pull the fangs of the Interests.
He stands for man before the dollar.
He stands for every reform that means the uplifting of mankind.
Mercer County Democrats believer he can unhorse Dick; but
whether he can or he can't, they are for John J. Lent, for Senator.
Democrats of the State, GKT BUSY!
which held both lawful and unlawrui
deposits at the same time, gave ac
cess to its books and papers. These
also had been despoiled, but enough
had been missed to show plainly the
systematic loaning of public money
for personal profit. Photographs of
entries, checks, etc., showing this are
in my hands.
Some banks refused all informa
tion, though they were known to
have been partners in the scheme.
As they were national, there were no
means of getting at the truth with
out legal process. Of one of these,
The' Commercial Bank of Columbus,
the treasurer of the Republican state
committee, Mr. W. F. Huffman, was
and is the president. In others still
there were sudden disappearances of
hooks and papers when, being state
banks, they were obliged to give ac
cess to their files and record3 relat
ing to state funds. But at last evi
dence was secured showing that by
the above and various other devices
the state had for years lost large
amounts of interest which went to
qualify it3 officials for entry In finan
cial circles.
One of the methods employed was
this:
Various officers other than the
treasurer collected taxes from corpo
rations amounting to millions every
year. These were paid by checks,
which were usually, If not always,
deposited in favored banks in which
various state officials had stock, and
months were allowed for colli tion
of these cheeks, though they were
promptly presented and paid. During
this period the state lost and others
enjoyed the use of large amounts of
its money.
The astonishing discovery was then
made that the official bonds covering
both terms of one of the treasurers
involved had been removed from the
files of the secretary of state and
could not be found, but copies were
fortunately obtained.
Suits Started In Court.
The evidence of these wrongs was
laid before the attorney general, with
a request to bring suits to recover
for the State the profits thus made at
its expense, which he has done. In
spite ef all efforts to delay and con
ceal we are confident that large
amounts will be restored to the treas
ury. One former official has already
paid over a large sum to avoid
threatened suit.
A complete record and system ef
account!, has now been Installed In
tho treasury, and all money collected
-: f '
. M
w
iii.r-irnii ililil' IWtWjlurHfc ShH V
I is promptly paid over and deposited
6'j as to draw interest for the state.
After the deposit law took effect
the grafting was carried on undor
cover of the large amounts of cash
which it was pretended were carried
in the treasury vaults, as above stak
ed, but which were In fact never
mere except on the stated days whet
the treasury was examined, whlc
were lAiown in advance.
The depository law was approved
May is, 1E04, hut it was not put in j
operation until November fol'.owlr
Ainong the banks then approved w
the Cincinnati Trust Company, whoi.j
president was and Is Mr. George 1
Cox. This bank was very deliberaU
though, about taking a deposit under
the law, and did not. do so until mon
than a year later. Perhaps reluctant
is the better word, because the bank
already had a private deposit of
$200,000 of state money at 2 per cent,
while the rate fixed by the depository
board was 2.
Interesting Correspondence.
How this was managed appoars
from the following correspondence
between the State Treasurer and that
company's treasurer:
Jan. 27, 1305.
Mr. F. R. Williams,
Cincinatl, O.
Dear Sir:
Our quarterly settlement comes on
Sat. Feb. 4th, so I wish you would kindly
have tho currency held by you here not
later than Friday tho 3rd.
Should you wish it you can have It
back the following Monday.
With best wishes,
Yours truly,
W. 8. McKINNON.
Jan. 23, 1905.
Hon. W. S. McKlnnon,
Columbus, O.
Dear Sir:
I desire to acknowledge receipt of your
letter of the 27th tho contents of which
have been noted nnd In conformity to
your wishes I will call on you on Friday
next and trust you will find It conveni
ent to be at your omco on that day.
Yours very truly,
,F. R. WILLIAMS,
Treasurer.
Similar correspondence occurred
Just before each "quarterly count"
during the year 1905, while Mr. Har
ding was lieutenant governor and In
good health. In January, 1906, John
Fattison feebly climbed the steps of
the capltol and this money was trans
ferred to a state ancount.
All these reforms have been insti
tuted by the present treasurer of his
own free will. A bid was drawn and
recommended at each session to re
quire a like course by all treasurers.
