The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1892-01-14

COUNTRY ROADS
good country roads This Is a subject of I'M n
portSnce not only to agriculturists, but Affects
every every material interest in the state, ant, is
ceiving very general attention throughout ether
states In the Union. I invite the attention OF
the legislature TO It with the object that scme
plan be devised, which, with the concurrence OF
the people, will lead TO the improvement of cur
public highways, SO that they will be services
country roads are almost impossible dur:1g
several months Of the year. They should bss
good the yeor. round for the safety and conven-
lence OF travel and transportation.
The consideration of this subject by the legiss-
lature would lead to discussion among the faiTn-
ers o. the state, which would furnish valuable
Suggestions to the legislature.
PROTECTION TO RAILROAD EMPLOYEES
Your attention is called to the Importance OF
protection Of railroad employees within the state.
Thelr service is OF the most hazardous charlc-
Yer, and railroads should be required 10 equip
their lines with every improvement calculated
to prevent accident
There are nearly 5000 persons employed by
serve the public with great danger to life and
health, and nothing. should be withheld from
them which legislation can do TO throw around
them every possible safeguard
Inc last report of the interstate comnlerco
tSmmssion tnt up to June 3d. 1891, shows thas in
and ., Ssl others were injured. 1t is believed
u ofdS e ang nTge p pereen,age Of this fearful Sacrifices
ment OF proper legislation.
THE CANALS.
What shall be done with the canals' Shall
they be abandoned or shall they be maintained
and improved Every year the ouestion bt--
comes more pressing.
Each annual controversy over appropriations
develops a stronger opposition than the pre-
ceding one. Both the friends and opponeats OF
the canals agree that the policy which has ore
Vaueu 1or some years past not continue
much longer. The canals have been proved
upon and allowed to go to ruin and now erpry
snogb snoEedng legislature Isl , refuses to approRat
The question does not involve appropriations
alone, but the modernization of public water
ways. Not only experts, but the public at large
have arrived at the conclusion that If the canais
are to be continued, there must be some we'll
matured plan for their improvement in the in
terest OF cheap and better transportation.
Throughout the whole country there is at this
Time unusual attention being paid to the general
suplect OF waterways. An increased activity in
the building and improvement Of canals is no.
uceable in some of the most progressive nations
competition is the keenest. OF this, France and
Germany afford conspicuous examples. In En-
glanu there are several vast ship canal schemes
unaer way ana in projection. This revival of
interest in canals is true also as to a number OF
our sister states. Some states that have ahan-
doned their canals now regret that action and
several are endeavoring to recover the franchise
which had been disposed of to private individ-
m pals or to corporations. Canada is now seeking.
by enlarging and extending her canals, to sec,rss
continent.
In this connection attention is called to a de-
monstratton in Ohio of the value of Improvements
of waterways, viz: The Muskingum river
navigation on which will be resumed in the com
ing spring.
1t should ever be kept in mind that the caras
system OF ONO represents franchises and rights
of way and privileges of enormous value. The
aggregate length of the canals of Ohio is GgT
miles The original cost of construction was
erVolrs winch feed the canais-al public prors-
erty.
The canal system of Ohio is rich heritage to-
the state which has been largely squGndCrCd IL
is time to call halt TO the policy of dispostnc-
OF the people property without adequate COM
penSation
1t is for the people to say what they viii do
with their own, but they should have full in-
formation before they forever dispossess them
selves OF two such valuable franchises as those
appertaining to the Miami and Erie canal and
the Ohio canal.
This is matter OF general interest TO every
section Of. the state and is not limited to the
territory through which the canals pass.
Before the people or the legislature car acr
upon this important question with intellige nee
ana with due regard to interests of the state,
1t is manifest that they should be in possession
OF more information than is now at hand.
1t is therefore recommended that, in addition
10 making the usual appropriate tions for tho
canals, the legislature create a body, with en-
gineering, legal and business qualifications. to
make complete report as to the canals OF Ohio
giving their origin, the rights of the state as
to title, their cost. their earnings in the paSe
and present. their value franchises for rail-
road or other purposes as nearly as can be es-
tim 1mated, ana tpartculary Us p the possibility
ing their usefulness TO the people.
Already there is in existence a body, which, it
40 o,sSsssecN' NSp'A WIN prOp4Acly DC lELEuSleU
with this lmpol TAX work-the canal coramis-
sion.
THE NEW BALLOT Law.
The new ballot law, from my observa tiou and
information, meets with very general favor ira
its scope and purpose, although imperfect in
direction and should not be touched excepe
where it can be improved. Ii can. no doubt he.
made to better serve its purpose by amend
ments which experience has already suggested.
At the recent state election thousands; OF
electors. voted for the candidates for gpv-
at the head Of the tickets, believing that
they were voting the entire party ticket
This occurred as to all the party tickets. The
true intent of the elector therefore not
registered by the judges for they were required
to count such ballots only for the candidate
before whose name a cross was placed
Would it not be advisable to provide that ttrey,.
should be but one method of marking the halo.
namely, by requiring the elector to place cross
mark in front OF the name of every caudidas e for
whom he desires to vote:
The duties of county ant, city boards Of else
tons should be more clearly defined.
A ''deadlock" Us to signing me returns and
another as to issuing certificate of election ip
one Of the senatorial sen districts and the lack of
remedy IN the courts to solve tho difficulty.
show that in other particulars there is impeeiA-
tive demand for amendments to the law.
The case referred to suggests the following:
When such difficulty shat presented tn
the Muskingum county board arises ard rhs,
the count should nevertheless be made Of tsts
returns from the counties regularly made, ai.d IA
certificate issued TO the person thus appearing
TO be elected, so that the foundation can be laid
for contest, and the district not deprived OF
because the law and the courts
are Intellectual 10 give relief
CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING.
You will be required under the new censrs tn
red1Str1ct the state for representatives In con-
grcss. This will afford YOU an opportunity ts
arrange the districts with farm S. 10 all Make,
the districts so fair in their relation TO the ro-
l1tical divisions OF our people that they VIII
stand until new census shall be taken. Make
them so impartial that no future legislature wilR
dare disturb them until a new censve and a new
congressional 2pportionment will ma u.chances
Imperative. Extreme partisIuship ~ their ar
should he avoided Thern : cease
of fair play among the people which is prpmp, To-
condemn tagrant "a tsuse Of party adv snta+-s at
the expense OF popular suffrage Partisanstii.
IS not to be discouraged, but encouraged in air
things where principle Is at stake; but u rJar-ti-
;anship which would take from the people tnrtr
ust representation. as in the case OF tho con-
sresslonal redistrictng by the last legislature
S an abuse Of power which the people are sSyiiS
% rebuie. You must have Observed from the
'eturns OF the late eleetion that me nartY Mhich