The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1892-03-24

COLUMBUS, o., Mar. 23.-[Special.l-
The Committee on Municipal Corpora
tions met last night to hear arguments on
the Canton Ripper, as proposed in the
Williams substitute. The special Canton
delegation were on hand and consisted of
Mr.. W. E. Seton, who favored the bill,
and Geo. E. Baldwin, W. w. Clarke, w.
L. Alexander and Henry w. Harter, who
opposed it. Mr.. Marvin of the Repository,
and a News DEMOCRAT reporter where
present as interested spectators. Repre-
sentatives Rowlen and Thomas and Sena-
tor Eckley were also in attendance and
listened carefully. Geo. E. Bald win first
spoke, arguing tnat the bill was unconsti-
tutional. He proved this by the Supreme
Court decision in the city of Hamilton
case, which was exactly similar, as the bill
creating the office of Councilman at tlarge
for that city was declared unconstitu
tional. He also said the people of Canton
| objected to the proposition to appoint two
| commissioners by the council who should
| have autocratic power to make all i'm
provements and depending all money
No Improvement could be made unless
these two men first voted for it. The
council were elected for certain power
and purpose and this was taken ava!
from them. The people intrusted The
council with these matters and to take i
away from them robbed the people of thC
right of self agovernmen'. He also callet
attention to the fact that in filling va
cancy the party in power could fill th'
vacancy from the Prohibitionists or an!
other side party according to the work
ing of the section. Mr.. Baldwin
also maintained that the rule
prescribed for bidding on contracts CAV
opportunity for unmitigafed frauds. Th
contractors and the commission, coule
under the law, combine and cheat the cit
out of thousands of dollars. The powe
to contract with three newspapers for at
, vertising he said, was wrong and useles
extrava gance. Referring to the polio
and fire commissions, he said no lesisls
ture in the world had right to take ava
r from majority in city the right to rul
, | themselves. 1t was an innovation on ii
ground work of the principles OF bot
8 parties. He opposed the bill because /
was a citiz en-, a Republican and tax paye
|. and believed it to be an iniquitous mea,
4 ure.
s Mr.. W. w. Clark said it was an atteml
: | to carry the stream above the fountaj
r head. Canton would be manacling itse
!. and unable to release itself il this b
Q should pass. When a councilman do
:, wrong the people rebuke him at Il
spring election.
That there could be no redress und
this bill. They would be bound for To-
years by the four year member.
D. Ile mora tnt Dlll was StuuiSu shS INV
the hand of Joab WAS seen.
He also made point on the section
to the award of contracts, saying th
specifications should always be requir
and holding it left loop holds for corru
ton. lie also called attention to /
"Reputed politics" sentence and I
mouse concealed in it.
.. II the legislature would pass geneT
= bill for all cities he would assent; Tu' Il
! was vicious, special legislation.
0, Mr.. w. L. Alexander said there was
le complaint by the people Of Canton; I
10 bill originated with NJ, Seitc
- - who got the city solicitor to draw
ID He circulated the remonstrance against
to and attended the conference at which
"a "a bill was considered. Among other thin
ed he said the commission could perpetu
itaelf. The one your year man wo'
elect the entire council. hr. Alexan'
40 entered into a detailed account OF
We uoliticAl status Of Canton.
Mr.. Henry w. Harter said he could mi