In spite of frequent urging this bill
J
ir
ji
B
ijir?
J L 3
SfiTURDAY, KTIBESS S, m
At 1 o'clock p.m., at the east door of the
Court-house, CELINA, Ohio.
This is a modern two-story brick build
ing, with fine basement and a roomy attic,
and a slate roof.
The rooms are steam-heated. Lately
equipped with all modern improvements.
Electric-lighted and water-works water
throughout.
Leading Hotel of Rockford, and a good
business and fine proposition for wide-awake
hotel man.
Terms of Sale, CASH.
was twice rejected by the majority
in control of the General Assembly.
The taxpayer's can draw their own
conclusion!..
At Kenton last week Mr. Harding,
speaking of all this, far from denying
the facts, said "everybody knew" tho
funds were not kept In the treasury,
as "they were supposed to be" (by
whom, if everybody know they were
not?) and that "the knowing people
of the state winked at tho transgres
sion." Surely this confession and
excuse only make a bad case worse.
If everybody knew, why the re
sistance to the committee's investi
gation and the chorus of denial of its
findings?
The "knowing people" who "wink
ed at the transgression" were cer
tainly not the great body of the peo
ple, but the official associates and po
litical confederates of tho grafters,
many of them personally honest them
selves, who covered up the crime and
shielded the criminals lest the Indig
nant voters of the great party whose
good name was In their keeping
should cast them out together from
control of its organization. For these,
like all other good citizens, wish to
be served only by men who will take
all means In their power to discover
everything that ought to be known
about the business of the state and
will not wink at a public wrong, from
any motive whatsoever, no matter
who commits it.
No Shirking of Duty.
Wasteful, careless and sometime
crooked practices were found to pre
vail In some departments and insti
tutions. This was not true of them
all, but the infection spreads fast If
Cot checked. In every case which
came under the authority of tho gov
ernor theso have been corrected, so
far as discovered, honest and busl-ncss-llke
methods established and
these entrusted to faithful and com
petent hands.
It has been difficult to secure evi
dence to sustain criminal proceed
ings in some cases where there was
moral certainty of guilt. The facts
have been brought to the notice of
the department of JtiHtice, and this
course will b followed right along.
Time forbids a recital of Instances,
but they have been widely published
and are generally known. It Is suffi
cient to say that there has been no
halting, shirking or shielding by the
Executive in the work of reform and
that it s proceeding and will proceed
as rapidly as conditions permit.
Canal Exposures.
The department of Public Works is
the last to receive attention. The
Governor has the appointment there
of only the chief engineer. The great
Importance of this position Is shown
by Its being the very first of the
many filled for me by my predeces
sor at the extra session be called for
the purpose Just one week before my
term began. Until the appointment
of the new chief engineer, recently, I
had no adequate moans of getting at
the true inwardnees of things In that
department. It Is already apparent
that wastefulness, nepotism and po
litical Jobbery prevail, If nothing
worBe.
There seems to be distress in some
quarters because It Is thought that
the fuse of these particular exposures
was purposely cut long, as It were.
This is not true and could not be, for
the reason Just stated. But if it were
true. It would carry a wholesome les
son: Never keep explosives concealed
ROCKFORD, OHIO,
on the premises when dangerous per
sons are known to be prowling about.
Either be careful to have none, or ex
plode them yourselves.
It Is not pleasant to expose or
punish public officials. Innocent fam
ilies are made to suffer and shame is
cast on the State. I should have
been glad to find rumor and suspi
clon always unfounded, and one who,
for personal or partisan ends, would
make or a 1 upon groundless charges,
Is not fit to ' a Governor or recognized
as a citizer of Ohio. But personal In
clination must ever give way to pub
lic duty and the hidden sore be cured
by 'the open and faithful wound.
Management of Institutions.
It takes time and close attention to
introduce needed reforms every
where, but it can be truly said that
the various departments and institu
tions of thu state which the governor
controls arc much better managed
than befoie, and more economically
malnti'r.ed. The general tone of tho
service In thorn has geen greatly im
proved. And no pains have been
spared to give practical effect to this
Fentli.Miit in my inaugural address:
"The people are determined that
their benevolent institutions, espe
cially, shall be conducted on the
highest plane in every respect. By
these they practice tho philanthropy
In which the Master set the great
example. The civilization which
grew from Ills teachings has rescued
the afflicted from neglect, derision
and persecution. The establishments
which a Christian state maintains for
charity are sacred, and every selfish
purpose should perish at their doors."
