The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1877-01-11


cious limitation of the rate OF taxa
ton which local authorities may levy
be strictly adhered to, and allow nc
further ind debtedness be authorized ex.
cept in conformity with these princi
Piles, aud we may. believe, confident
ly expect that within few years the
burdens of debt now resting upon
the cities and towns of the State will
disappear, and that other wholesome
and much needed reforms in the whole
administration Of our municipal gov
ernment will of necessity follow the
adoption of what may be called the
cash system in local affairs.
Under any limitations and safe
guards which the Legislature may
adopt, very large discretion must
necessarily be committed to the local
authorities. The wisdom of it's exer-
else will depend mainly on the citizens
themselves. In order to secure an
honest, economical, and efficient ad-
ministration of city government, the
best citizens of all parties must unite
and act together. In the administra-
ton of our State and National Gov
ernment we have political parties, and
it is probably best that it should be so.
But there is no more reason for the
antagonisms of political parties in a
municipal government than in bank
or railroad company. Municipal gov
ernments are organizations designed
chiefly for the better protection of
property and person, and the better
management of schools and charities.
In the administration of such govern
ments all honest, industrious citizens
have an identical interest, The coop
Grafton of a moderate proportion of
the best citizens in any city in Ohio,
with the determination, expressed by
them that good men from all political
parties, or no political party, shall ad-
minister its affairs, and that unfit men
of any. p arty shall not hold its Offices,
would soon secure a good municipal
government. Such government calls
for the best work of the best men, and
neither party alone can furnish it.
The improvement of our municipal
gen orally would consti-
tute one of the best possible guaran-
tees of an efficient civil service upon a
large scale.
In the month of April last informa
t ion was received from the Sheriffs of
the counties OF Stark and Wayne, and
from other sources, that in some of the
mining districts of those counties
D ands of rioters were by force and in
preventing laborers from
where they had been hired
md were desirous to labor, and that
heir employers had been expelled
~ violence from their property.
The Adjutant Gen eral and the At
orney G eneral of the State immedi-
.tely repaired to the scene of the al
eyed riots, and, after investigation,
eported that the representations OF
he Sherif's of these counties were
ully sustained by the facts, and that
he local authorities were unable to
lfford protection to citizens and to
reserve the peace.
The Adjutant-G was directed
o call 10 the aid of the local authori
les Of sad counties military force
utficient TO protect citizens in the en-
oyment of their rig hts and to enforce
he laws.
With the assistance thus afforded
he civil authorities were enabled to
rr est many of the offenders and pre-.
ent further injury 10 person and
Immediately after learn
ng that the local authorities were
gain able TO maintain law and order
Without assistance from the State, the
com panies which had been
allied into the service of the State
vere withdrawn and returned to their
omes.
The Adjutant- Generals report cor
aims full and detailed account of
hese transactions, accompanied by
opies of all papers relating thereto
nd statement of the expenses in
urred. 1t is gratifying that in this
flair, which at one time threatened to |
'e very serious, the supremacy of the
aw was upheld without loss of life.
Adjutant-General Wikoff, Attorney
General Little and the officers and |
men of the military companies which
we're called out deserved and have re-
,eived the marked appreciation of the
people Of the State.
The Board of Centennial Managers
1aye completed the work entrusted to
hem, and it is satisfaction to know
hat the part taken by the people of
Ohio in the National Exhibition at
was highly creditable to
he State.
The appropriations made by the
General Assembly have been carefully |
md economically expended, and when
,he affairs of the Board are closed up
. balance of several thousand dollars
will be left unexpended.
The entire number of Ohio exhib-
is was LOCO, OF. which $50 received |
wards, proportion larger than was
,hto;no1 hv anv other State for tho |
ame class of articles. The jury on
collective State exhibits, Individual
exhibits not coming within the line of
heir duties) recommend. in their re-
BORT awards to Ohio as follows:
81. For State Building on the Cen
ennial Grounds. of excellent design
md workmanship, constructed with
exclusively from Ohio, and