The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1891-01-07
THE OHIO LEGISLATURE.

Governor Campbell Sends an Able Mes
sage to the Legislature--.He Recon-
mends Municipal Reform and Ballot
Reform---A Revision Of the Fee System
For County oHoers---A Highly Inter-
esting Document.
COLUMBUS, Jan. 6.-The Governors
message will be read to both houses of
the General Assembly at o'clock this
afternoon. The members are arriving
rapidly on every incoming train and a
quorum will probably be present when
the Assembly convenes. The following is
summary of the Governors message:
The receipts of the general revenue fund
for the fiscal year ending November 10,
1891, as shown by the report Of the Auditor
OF State, will aggregate about three mil
lion four hundred thousand dollars but
the expenditures for the same period,
provided the estimate filed be fully APP
propriated for would exceed four millions
Of dollars.
The Governor recommends that the
estimates be carefully scrutinized and
cut down.
MUNICIPAL REFORM.
The Governor strongly advocates mum
icipal REFORM that the Legislature quit
tampering with the government of our
cities and that the constitution be amended
so as TO allow each city to be governed by
a municipal code, adopted by popular
vote. The Governor says:
| "Such an amendment would forever
prevent what is graphically termed rip
| per Legislation; : and the present General
| Assemble ought not to adjourn without
making some provision for submitting
the same to the people. Should the cities
generally avil themselves of its provisions
the work of the General Assembly would
| be greatly decreased, for il Is safe to say
that more than one-half of your time is
now consumed in legislation that would
| become Unnecessary
| BALLoT REFORM.
The Governor strongly recommends
ballot reform, and scores the Republicans
in the Senate for defeating it at the last
session. He says, in advocating the Aus
tralian secret ballot system:
"The experience of the past year has
added weight and cogency TO il; and has
strengthened the belief that bribery and
intimidation will practically disappear
| when this system of balloting is adopted.
| There is no reason to delay the passage
of such a measure, but should the Gen.
4 eral Assembly desire TO partially test il
before its universal adoption, IL might
first be tried in cities where registration
exists.n
OUR STATE INSTITUTIONS.
The Governor commends the manage,
ment of our State institutions, and
especially mentions the Soldiers Or
phans' Home in Yenia. He says:
"The Soldiers and Orphans Home
where thirty-eight deaths occurred during
the five months preceding the change oi
administration, has had but three deaths
during the ten months in which II has
been under the present management. Tht
large appropriations which you made las
year have enabled the new and efficien
Board of Trustees, and the admirable
superintendent, financial officer ant
matron, to make improvements SO grea
that the change appears to be almos
magical"
TAXATION OF FARMERS.
On the equalization of taxation th
Governor says:
"Some means should be devised I,
equalize taxation. The farmers, upol
whom the burden seems at present to fal
most heavily, justly complain that thei
. crease. Under these conditions 1t is
: hardship for them to pay the taxes nov
assessed and IT earneftly hoped that tn
: General Assembly may be able to affor
= some relief, although complete equity Il
taxation is impossible without chang
In the constitution. When details of taxa
ton come up for consideration, il woul
be wise to provide against the accumuli
ton of great sums in county treasures
), Public moneys should, under absolut
safeguards, be left in banks, or other d'
! ! positories, and not withdrawn from eli
culation."
\ The Governor recommends the revisio
y Of our fee system to county officers, an
y a reduction where they are excessive.
y The Governor does not recommend I'll
:, abolition of the Board OF Pardons.
n The Governor does not endorse Il
Q plan to have the State print school book
. but he recommends that the legislatul
= provide for cheaper school books.
The Governor recommends radic
legislation to prevent the organization
trusts.
n The message is clean cut, courageol
d document, and gives but little space
l. details.
James T. Gott, Carmi, ILL.,, Says: