Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1890-01-18
TO the General AssemJiy.

TO the General Assembly:
1t assumed that the outgoing Governor in
his annual message accurately informed you
OF tho financial condition OF tho State; and, in
other respects, fully discharged his constitu-
tional obligations. Tho duty involving on the
incoming Governor, therefore, is to supple
ment the annual message by such suggestions
as may, to him, seem pertinent.
HOME RULE.
In compliance with this duty your attention
is directed to various laws, passed in recent
years. enarging the authority of the chief
ecutivc. He has been empowered thereby TO
appoint boards which control TO large ex-
tent, the government and expenditures of GER
tain cities. This was deemed so cleur q viola
tion OF the right of self-govcrnment that one OF
the political parties embodied In its last plat
form the following declarations: I'VE demand
the enactment OF laws that will enable our
cities TO choose their own servants. and control
their own affairs" Tho people OF Ohio, Mt the
subsequent election, approved that sentiment
1t is the duty of the General Assembly to obey
their mandate. and to restore home rule to all
cities rs speedily as may be done without hasty
or inconsiderate legislation. It is not neces-
sary to recite the many cogent reasons which
prompted the people 10 this action. 1t is suni-
cient to know that they have so decreed.
THE CITY OF CINCINNATI.
The perplexing problem confronting you Is to
decide what form OF government to substitute
in tho city OF Cincinnati for that now enforced,
which has proven faulty in many respects other
than those arising from gubernatorial interfer
ence. In that city exist endless divisions OF au-
thority, and consequent lack of responsibility,
resulting, naturally, in ext-avagant and incompe-
tent rule. Apparently no attempt has been
made to construct homogeneous form of gov
ernment Ofices and boards have been created
by patchwork, from year TO year, until they ag-
gregate more than score OF independent de-
partments They are appointed ut hap-hazard
that
or by council This lack OF system has unavoid-
ably lead to confusion and mismanagcment. In
Justice to the people OF that city, us well rs in
furtherance OF sound political principles. you
should carefully consider, mature and formulate
charter which will give them an opportunity
to manage their affairs through officers chosen
solely by themselves. 1t may not be convenient
or even possible, TO operate nn entirely new
form OF government there until the April cleo
tion OF 1891; but In event OF such delay prompt
action should bc taken TO correct the grosser
defects OF the existing government Some i'm.
mediate changes arc absolutely needed and the
following are cited as instances: The board of
equalization body liable TO scandal and cor
ruption, should be abolished. and rc.crcated in
such manner as 10 invite and deserve public
confidence. The board of work house directors,
heretofore accused OF releasing prisoners from
improper motives, can be spared without injury.
and It's duties added to the police commission.
The discharge OF work house prisoners before
the termination OF their sentences should be
prohibited unless such release be approved by
the judge and prosecuting attorney Of tho po-
lice court
The Board OF Public Affairs, now on appoint.
I've board, should be so constituted that here
after, one member can be elected by the people
overy year. The membership OF the Board OF
Revision should bo radically changed, and n
non-partisan board OF high character substi-
tuted With the foregoing improvements, and
such others as your wisdom may suggest for
present notion, the city of Cincinnati might get
along passably well until a comprehensive re-
vision OF the laws can be adopted.
Two plans of reorganization meet with more
or less favor among the people OF that city and
both should be thoroughly studied and digcsted
before you take the final action.
There is but little doubt that under the quick
ened public spirit aroused by existing condi.
tions, the people OF Cincinnati would rise to the
occasion, and govern themselves in n better and
more honest manner than can possibly be at
tanned by the interference of any outside
authority, however conscientiously exercised
Its worth trial to give them control OF their
municipal affairs Not to do so is to confess
that local self-govenment is u failure.
OTHER CITIES.
While considering what ought to be done for
that city, you should investigate tho whole sub
ject Of municipal reform, with view OF con-
ferring upon other cities OF the State such
changes as may be salutary. 1t is your duty to
afford speedy relief to those which are subject.
In any respect, to gubernatorial control
ELECTION LAWS.
1t well to remember that no reform in gov
ernment, municipal or otherwise can be success
full unless every elector is secured free, Sc
cret untrammeled and unpurchased ballot
which shall be honestly counted and returned.
Improvements have been made In our election
laws during the last few years. yet all OF the
legislation upon that subject has not been COM
mendable. The establishment OF non-partisan
election boards was u step in the right dlrec.
tion; but deprlving them OF the right TO ap-
point their clerks was a step In the wrong di.
rection There has been also some obvious
omissions to improve the election laws-for in.
stance, the failure TO provide that tho two
clerks OF election in each voting precinct must
be OF opposite political. Affiliations. Nothing
that has proven beneficial should DO undone,
but additional enactments are needed. Our
election laws are far from perfect and those
who profess to believe that they are not eapa.
BILE OF amendment have failed to study the
great reforms made In other States.
BALLOT REFORM.
The system of ballot reform commonly called
the Australian System" has been successfully
adopted. in varying forms, by eighty.
five millions OF people. 1t has been
tried Ave years in Norway, seven In En-.
gland and Italy twelve In Belgium. fourteen in
Canada and thirty In Australia II has been
adopted. with sundry notifications. In Massa.
cnusettH, hhoue isiahu. inuiaha, Niscohslh,Mis-
issippi Tennessee, Missouri, Montana Michigan,
Connecticut and part OF Kentucky. One OF the
most thorough trials OF the system was at the re-
cent election In Massachusetts. The late Gov
ernor OF that State testiiles In print that mo
one would seriously consider the repeal of this
election law and consequent return to the old
election methods. Men OF all shade OF political
opinion agree that the measure has worked
well, and that II Is permanent part OF the stat
utes of Massachusetts. In its main principles,
At Is beyond criticism" Tho United States
Marshal belonging TO a political party In oppo-
sition TO the Governor, has written
the following; Let mo say thae the