Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-07
THE AFFAIRS In OHIO.
Governor Campbell Sends to the
Legislature His Message.
He ASKS HOME RULE FOR CITIES.
The Australian Ballot and Primary Elec-
tions Are Favored.
QUESTIONS OF LABOR AND CAPITAL


message was sent to the Legislature at
o'clock this afternoon. Among other things
he says:
Inc enormous amount Of legislation annual
ly enacted for the cities of the State, particu-
larly in the way of local and special laws. clear
ly shows that a radical change is necessary in
our system of municipal government. Munich
pal reform Is great and absorbing question
everywhere; but nowhere more than in Ohio.
where 1t has become customary to patch city
governments with legislative enactments de-
signed to correct real or imaginary grievances.
This form of relief has proven to be either tenn
porary in its nature, or productive Of greater
| Ills than those which it was intended to cure.
Ihe time has arrived for o complete change of
programme. A system must be divised which
shall end legislative tampering with local af-
fairs OF cities. problem confronts you whose
consideration can no longer be po stponed. The
true solution wou Id seem to be IN a provision
whereby cities may govern tn emselves without
interference from any outside authority.
In other words, each city should model its
own government, provided. only, that it con-
form to the Constitution. and to those general
| laws which must necessarily have the same
character throughout the State. To do this
would require an amendment to the Constitu-
ton which could readily be submitted to the
people for their approval at the election of
next November. This amendment ought to
ne SO constructed as to enable the people of
| any city to call a charter convention upon
plan similar to the Constitutional convention
which the people of the State have right to
hold every 20 years. Such convention could
construct charter, which. upon submission to,
and approval by, popular vote would become
the fundamental law of the city. 1t could not
nedar De arterea' req amended, or abrogated except
same careful consideration with which it was
created. The people of the cities which
adopted charters would then be compelled to
| rely wholly upon themselves for good local
government. Such self-reliance would naturally
| arouse them to vigorous action. when they
% can no longer sit suplnely waiting for the
their benent they will reform and purify their
municipal affairs.
For the Australian Ballot Law.
During the last regular session of the Gen.
| eral Assembly some commendable changes
were made in the election laws; notably that of
| taking from the Governor the power to appoint
city election boards and clerks. The great re-
| form. however, which would have served to
purify the elections of the State. and to have
elevated the elective franchise. failed of pass
| age because of an insufficient vote in the
Senate. The reform referred to is that COM
monty termed ''The Australian Ballot Law
| 1t is to be hoped that the General Assembly,
| especially those members of the Senate be-
longing to the political party in the minority,
Will not obstruct the progress of the reform.
which is indorsed by their political associates
in every other State. The argument in favor
| of this measure, which was made in the in
augural address delivered you one year ago
need not be repeated here The experience of
| the past year has added weight and cogency to
| to it; and has strengthened the belief that
| bribery and intimidation will practically dis
| appear when this system of balloting is
| adopted
In addition to the foregoing reform you are
earnestly urged to enact a compulsory primary
election law. The root of bad government in
ing candidates for office. Were all municipal
nominations required by law to be made at a
primary election, and were all electors disfrsn-
chlsed who failed to vote at such primary un-
less sufficient legal excuse be given. then po-
ntical nominations would represent average
public sentiment. and not the decree of a
packed or purchased caucus With the Aus
trallan ballot foe general elections. and an
equally well-guarded law (including a compul-
sorry 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 thoroughly satisfy all per-
sons who desire fair nominations and free ex-
preston of public sentiment at the polls.
The Equalization of Taxation.
Some means should be devised to equalize
taxation. The farmers, upon whom the bur-
den seems at present to fan 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 taxa
tion is impossible without a change in the Con-
stitution. When details of taxation come up
for consideration 1t would be wise to provide
| agains. the accumulation of great sums in
county treasures. Public moneys should un.
der absolute safeguards. be left in banks or
| o:her depositaries, and not Withdrawn from
| circulation.
Much extravagance exists in levying assess
ments for real, or alleged street improvements
and for other objects in the larger cities. This
often results in great increase of taxation
upon certain real estate, or upon the whole
| city, without any compensating benefit Such
| restrictions should be thrown around the levy
| ing of taxes that, while public progress is not
| impeded, yet additions TO the tax duplicate, of
| a merely speculative, or unnecessary, nature
would be prohibited.
A large and respectable element of our popu-
lation demands revision of official fees and
salaries with a view of decreasing those which
are exorbitant. This request Is reasonable.
and entitled to consideration. Public officers
ought to be fully compensated for their labor
and ability; but such compensation should not
be excessive, nor out of proportion to similar
services rendered IN private life. An investi.
cation of this subject would doubtless lead to
reduction and equalization in official emolu-
ments.
Canal Land Become Valuable.
Inc DeneI LnaI gas ana OIL can be found
under the lands belonging to the State some of
which are covered by water, has added largely
to their value. The Canal Commission, ap-
pointed in pursuance of the act passed by YOU
last winter, has been discharging its duties
with regard to canal lands in the most praise.
worthy manner and has recovered in less than
one year, lands appraised at over sl30 0OO For
Its encouragement, as well as vindication from
certain unwarranted aspersions. 1t is suggested
sx,xra IA nr1d
actions In this connection 1t would be well
enough. also, to investigate the Board of Pub
lie Works. and ascertain what it has done with
regard to canal lands, as well as the general
management of its affairs.
There are no functions of the State govern
ment upon which there seems to be SO much
public misinformation as upon those of pardon
and parole. Much printed criticism has been
INDUCED in. Persons who write such criticisms
are often ignorant of the fact that pardoning
and paroling are separate powers. conferred
upon different and distinct boards; or are un-
able to distinguish the difference between a
parole and pardon.
The Board of Pardons is composed of four
persons and is non-partisan. 1t was somewhat
demoralized last winter, owing to an investiga-
tion pending when the present State admins
tration came into power: but was subsequently
reorganized and is now working harmoniouslY
and effectively in the discharge of its duties,
Not as Bad as Others.
The Board of Paroles is comprised of the
managers of the penitentiary. The impression
has been created that the present board is ex-
ercising its prerogat1ve in a more free and in
discriminate manner than has been the habit of
its predecessors. 1t is, therefore, proper to
state that prior to the first day of last Novem-
Der 1.-THE end OF the year,, the present board had
been in office precisely six months; that during