Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-09-19

repuenant to the instincts OF the people, who see
therein an attempt to perpetuate ill-used power.
Yet, in the face Of honored usage and publicsen-
timent, the 'stranglers'' into whose greedy NAV
the republican party Of Ohio has disappeared,
have the audacity to demand a third successive
term for the most fmperious and profigate adj
ministration ever inflicted upon us.
Two years ago the chairman of our state con-
vention promulgated great but unappreeiated
truth, when he said that t'the executive depart
ment of onrstate government had, for nearly two
years past been administered to promote the
personal ambition and political fortunes OF those
in control" Unluckily the people did not at
that time realize the selfish character OF the state
administration, 1t had not then become sum-
eiently odious to arouse the universal indigna-
tion which now prevails, and it was permitted to
continue its career of tyranny and extraVagance
The self-seeking politicians who composed 1t be-
came blinded by success. Cities were seized and
given over to the baleful sway of incompetent
boards, which became with their thousands of
appointees) the political tools Of the governor.
No qualification weighs SO heavily for appoint
ment thereon as that of subserviency to him. In
these unhappy municipalities the public moneys
are expended without the consent and participa-
ton OF the people, and against their interests and
desires
So gross are the outrages perpetrated by the
governors henchmen and their followers, that
the leading republican congressman from the
greatest city of the state felt moved recently by
very shame, to declare that five thousand vot-
ers representing the worst element in politics in
that city, practically dictated to the sixty thou
sand who believe in clean and wholesome meth
ods." The dearest rights of the people have been
wrested from them to uphold and strengthen
despotism such as had never been dreamed OF
in this land of liberty. AL this has been re-
morselessly done by one who, before he was
elected to the governorship, proclaimed from
the state house steps that "if there was anything
sacred to the American people it was local self
government.
The democratic party has ever opposed CEN
tralization in whatever shape it came; but the
unprecedented powers which have been consoli-
dated in the hands of the governor, even against
the protest Of the best elements OF his own party
and his fragrant abuse of those powers may well
alarm not the democracy alone, but all other
friends of popular government and we call upon
every citizen who fayors 'home rule to join us
in stamping out executive usurpation.
The disordered ambition which prompts the
governor of Ohio to grasp absolute control In the
cities, does not stop even there. He has gone far
ther, and prostituted the charitable 1nstltutlons
of the state to partisan uses, and has impaired
their efficiency to crafty personal malice Pure
and able men connected with their management,
though high in the councils of his own party.
have been ruthlessiy stricken down whenever
they refused to betray their trusts at the behest
OF their master, and to increase his oyergroWn
power by traficking in the misfortunes OF hui
manity
What then is to be done, my fellow country
men-and I again appeal to you regardless OF
party-what is to be done with this dangerous
autocrat2 1t may not belt cannot be-that the
people of Ohio will fail to dethrone him.
Turning from state to national affairs, the first
duty which confronts us is to discuss and educate
the people upon the reform OF the tariff This be-
ing the chief issue in federal politics, and our
present struggle in Ohio being the preliminary
skirmish to the general battle of 's2 it is proper
that we define our position and keep alive the agi-
tation We are accustomed to boast that our eoun-
try excels the world in natural resources; in agri
cultural and mineral wealth, and In adVanta=
geous location. We rejoice in vast area OF un-
occupied lands which offer cheap homes to all