The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1894-11-14

prisonment. The statute is known as can
Act for the Prevention of Blindness in the
State of Ohio"
The Direct Inheritance Tax of Ohio.
The Republican newspapers of Ohio have
had comparatively little, indeed almost
nothing to say concerningthe best law called
into being by the last Legislature. They
were, perhaps, kept so busy in making apol
ogies for and attempting to defend the ex-
travagance and trifing condact of the Assem-.
bly, that they had no time to devote to the
very rare instances of sound legislation be-
longing to its record. With all of its trick
ling, trifiing triviality and travesty on hon.
orable craftsmanship, it nevertheless placed
on the statute books one just and salutary
law. No matter what the cause or motive
responsible for the measure, its character
and purpose cannot be called into question.
We refer to the Direct Inheritance tax, under
which Gall property within the jurisdiction
Of this State and any interest therein. wheth-
or belonging to inhabitants of this State or
not, and whether tangible or intangible, in
cluding annuities, which shall pass by will
or by the intestate laws of this State, or by
deed, grant, sale or gift, made or intended to
take effect in possession or enjoyment after
the death of the grantor shall
be liable to tax as follows: $4,000 to $50, 900
per cent; $50, 600 II per cent; 100000 to
100000, 2 per cent; 100000 to $500 900, 8
per cent; $780, 900 TO $500, 0,000.31 per cent
100000 to 81, 100000, per cent. all above
one million, per cent; rs per cent. of which
shall be for the State and 25per cent. for the
use of the County wherein the same is COL;
lected. Such taxes become due and payable
Immediately upon the death of the decedent
aud at once becomea lien upon the property.
Thatthe Republican press should condemn
by silence an act SO worthy of commenda.
ton is characteristic, and need cause no sur
prise. Had it been possible for that same
Legislature which disobeyed the will of its
masters in this one instance, to have exempt
cd all fortunes and properties above $40, 900
from taxation, it would have been far like
lier to have received the praise from the
party organs that has been so conspicuousIy
denied it for the present equitable measure.
It has devolved upon the Democratic papers
to come to the front and do justice to the act.
Republican editors have not dared to openly
condemn the statute so opposed to the policy
Of their party, and SO have maintainedin the
main an "atrocious silence" not caring to
advertise to the people the existence of such
= law any more than absolutely necessary to
keep up the appearance of newspaper enter
prise and political consistency. The Repub-
ican policy is not in harmony with such
legislation; no more significant proof of
which is afforded than by the frigid reticense
of their papers on consummation that
should call out their unstinted, unqualified
praise and sanction.
ERE we take our departure for the Valley
of the River of Salt there to- contemplate
with mild enthusiasm its scenes of Siberian
beauty; or ever our nimble feet have trod
once more the crowded decks of the Up
Stream -Barque that has plodded its sullen
way year by year to the Land of Doleful |
Delights, bearing Wings, Democrats and
Republicans in successive passage, we are
constrained to relate the following
FABLE. |
An Ass and Goose once formed part
nership for the Common Veal, and straight |
way became very wise above their fellows |
BY dint of Braying, and Kissing, and Kick |
ing, they succeeded in raising great COM
motion amongst their kind, to whom they |
were indifferently known as The Populist |
Pair, or The Common Wealers.
Said the Ass: "Fellow-Asses, we are the |
Masses; our voices are mighty, our ears very
long, and our hind legs very strong First
honors in Song, Criticism and Philosophical
r. hVyn IT,
ment. Let us, then, arise and possess our
selves of our natural rights, and demand |
from proud man the sceptre to which our
talents entitle u.s." And all the Asses said
amen, and Immediately formed themselves
into an Army of Asses which was styled Or
Ranized Assdom, or "The Assinine Contin-
gent of the Common Veal" (By far the
largest one.)
The Goose talked to his web-footed audit
ors in this wise: "My friends, where such
beauty as that of the Goose? Consider the
quantity and quality of our feathers. Must
we longer submit to the jealousy of man,
who plucks us of our plumage in order to
triumph over US land then pillows his naughty
head on our down? Down with him Hiss
him out of the land!" And all the Geese
made ready their bills against mankind, and
oined themselves unto the Asses, to bring
he arrogant usurper to account. And by
eason of their marching about the land in
Beggary, they attracted to their
anks all the Asses and Geese in the country.
hus parading their aggregated superiority.
Ind they marched into the strongholds of 1
Peace, where they only got laughed at by
leartless man, who feared them not.
Thereupon the Asses besought the Horses
rho, in the Harness of Democracy had pro-
uced the wealth and prosperity of the
ountry, to become their allies, and to enroll '
themselves under the banner of the Long
,ars. And not few of the Equines listened {
} the voice of the Brayers, and Joined their
anks. /
Now it happened at this time that the s
Horses were struggling against Great Pow
r that threatened their Liberties and Hap.
iness, by reason of which all their forces
Tere needed for defence against the impend- c
1g evil. When the day of conflict came the f
[orses were routed and driven from the
eId because SO many of their members had
,ined the Asses in their silly campaign. a
nd straightway the Horses responsible for
10 defeat awoke to the error of their action, L
ad fersaking the camp of the Thistle Eaters, +"