Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-07

mlnistration) % prisoners have been pardoned
from the penirentiary. In the preceding four
years, which cover one administration, III pris-
0ners received pardons from that institution
These facts are also made known in order to re-
1ute certain misleading statements upon TINS
subject It is the opinion of those best IN
formed that board, with proper compensation
and powers. should exist for the purpose OF con-
sldering pardons, communications and reprIeves;
but such board ought not to be called Board
OF Pardons," which is q misnomer. Additional
restrictions could also be made, which would
prohibit frivolous applications for pardon. The
lime OF the present board is largely occupied
py cases which have no merit.
Legislation in Behalf of Labor.
The bill passed last April providing for free
public employment offices has proven to be a
great boon to the cause of labor. While it was
experimental in the beginning it is now an ap-
proved and evident success. Nothing OF the
kind had before been attempted. The nearest
approach to it is the intelligence office con-
Quoted by the French Government. 1t is ex-
ceedingly gratifying to know that the system
lnaugurated by your wise legislation mas
proven to be even more valuable than was an
ticlpated. There is nothing which the state
can better afford to do than to procure employ
mens Tor men and women who are Wiling 10
work. It is not only humane and charitable
Tor the State to be thus engaged, but 1t is pene-
ncial to society, and productive OF good order
There are some amendments TO the foregoing
efh cient and salutary. The State ought to pay
said Offices
The fact that they are paid by the cities sub
iects them IN certain manner to the influences
and control of the city government; whereas,
they should be State officers, paid by the State
only and responsible to the Commissioner OF
the Bureau of Labor Statistics. by whom they
are appointed. The term of office of the en-
ployes above named Should be fixed. Under
the existing law there is no definite tenure
Inc Commissioner ought to have the power to
remove any employe whom he may deem IN,
competent or dishonest. You have imposed
upon him, very properly, the power of ap-
polntment. He should for his own protection
and that of the State, be endowed with the
power of removal 1t Is not just to any officer
that he be made responsible for the acts of
tnose whom he can not remove.
The Sale of OIeomargarine.
The law of 1887 regulating the sale of oleo-
margarine has been strictly enforced by the
present Dairy and Food Commissioner, who is
a lifelong farmer, and capable. trustworthy
and infiexible official. The law of 1880 upon
the same subject he has attempted to enforce.
Ten arrests were made for violation of this law,
and all the cases were appealed. One of the
parties arrested has been discharged from Gus
tody upon habeas corpus proceedings before
the United States District Judge at Cincinnati,
who held that the sale of oleomargarine.
colored to initiate butter. cannot be prohibited
If the sale is confined to original packages
brought from another State The passage Of a
law by Congress putting imported oleomargar-
inc under the police power and control of the
State Is the only apparent means by which to
accomplish the object aimed at in the law
passed by you last March.
Within the last few years persons and corpor-
atlons engaged In various productive and man
ufacturing industries have combined together
In such way as practically to create number
of monopolies. The consolidation and combI-
nation of other large interests is rapidly going
on. There is widespread belief particularly
among the agricultural classes, that such com
binations are especially inimical to their inter-
ests, as well as menacing to the public veal.
Suits have been brought IN this State and some
others against combinations which are alleged
to be of this nature, to test their legality These
facts lead to the belief that some authoritative
investigation should be made of what are CON-
monty known as trusts with view of ascer-
tanning whether they are of an unlawful ma
ture. and to what extent, if any. they are detri-
mental to the public good. It would be proper,
therefore, for you to take such steps as may be
deemed adequate to discover and make public
the character, effect and legal status of such
combinations so far as they exist In or affect
the people of the State of Ohio.