Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-10-14
0hio's Legislature Assembled to Con-
slider the Cincinnati Scandal.
PEARL DIGGING IN WISCONSIN.
English Gunboats Defy Portugal
and Enter the Zambesi.
A PROPOSED CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY.
CINCINNATPS SCANDAL.
Gov. CampbelPs Special Message to the
Ohio Legislature.

COLUMBUS, ONO. Oct l4.-The general as
sembly of Ohio convened in special session to-
day and received a message from Gov Camp
bell in regard to the charges against public
officials in Cincinnati and the necessity for a
change in the method of their selection. Gov.
Campbell says:
The extraordinary power Of calling special
session of your honorable body has been in
voked on account OF the deplorable condition
OF public affairs in the city OF Cincinnati
which. it is believed. can be partially remedied
by enabling the people of that city to choose
certain important boards at the approaching
November election.
1T is almost unnecessary" he continues s. 'to
recite the corrupt Practices which have ex-
listed IN the city Of Cincinnati. Members of
public bodies have trafficked N their own votes
without shame and with small pretense of con-
ccalment. A suit between alleged bribo-takers
Is pending in court for an equal division of
booty, and honor among thieves has been
forgotten in the fierce struggle TO despoil the
people. With few honorable exceptions the
entire public service is demoralized"
He refers to the fact that in his inaugural ad-
dress last January he had recommended q
charter for Cincinnati which would give the
people of that city an opportunity 70 select
their own officials and manage their own af-
fairs. Some legislation in that direction was
enacted, but it was wholly inadequate TO meet
the case. He continues:
TWO RECREASr BOARDS.
The present board fof public improve
ments) entered upon its duties under favorable
auspices. Although it was soon subjected to
criticism (much of it unjust) for its manage
ment OF the water works it was. in the main,
well meaning and honestly conducted body.
Later. however, lit retrograded rapidly. Certain
members voted to grant valuable franchises in
such unseemly haste, and so clearly in VIOLA
ton OF public interest. that the people began
to suspect their integrity. These suspicious
have since become more firmly fixed"
The governor goes on to speak more at
length of the lack OF public confidence in the
board. Regarding the deccnnial board of
equalization be says: ut is quito certain that
some of the members have unsavory reputa-
tions ip connection with other tax matters, and
that the board does not inspire confidence II
begins its career amid a storm of public in
dignation.
ABOLISH BOTH BOARDS.
Both Of these boards should be abolished.
Their creation by appointment was but depriv-
ing the people Of their rights. The boards
themselves are failures Nothing remains bu,
to undo that which has already been done. Let
the law-making power and the appointing
power confess their mistakes and join hands to
rectIfy them. Restore to the people in time
for the approaching November election the
power of choosing successors to these
boards. In the aroused state of public feeling.
growing out OF recent exposures. the people OF
Cincinnati may be depended upon to elect capa-
BILE and trustworthy officers.
The legislature convened at 10 an, and,
after the reading OF the call, joint committee
waited upon the governor, who submitted his
message, which was read. referred to the Judi
ciary committee and a recess was taken to 2:3o
pm.