Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1890-07-17
Republican State Convention.

| SOA- -h44CA sDldlC
Chairman, called the Convention to or
der and introduced Governor Foraker,
the temporary chairman, who was greeted
by prolonged and loud cheers. Governor
Foraker delivered one of his character
istic speeches, in which he scorched the
Campbell administration, and made a
strong argument for the passage of the
Federal Election bill. He dwelt on 9th
er questions which will be issues in the
campaign, and presented incontroverti-
BILE arguments in favor of sole Republi-
can rule in Ohio. His speech was fire.
quently interrupted by enthusiastic ap-
plause.
For some reason our telegraphic dis
patch in regard to the permanent organ
ization did not reach US, but Governor
Foraker was probably chosen Permanent
Chairman, then the business proper of
the Convention was proceeded with, and
Hon. Daniel J. Ryan was nominated for
Secretary of State by aeclamation amid
the greatest demonstrations of approval.
The following is substantially the speech
of Secretary Ryan in accepting a re-
nomination for the Office of Secretary of
State:
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen of the Convention:
l thank you for this cordial reception,
and l am here to signify my gratitude
and pleasure in receiving this second
unanimous nomination from the Repub-
| lican party of Ohio. The position of
Secretary of State is an office of neither
political power nor personal leadership,
but through the recent legislation of the
Republican party it has grown to be the
most powerful contributor to the main
tenance of the State finances, and its va
riOus duties bring it in the closest con-
tact with the business interests of all the
people of the State. 1t is emphatically q
business office, and a report of my stew
ardship can give briefly, yet clearly.
During the past seventeen months, or
within my term, there has been paid to
the State of Ohio, through the office of
the Secretary of State, the sum of $685.
927, or more than $4,000 per month.
This means that the taxpayers have been
relieved in that amount from cOntribut-
ing to the support of the State.
| can assure you, gentlemen of the Con-
vention, that in all the heat and contro-
versy of the coming campaign, the official
record of the office of the Secretary will
be beyond the attack of even our most
critical opponents. 1 say this with the
absolute confidence of one who has done
his whole duty to all the citizens of Ohio
regardless Of politics.
Rnf opTaflpD1Qn tho nnactinr tn hQ do
cided this fall is much higher and more
far-re reaching than the election of State
officers. 1t involves the supremacy of
the Republican party in this State and
the disapproval of the present Democrat
ic administration in Ohio. / am not dis
posed to be harsh in my language or crit
icism, but | say advisedly that a more
hypocritical, or more imbecile adminiStra-
ton never controlled affairs in this State.
1t came into power on platform which
denounced Gov. Foraker's administra-
ton as the most partisan and eXtrava-
CANT in our history. Yet this Democrat
ic administration reOrganiZed the public
institutions of the State within sixty
days after Gov. Campbelps Inauguration
in the sole interest of the Democratic
party, and passed an appropriation bill
that exceeded by more than $500 600 the
my IiOo1 llCpuullCttu dpplOplldIlOll Dlil III
the history of this Stale And they talk
of extravaganza! Their hypocrisy did
not stop here. In its platform the Dem
Ocracy protested against the enactment
of laws vesting the appointing power in
the Governor, because it was said it ena-
bled him to control the local boards of
leading cities while depriving them of
self government. Yet, in the face of
the platform, on the strength of which
the Democracy secured votes and assist
ance, the last Democratic Legislature
passed more laws of the character de-
nOunced by their platform than was pass
ed by any other Legislature during the
history of the State. 1t was by such
shamefaced and hypocritical pretensions
as these the Democracy came into power
last year. They have failed to respond
in single instance to the demands of a
sentiment which they themselves helped
to create. In the whole history of poll |
ticS-State or National-I do not know
of more treacherous proceeding than |
the response of the Ohio Democracy, |
through its administration, to those who |
put them in power last fall.
| want to say few words on another |
subject that just now is receiving great |
deal of attention. l refer to the question |
of taxation. 1t gives me pleasure in this |
connection to state two political and his |
torical facts-facts that cannot begainsaid |
First, the last two Republican Legisla-
lures passed laws which reduced the |
amount to be paid by taxation by the cit
izens of Ohio in the sum of $2,500,000 |
annually. The second statement is-and |
challenge its contradiction by the record /
that the Democratic Legislature so far !
has failed to pass single piece of legis-
ton that takes from the shoulders of the
taxpayer one dollar of taxation or in any
degree hghtens the expenses of the State
government. On the contrary, [ charge |
this administration with defeating and /
suppreSSing laws that would lessen in
the burdens of taxation as we'll as
crease the revenue of the State The
Democratic party of Ohio in its man
agement of State affairs has been party
of high taxation. 1t has imposed through
the last Legislature more Indebtedness
upon the people than ever before. 1t
fixed upon the taxpayers of this State in
one session alone of its general assembly
local taxation of S5, ,9S3, 600, nearly $780,
600 in excess of the amount authorized
by any two sessions of former Legisla-
lures. The farmers, business men and
manufacturers of Ohio have justly been
complaining of excessive taxation for
years. The only answer the Democracy
of Ohio gives is an increase unequaled in
the history of the State This is not the
time nor the occasion to give detail of
the evils of the Democratic party in Ohio,
but shall leave that to the future If
wanted to summarize the Indictment
against the Democracy, would say that
it has disappointed public sentiment by
its imbecility and weakness and by its
failure to meet or solve any of the public
questions in State affairs. 1t has given
no relief to the taxpayer; neither has it
passed any law which will make his taxes
lighter, and in this feature it contrasts
unfavorably with the last Republican
Legislature. 1t has piled upon the tax
payer load of taxation, resulting from
local legislation, greater in amount than
that passed by any other General Assem-
bly,. 1t has debauched the public institu-
tions of the State by turning them over
ba ctrilyarc nF @ba oI |