Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-01-07
GOVERNOR cAMpnKlL.s MESSAGE
To the OHIO Legislature Problem of
Municipal Reform.

GOVERNOR CAMPBElI's MESSAGE
To the OHIO Legislature Problem of
Municipal Reform.
Following are extracts from the mes
sage Of Governor Campbell To the Ohio
Legislature, which convened in regular
session yesterday: 1.-The receipts of the
general revenue fund for the fiscal year
ending November -. 1891, as shown by
the report OF the Auditor OF State, will
aggregate about three million four hun
bred thousand dollars; but the expcndi
lures for the same period, provided the
estimates filed be fully appropriated for,
would exceed four million dollars. The
mere statement of this fact is sufficient
70 show that the estimates referred To
must be greatly diminished when APP
prOpriatiOnS are made. The diSburSe-
mentS from this fund during the last
year were less than three and one-hali
millions of dollars, Including one hun
dred and eighty thousand dollars OF de-
hciency, and ninety thousand dollars
FOR advertising the constitutional
amendments, which came over for pay
ment from the preceding year. The
should be carefully Scrutinized. SINH
lar proposed increases have to be met
and disposed of annually; and the neceS-
Sary curtailment of the desired appro-
priatiOnS will require the prudence
which YOU exercised SO commercially
during the last regular session.
The enormous amount of legislation
annually enacted for the cities of the
State. particularly in the way of local
and special laws, clearly shows that
radical change is necessary in our Sys-
ten OF municipal government. Munich
pal reform is great and absorbing
question everywhere; but nowhere
more than in Ohio. where ii has become
customary 10 patch city governments
with legislative enactments designed to
correct real or imaginary grievances.
This form of relief has proven 20 be
either temporary in its nature or pro-
ductive Of greater Ills than those which
il was intended TO cure. The time has
arrived for complete change OF pro-
gramme. \ system must bee devised
which shall end legislative tampering
with local affairs OF cities. \ problem
coufrOuts YOU whose consideration can
no longer be postponed. The true sOlu-
tion would seem to be in provision
whereby cities may govern themselves
without interference from any outside
authority. IN other words, each city
should model It's own government, pro-
vidcd. only. that 10 conform 10 the con-
,titution. and 10 those general laws
which must necessarily have the same
character throughout the State.
Tor those cities remaining under leg
isldtivc control. Uniform system. upon
the federal plan. would doubtless prove
comparatively satisfactory. In some
elite. the people are So anxious 90 change
their fOrm of government that they may
object Co awaiting the approval OF "A
constitutional amendment by the clec-
tors Of the State. For instance, the
citizens of Cincinnati are demanding
changes boz their government in which
thc people OF the entire State lhaving
had their attention recently directed 90
that cityl most heartily concur. Many
citizens % Cleveland aver that their
affairs are badly managed. aud they viii
probably come before you urging the
adoption OF "a new form of government
FOR that city. The same may be said, IN
"a modified degree. Of Columbus and other
cities. While some OF them doubtless
ueed speedy relief yet u should be-
borne Boo miud that nothing cen be done
which will bc permanent and SatiSiac-
Tory except Co relegate 10 the people ~
au cities unrestricted contrOl Of their
own affairs. This can PROFESSIONALLY
be accomplished by the adoption Of
constitutional amendment. and by that
alone. such an amendment would for
ever prevent what is graphically termed
ripper legi>lat.Uu;' and the present
general assembly ought not 10 adjourn
without making provision for submit
TIM the Same 10 the people.
Tie Governor urges the enactment OF
compulsory primary election law. lie
SAYS: The root of bad government in
cities vii be found in the manner Of
nominating candidates FOR Office. Were
an municipal nominations required by
law 10 bee made AT a primary election,
and were all electors DISTINGUISHED who
failed TO vote At such primary, unless
sufficient legal excuse be given, then
political nominations would represent
average public sentiment, and not the
decree OF I packed or purchased caucus.
With the Australian ballot for general
elections, and an equally well guarded
law .inriuding and compulOry clause
for the government Of primary elections,
and with partisan State county and
city election boards. the people OF Ohio
would have an election system more
nearly perfect than that now known In
any country. and one which would
Thoroughly satisfy all persons who de-
sire fair nominations and free EXPIRES
sion of public sentiment AT the polls.
In regard TO taxation he says;
some means should be devised TO
equali,e tayation. The farmers, upon
whom the burden seems at present TO
| fall most heavily, justly complain that
their lands depreciate, while their in
comes decrease. Under these conditions
IL is a hardship for them to pay the
taxes nov assessed; and it is earnestly
hoped that thG genera assembly may
bo able to afford some relief, although
complete equity In taxation is lmpoSSl-
BILE without change IN the constitution.
/ When details of taxation come up for
consideration, il would be wise to pre-
vent against the accumulation OF great
sums In county treasures. Public mon
evs should, under absolute safeguards,
be left in banks, or other depOSitarieS,
and not withdrawn from circulation.
Much extravaganza exists in levying
assessments for real, or alleged street
improvements, and for other objects in
the larger cities. This often results In a
great Increase Of tayation upon certain
zeal es1a,a. OF GPoa the Yhele city With
out any comrensating 6aneat. Such r.
strictlons should be thrown around the
levying OF taxes, that. while public pro-
rreSs is not impedcd, yet additions to