The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1886-01-20


you all Is, that the election laws OF Ohio are
in many respects faulty and should be care
fully revised, with view to prevent, as far
as human ingenuity may, all frauds. and the
most important steps in this direction are to
provide for the subdivision of cities and
counties into single election districts for
Senators and members, the establish
ment OF small voting precincts and q
non.partisan management aud conduct
OF the election. and then fierce. impa-
cable punishment without fear, favor or
anection Of any man who dares to tamper
with or AFFECT by fraud, forgery or oorrup5
tlon the election or its returns. Now is the
time when this great reform can be made in
the State of Ohio better than ever before
The great State OF New York in 1888 was
in the City OF New York so monstrous that
II the Presidential election that year hal
turned upon the vote OF that State the most
serious evils would have been brought upon
the whole country. The very enormity Of
the crimes excited the attention of the lead.
Ing men Of the two great parties and led to
the passage or perhaps the best election law
In our country. Mr. Tilden, q leading Demo-.
crat, was a conspicuous actor in this reform,
and by his services in breaking down the
corrupt ring In that great city rendered the
whole country the highest possible service.
IL is the honest belief that the rec snt elec-
tions at Cincinnati have demonstrated that
that city now needs the same energetic re-
form. But not only there but In all parts OF
the State, small precincts, single districts,
and non'partisau management are necessary
20 preserve the purity OF our elective sys-
tenn.
l trust yon will pardon me II add my
earnest hope TO the official statements OF
Governor Hoadly and Governor Foraker,
that TINS Legislature will, without partisan
bias give to the people of Ohio that which 10
worth more 10 them than millions of treas
uro, a wise election law.
There is another topic, nonpartissn In
character, which venture TO mention as one
that this Legislature is admirably qualified
to deal with and settle. for time at least,
free from party politics. The temperance
movement Is now attracting the attention Of
every State In the Union. The evils growing
out OF the unrestralned manufacture and
sale OF spirituous liquors are acknowledged
BY all good citizens. How far the traffic
should be restrained or regulated or prohib-
ited, js not and ought not to be made politl-
cal question, Tor political parties, from their
very nature. must be divided upon these
| questions The Prohibition party, as It Is
called Is not represented by a single mem.
Der in the General Assembly, and does not
embrace 1.-THE Of the people in the two
great parties who believe In wise laws
to regulate or restrain the trattic. and differ
only as TO the best measure that can be
adopted for that purpose The Constitution
OF Ohio restrans the Legislature only in pro.
hibiting the passage Of license law, but
| this provision OF the Constitution has been
frequently made the subject OF judicial de.
| cision, and careful examination of these
decisions shows that there is open TO the
| General Assembly almost every form OF
legislation which. by the experience of other
States, has been found most beneficial in re.
stralning tho evils OF the traffic among which
| are tax laws, local option laws, laws re.
straining sales to minors and other persons
under liabilities. and laws making liquor.
sellers responsible for injuries done by their
| traffic. Surely from among these various
| remedies some may be adopted that will
lessen the evils of intemperance without af.
fectlng the right OF each Individual to decide
| for himself what he will eat. or drink, or
wear On this subject, as well as on all
| others, moderation and experience are the
| best guides for human legislation. Partisan
| divisions weaken and destroy the best meas
ures that can be devised. for no law of this
kind can be enforced unless by the acquies-
cance ofthe great body OF the people, in.
| r'"1ing large portions OF both political par
| ties.
Ihers "a another class OF measures more
dlficult still which demand the utmost care
| and which should not be mingled with party
| politics. The division of the results of in.
dustry between the labor that is employed
1 and tho capital that Is necessary for produc.
| ton must usually depend upon the law OF
| supply and demand, which Is beyond the
scope of legislative powers. still, as labor ls
| the foundation OF all production, of ali pros.
| perity, and 10 performed by the great body
| OF our people. every measure should have
| for its chief object the protection OF labor
| and those who labor. and 10 secure for them
the largest possible share in tho comforts
i
| prompt and efficient remedy, by arbitration
| or summary process, to settle the disputes
| that often arise between laborers and opera
tors as TO rate of wages, hours Of work and
| the like, and this remedy should be condl.
ton OF every act OF incorporation granted by
| the State.
Every opportunity for education. improve.
ment and advancement should be afforded 10
all classes alike, without di tinction of race,
color, nativity or creed. Good government
| depends upon the equal voice and vote of
all. and this can only be secured by the diff
fusion OF Intelligence and fair and Just treat.
ment OF all branches OF industry. The pro.
lection of property is the cause OF the great
body of the expenses of government, and.
therefore, acquired property should pay the
great body OF the taxes imposed by law. II
this respect the laws OF Ohio have always
been Just and fair, though sometimes op.
pressive, especially to the farmers. whose
capital, easily ascertained. 10 sometimes
made 70 bear an unequal share OF the bur
dens OF taxation. have often tho0ght that
many modes could be devised OF Indirect
taxation on the sale Of articles which are not
prime necessity and on special employ
ments and corporations created by law that
would eQuallZ8 taxation and reduce the rate
All these and the multiplied wants of
people 40 advanced as the people of OhjJ,
make the duties Of the General Assembly
vitality imortant-
Gus subjects which emand your attention
will not be considered out OF place by me,
for, though engaged In another department
OF kindred duty. | will often require the
benent OF your advice and assistance, and 7
hope, therefore, you will not take It amiss
when / refer to the still more important
duties that you arp called upon to perform.
A complex government like ours, composed
OF one nation, many States and innumerable
local governments, depends for its success
upon the harmonious working OF all these
agencies OF the people. II recognizes n
diversity or wants, created by difference OF
cation, and, therefore, provides for suprem.
acy and power In the nation over few
things, broader and more general powers to
the States over many things. aud local self.
government by the people In innumerable
smaller subdivisions Of territory. The best
that each OF us, who are the common serv-
ants OF the people. can do is faithfully tn
perform our duty In the places assigned
MS. always remembering that the power dele.
gated to each OF US ls but brief and tran
slent trust, not TO promote selfish ends, but
the good OF our common constituents.
j assure you, gentlemen, that without re-
calling that am elected by party, will 20
back to Washington with the earnest desire
to perform the duties that you have as
signed me, with the hope TO contribute to the
best OF my abilities, not merely to the sue
cess OF my party, but to the good OF the
whole country. To me the National Govern.
ment In our systom 10 the father the pro-
tector OF our national honor, our defender
against enemies at home and abroad, while
the state Is the good mother who guards
sacredly the home. the family and the do.
nestle interests Of life, 20 be beloved by
every good citizen Of the State. the fountain
and sourre OF the greatest blessings Of
domestic life. Ohio can Justly claim TO be
the equal Of any other In the ssterhood of
States central In location rich In resources,
the common pathway OF all the States. con.
tanning over three millions OF people as
happy In their surroundings as those OF any
community IN the world. We must do our
part 70 advance and Improve our condition
by w,se legislation and by the moral In.
huences of education and religion. In this
way only can Ohio sustain the high and hon.