Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-10-16
THE CINCINNATI MIDDLE.
Governor Campbelrs Firm Message to the
acknowledgements Deadlock.

Northumberland Deadlock.
The message submitted to the Legis-
lature on Tuesday by Governor Camp
bell and which was read in both branches
is as follows:
The extraordinary power of calling
special session of your honorable body
has been invoked on account of the de-
plorable condition of public affairs in
the city of Cincinnati, which, it is be-
lieved, can be partially remedied by en-
abling the people of that city to choose
certain important boards at the approach
ing November election. The time for
beginning the work of official reform
there has come and for this laudible
purpose you are asked to submit TO tenn
porary inconvenience. The legislation
proposed is so simple. and obviously so
Just, that it is hoped you may be able
speedily to resume your customary pur-
suits.
1t is almost unnecessary to recite the
corrupt practices which have existed in
the CITY of Cincinnati. Members of pub
lie bodies have traflicked in their own
votes without shame and with small pre-.
tence of conceslment. A suit between
alleged brioe-takers is pending in court
for an equal division of booty, and
"honor among thieves" has been for
gotten in the fierce struggle to despoil
the people. With few honorable ex-
ceptions the entire public service is de-
mOralized.
In the inaugural address delivered to
you last January you were advised that
ain Justice to the people of that city, as
well as in furtherance of sound political
principles, you should carefully consider,
mature, aud formulate a charter which
would give them an opportunity TO man
age their own affairs through officers
chosen by themselves" This recon-
mendation is earnestly renewed. AT your
next session it is hoped an improved
charter will be granted that city.
The legislation enacted by you look
ing to changes in the government Of
Cincinnati merely created the Board Of
Public improvements and the Decennial
Board of Equalization. In both cases,
however, you omitted to pro wide that
the people should choose these very
important bodies, although a majority
of each house in the General Assembly
was elected upon platform which de-
cares that "we demand the enactment
of laws that will enable our cities TO
choose their own servants.
The Board of Public Improvements
thus created was clothed with substan-
| tally the same powers as its predeces-
/ sors. The only improvement in Its con-
struction was provision that the mem
beers, although originally appointed by
the Governor, should be subsequently
elected by the people. This advantage
was offset by the failure to empower the
| Governor to remove his appointees
should they prove to be inefficient or
dishonest. 4 change for the worse was
a provision that three members in
stead OF four could transact bust
ness, thus enabling them to unite and
control public affairs. The present
board catered upon its duties under
favorable auspices. Although it was
soon subjected to criticism (much of it
unjust) for its management of the water
works, il was, in the main, well-mean-
ing and honestly-conducted body. Later,
however, it refrigerated rapidly. Ger
| tain members voted 10 grant valuable
franchises in such unseemly haste, and
so clearly in violation OF public interest
that the people began to suspect their ip-
/ tegrity. These suspicious have siuce be-
come more firmly fixed. As early as Sep
| TENDER 4th leading newspaper of the
city, representing the political party to
which a majority of the board adhered,
when speaking of IN important fran
chise which had been granted (although
parties stood ready to pay the city hand
somely for such franchise) said that il
bore evidence OF fraudulent intent to
be used for the purpose of matchmaking
existing corporations. >" Again, on Sep
tember 18th, the same newspaper said :
THUS would the city grant franchise
OF inestimable value for mess OF pot
tage, with the privilege OF one year in
which to negotiate its sale to gang oil
eastern people who have reduced to a
science the raiding of legitimate enter
prises."
The newspapers Of opposite political
views have been equally unsparing and
more continuous in their denunciationa
Popular confidence in the board is gone,
although, through persons interested IN
Its enormous patronage, an attempt may
be made TO deceive the General Assem-
bly,. The people of Cincinnati who are
not personally interested in the board OF
its employees are practically unanimous
in the belief that some OF its mem
bers were parties to corrupt propo-
sitions which have been made to per-
sons having business before the beard.