The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-01-17

made in the election laws; notably that OF talk
ing from the Governor the power to appoint
city election boards and clerks. The great re-
form, however, which would have served 10 pu-
rify the elections OF the State, and to have ele-
vated the elective franchise, failed OF passage
because OF nm insufficient vote in tho Senate
The reform referred TO ia that commonly termed
The Australian Ballot Law" II is to be hoped
that the General Assembly, especially those
members Of the Senate belonging to tho politl-
cal party in the minority, will not obstruct the
progress of this REFORM which is indorsed by
their political associates in every other State
The argument in favor OF this measure. which
was mndo in the Inaugural address delivered
you one yenr ago, need not be repeated hore
The experience OF the past year has aided
weight and cogenoy to II; and has strengthened
the belief that bribery and intimidation will
practically disappear when this system OF bal
ioting is adopted. There is no reason to delay
the passage OF such measure but should the
General Assembly desire TO partially test II be-
fore It's universal adoption, 1t might first be
tried In cities whore registration exists. Tho
change In tho registration law which requires
electors in the smaller cities to register hut
once in four years has worked advRntageously,
and leads 10 the suggestion that thii -orm OF
registration be extended to every municipality
having more than five thousand people at the
last federal census
COMPULSORY PRIMARY ELECTION LAW.
In addition TO the foregoing reform you are
earnestly urged to enact compulsory primary
election law. Tho root of bad government in
cities will be found In the manner OF nominating
candidates for office. nWere all municipal nomi-
nations required by law to be made at n primary
election, and were all electors disfranchsed
who failed to vote at such primary, unless a suf-
hcient legal excuse could be given, then political
nominations would represent average public
sentiment and not the decree OF a packed or
purchased caucus. With the Australian ballot
Tor general elections, and an equally well
guarded law Qncludng o compulsory clause) for
the government OF primary elections, and with
non-partisan State, county and city election
boards, the people OF Ohio would have cleo
tion system more nearly perfect than that now
known in any country; and one which would
thoroughly satisfy all persons who desire fair
nominations, and free expression Of public SEN
tment at the polls.
STATE INSTITUTIONS.
The various penal reformatory and benevo.
lent institutions of the State are in an excel
lent financial condition, and their inmates are
being cared for IN q manner that entities their
management to your approval. Reference
is made to the recently filed annual reports OF
each.
The Penitentiary, which was under the con.
troll OF the present administration for six
months prior to the close of the fiscal year, was
carried on that time during profit.
In the intermediate Penitentiary such pro-
gress has been made that fifty men can safely
be confined there. Their labor would be utilized
upon the grounds and in completing the build
ings. 1t would seem advisable to push this
work as rapidly as the finances OF the State
will permit, and to provide for the transfer
there Of some Of the younger and less hardened
convcts.
The Soldiers and Sailors Orphans Home,
where thirty-eight deaths occurred during the
FIVE months preceding the change OF admins
tration, has had but three deaths during the
ten months in which II has been under the
present management. The large approprla-
tions which you made last year have enabled
the new and efficient board of trustees, and the
admirable superintendent, financial officer and
matron, to make improvements so great that
the change appears TO be almost magical
Were you to visit the children gathered there,
and see the health conteDtment and happiness
which is visible everywhere you would rejoice
as citizens and legislators at the part you play
ed in producing such results. 1t is hoped that,
in spite of the necessary pruning OF appropri-
ations for the current year, this institution may
fare well. No money. spent by the State is
producing more satisfactory results than that
invested there.
At the Ohio Soldiers and Sailors Home the
cottages finished and furnished are all upon
the ward plan. Action has been taken by the
Grand Army of the Republic, and the Wcmans
Relief Corps, looking to the completion OF one
cottage upon the single room plan for the ac-
commodation of INDECENT or disabled ex-soldiers
and sailors who may desire to have their wives
with them. In many cases the enforce separ-
alton of husband and wife has resulted in lenv-
ing the wife in destitution, or has compelled
her to become an inmate of an inflrmary. There
are, doubtless, enough cases of this kind hav-
ing real merit to justify the completion of one
cottage in the manner desired.
A site has been selected for an epileptic asy
lum, and speedy action should be taken to-
wards It's erection. A plan of treatment pro-
posed to be adopted therein has attracted the
attention of experts, and others all over the
country. Nothing of this character has yet
been attempted upon this side of the Atlantic
Ocean; and the General Assembly of Ohio has
received gratifying Commendation from the
highest sources for its action in thus providing
for the epeptic and the epileptic insane.
The Trustees of Longview Asylum complain
that the State is not bearing its full share OF
the financial burdens OF that institution. This
complaint should be investigated, and justice
done
In the Judgment of those who desire to see
the State institutions. particularly those of a
benevolent nature, entirely taken out of the
range OF political or other improper influences,
the time has come when they should be ruled
by non.partsan boards 1t is, therefore, sug-
gested and recommended that the Board of
Trustees for every institution of the State be
increased from five persons to six, and that the
appointment of more than three members of
any board from one political party be prohib
tied.
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
The Ohio State University is worthy of your
fostering care. Through the liberality of the
Federal Government it has received fifteen
Thousand collars during the past year, and will
receive IN annually increased amount until the
sum reaches twenty-five thousand dollars per
year. The act npproprinting said fund requires
legislative assent and acceptance by the States.
The University has made notable progress and,
through your generous. although somewhat
fitful aid it has become credit to the State
The number OF students now crowds its capaci-
ty and they are in need OF increased facilities.
1t is mortifying to admit that in the encourage
ment of higher education, Ohio stands twenty
sixth upon the list of States Some effort ought
to be made TO elevate the State to its proper
rank in that respect. A permanent and uni
form income, large enough to stimulate healthy
growth, is the most effective aid Many of the
States have provided this through n fund de.
rived from the addition Of fractional part of II
mill to the tax duplicate. While the general
taxation of the State ought not TO be increased,
many persons are Of the opinion that small
special tax for the benefit of this University is
n burden which the people would bear cheer
fully for the sake of education and advance
ment. You might therefore very properly in
Quire whether the National gift ought not to be
suppem ented by permanent fund of such a
character
TAXATION.
Some meaps should be devised to equalze
taxation The farmers, upon whom the burden
seems at present to fall most heavily, Justly
complain that their lands depreciate, while
their incomes decrease Under these condi-
tions it is hardship for them to pay the taxes
now assessed and it is earnestly hoped that
the General Assembly may be able to afford
some relief although complete equity in tax
alton is impossible without n change in the