The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-02-01
Our Statesmen.
what They Think and Say of Our
II. II. w.

Correspondence of the Star
COLUMBUS, o., Jan. 81.
The past week has been busy one in the
Legislature, and many new bills have been
introduced and some few passed upon One
of the most important measures before the
House is the proposition to reorganize
Cleveland, upon which matter caucus was
held on Wednesday evening, when it was
decided that the proposition be espoused as
a party measure and that the bill pass. The
Republicans are determined to fight the
matter to the bitter end, but their struggle
will be a fruitless one. The corrupt Court
house ring of Cleveland must 'yamose the
ranch"
Speaking of reorganization reminds me
that few bills have been introduced in The
House looking to the reorganization OF Gin
cinnati to some extent. l refer to, among
Others, Jessup's move to abolish the Board
of Public Works of Cincinnati. Owing to
the diversity of opinion in the Little Legis-
lature, it is doubtful if the bill will become
law. Besides, The prime instigators have
SO far failed to furnish facts and figures
upon which Mr.. Jessup can base his argu-
ment. The STAR has taken the opportunity
| to talk the matter over with a number OF
the Hamilton County members with the
following success:
We first approached Senator Armstrong
who is one of the most careful and fair
minded men in the Assembly.
Tell u.s. said the STAR, ''are you in
favor of the abolition of the Board of Pub
lie Works of Cincinnati?
Il can not say that am exactly in favor
Establishing it, and yet l feel that some
| ~ L. 60, 6
cnnati. You see we have not the money
to spend in employing more workmen.
am satisfied, though that we are paying toe
high salaries to the members of the Board
and they might be reduced considerably
But there is a mistaken idea in regard tc
the Board. Now, if the old Board of City
Improvements were in power, they coulG
not relieve the distress or give more work
than the Board of Public Works is now do
ing, for, as | said before, they have not the
money, and that is the trouble. So far
have heard no argument for or against The
Board; but when the bill does come up
will vote for whatever measure will hon
estly relieve all classes in Cincinnati"
We next sought out MIR. Forrest, who eX
pressed himself that the Board may be {
good institution, but that in his opinion
they are drawing very large salary, which
might be reduced, and that much gooC
might be done without abolishing th
Board. However, he was in favor Of NOR
work for the unemployed workingmen o
the city, and hoped some plan might be in
suited for their relief, but he was not SUR
that abolishing the Board would improy
matters any.
Mr. Loder was the next statesman VIII
expressed himself Mr.. Loder states tina
he can not vote for any bill that has as We
been presented. lie thinks that the Boar
) might be modified, and salaries reduced
He understood that they were costing tn
city, in salaries alone, of themselves ant
assistants about $50, 600 per year, which h
thought was entirely too much and shoult
be cut down, but he thought the ent
might be met by cutting down salaries ant
not abolishing the Board.
Mr.. Klimper says he will vote against tn
Jessup Bill open and above board. II
/ thinks the Board has saved the city $1,000
since it has been in operation. He will OF
pose the bill.
, Mr.. Lovelace, who has also introduced
bill having the same object in view, say
that the Board is costing the city no les
5 than $4,000 per year in salaries alone
which is more than double as much as
. should cost. He thinks the Board frau
anu ali lHCulllblulCS Oll VIC
e that it should be abolished. He think
: however, that the bill introduced by hin
. self is more conservative and better on
y for the purpose than that introduced
Y Mr.. Jessup, but he will support any propc
sition to abolish the Board.
Your correspondent next met the autht
> of the bill, Capt. Jessup, who expresse
|. himself that his bill was just one, an
U would pass. He thought, however, thu
y persons who are always growing about I'll
y Board should hold their peace, or else pr
e duce facts and figures upon which to just
= fly the abolition of the Board. He had n
. i'll feeling against the Board, either &C
u lectively or individually, but was doir
simply what he thought best for the inle
est of the people.
1t is evident the Hamilton delegation a
S not unit for the bill, aud its passage is i
il deed very doubtful. Besides, no opposite
;, has been made as yet by the Board theI
Il selves, and, OF course they will not make {
J. opposition until the bill is put upon
O passage. ANON.