The General Assembly was 'n ses
sion for a time before my term be
gan, under call by my predecessor.
Warned by tho attitude of the major
ity therein that tho Interests of the
people were likely to suffer from lack
of hearty co-operation with the Execu
tive, I said this in the same address:
"These are some of the ideas which
appeal to me as I enter upon the
work to which my follow citizens
have called me. I can do but little
without their steadfast confidence and
support. Even with this aid the pow
ers of the chief executive alone will
not suffice. These are limited and
controlled by law, as they should be.
The hearty co-operation of my asso
ciates in the government is neces
sary; But while most of these are
not party comrades, whoso support
could be expected In political affairs,
I attribute to them the same wish I
have myself for the best government
we are able to supply, and the same
willingness to help mo In my part
that I have to help them In theirs.
I can not discredit them, If I would,
nor they me, but we can help each
other to gain tho approval of the
millions who must all share whatever
of benefit vor harm tho administration
they have entrusted to us shall bring
forth."
Attitude of Legislature.
I regret to say that this warning
and appeal found little response. Ex
ecutive requosts and recommenda
tions received scant courtesy, or
none at all, and the Governor's desire
that a thing be done seemed gener
ally a sufficient reason for not do
ing it.
This harmful condition persisted
throughout the- regular session also,
though partially modified. Some mem
bes of the majority In each house de
serve praise for a display of the
broadness and fairness which tbo
n m
peopie nave a right always to expert.
The measures recommended were
generally directed to Improvement in
honesty, economy, efficiency and fair
ness in the conduct of the public bus
iness, because these are the founda
tions of good government and until
they are made secure additions to
the superstructure are only waste
and delusion.
A tax commission was finally cre
ated to secure by constant and proper
attention Justice and fairness to all in
raising the public revenues, but for
reasons plainly and purely partisan
the appointment of city boards of re
view was left In the hands of state
officers, to be dictated, as always, by
the local bosses. For this reason,
chiefly, I withheld my approval,
though the bill was allowed to be
come a law for Its good features,
many of which were taken from a
bill drawn with my assistance.
Taxpayers were protected against
higher taxes, under the new appraise
ment of real estate, by limiting the
total to be levied In any year to the
amount levied under the present val
uations, but by the almost unanimous
vote of the majority the further limit
of one per cent for all purposes,
without a vote of thd people, was re
jected and the limit made one and a
half per cent instead.
Only a small part were enacted of
the provisions recommended to se
cure better returns of personal prop
erty. Recommendations Rejected.
The following are some of the rec
ommendations which were wholly re
jected, In addition to the one already
mentioned relative to safeguarding
the treasury:
For a single board to manage all
state institutions, both to save money
and improve conditions.
To require Inventories to be made
and kept in all departments and In
stitutions, so as to avoid the con
stant disappearance of property of
tho State.
To require all public agencies to
supply their needs by purchase from
state institutions, when possible, so
as to afford an adequate market for
manufactures under the Wertz law.
To provide against the great and
growing peril to the public from tho
fast and reckless running of auto
mobiles and grade the license fees
according to size or power.
To protect employes from imposi
tion and the loss of their wages at
the hands of loan sharks.
To preserve the purity of the bal
lot box In large cities by requiring
lodging house keepers to keep a reg
ister. To put a stop to the scandalous
conduct of lobbyists.
To complete Investigations of offi
cial wrongdoing by committees which
interested persons had suspended by
legal proceedings founded on techni
calities easily avoidable. The re
sponse to this request at the first
session was the notorious house bill
No. 51. This so tenderly shielded the
already partly exposed grafters from
risk In the further Investigation
proposed that they must have
drawn it themselves. The bill was
vetoed for reasons fully stated. The
burst of alacrity at the opening of
the second session was not due to a
change of heart, as Mr. Mooney
would have the people think. The
result of the unaided work of the
Governor and Treasurer had Just
Continued on fifth page.