Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1891-01-15
CAMPBELL'S MESSAGE.
SOME eoeD ADVICE TO THE LEG

SOME GoGD ADVICE TO THE LEG
IsLAToRs.
Following is a synopsis of the Gov
ernor's message to the Legislature last
week:
The receipts of the general revenue
fund for the year ending November l9,
will aggregate about $3,400, 900, but the
expenditures will amount to S4,OO0,0O0.
Appropriations must be curtailed.
A radical change is necessary in our
system of municipal Government. 1t is
the great, absorbing question. The con-
sideratiOn of the problem can no longer
be postponed. The true solution would
seem to be in provision whereby cities
may govern themselves without inter
ference from any outside authority.
Each city should model its own govern
ment, conforming it to the constitution.
To do this would require an amendment
| to the constitution which could readily
| be submitted to the people for their ap
proval at the election of next November.
| This amendment ought to be so con-
structed as to enable the people of any
city to call charter Convention upon a
plan similar to the Constitutional Con-
vention which the people of the State
have right to hold every twenty years.
Such Convention could construct a
charter, which, upon submission to, and
approval by, popular vote would be-
come the fundamental law of the city.
In some cities the people are so anxious
to change their form of government that
they object to awaiting the approval of
constitutional amendment by the
electors of the State. Such an amend
ment would forever prevent what is
graphically termed ripper legislation" :"
In the present temper of the people of
Ohio there is little doubt but that a con-
stitutional amendment would be carried
overwhelmingly.
1t is to be hoped that the Legislature
will pass the "Australian ballot law"
In addition to this reform a compulsory
primary election law is needed. Were
all municipal nominations required by
law to be made at a primary election,
and were all electors disfranchised who
failed to vote at such primary unless
sufficient legal excuse be given, then
! NOulu iCplCOClt
average public sentiment, and not the
decree of packed or purchased caucus
With the Australian ballot for general
elections, and an equally unguarded law
| Including compulsory clause for the
government of primary elections, and
with non partisan State, county and city
election boards, the people of Ohio would
have an electoral system more nearly
perfect than that now known in any
country, and one which would thor
oughly satisfy all persons who desire
fair nominations, and free expression of
public sentiment at the polls.
The various penal. refOrmatory and
! benevolent institutions of the State are
in an excellent financial condition.
A site has been selected for an epilep-
tic asylum, and speedy action should be
taken toward its erection.
Taxation should be equalized. The
farmers justly complain that their lands
| depreciate, and their incomes decrease,
while the burden of taxation falls on
them.
Much extravaganza exists in levying
assessments for real, or alleged, street
improvements, and other objects. 1t
often results in a large increase of taxa
tion upon certain real estate, or upon
the whole city.
A large and respectable element of
our population demands a revhion of
official fees and salaries, with view of
decreasing those which are exorbitant
This request is reasonable, and entitled
to consideration.
The bill passed last April, providing
for free public employment offices has
proven to be great boon to the cause
of labor.
Something should be done to reduce
the price of school books.
Trusts should be inquired into, and
their effect upon the people.
A commission should be authorized
to prepare monuments for the Chicka-
mauga battlefield.
The State should make creditable
showing at the Worlds Farir. A COM
mittee to make arrangements should be
appointed.
A permanent camping gronnd for the
National Guard should be provided.
ASK YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT IT /