The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1895-09-25
Pertinent Issues.


and issues that are impertinent in eacl
and every political campaign. There
are issues that are real and of vital inn
portance to the public interests and wei
fare, AID there are issues that are feign
ed for the sole purpose of serving the
selfish ambitions of aspiring politicians
The Republican press and leaders arr
endeavoring TO inject a number of the
latter into the pending campaign. Theil
reasons for so doing are plain enough
and easily understood. The interests OF
the people and the interests of the Re.
publican politicians are diametrically
opposed to each other at this time in
Ohio.
To promote and achieve the interests
of the people, is to stamp out and ami
hilate the ambitions of the Republican
leaders. To fairly and freely discuss
the real issues &c the campaign-those
which affect the vital interests of the
taxpayers--is to give them triumphant
force and vitality at the polls in Novem-
ber.
1t is natural, therefore, that the Re-
publican leaders and press should resort
to every possible artifice to obscure the
actual issues and mislead the people into
following unreal and false ones, and
throw away their votes.
AS long as the elective franchise is
exercised it should be exercised intelli-
gently and understandingly.
AT the election to be held in Novem-
ber next the people, in addition to elect
ing their county officers, will be called
on to elect Legislature to make laws
and governor to see that they are
properly observed and executed.
Thus the entire election hinges on
home matters-on county matters and
state matters.
Now how are the people to vote intell-
| igentlo ca home matters and issues? By
totally ignoring them and talking about
| things that have no sort of relation to
their real affairs?
That would be egreglous and mex
cusable folly. We will grant that the
Republican leaders of the state are anx-
ious that there shall rot be single
word breathed in the public prints or on
tine stump concerning the present cor
ulUlOn OF Sttlte dlIalrS.
They are ready and anxious for the
people to talk about everything else
than those in which they are really and
vitally interested. They even hope to
win new lease of the power which
they have beon abusing by dodging the
responsibility of their official acts.
There have been Republican gov
an legislatures during the past four
years, and during this time the treasury
has become practically penniless and an
enormous deficiency has grown up, be-
cause expenditures have fur exceeded
revenues.
Tho people have the right to know
from their public servants the reason
for this. u 10 their right to demand
the reason. And Keep on demanding
the reason until it is given
Not one Of our public officials. from
Governor Mckinley down, will ever
offer word in explanation, until the
people themselves compel the explana,
ton.
The last Republican legislature, Re-
publican 4 to i'll both branches. perpe-
trated salary grab of the most aston
ishing character, taking SOL 900 out of
tho treasury for services never per-
formed nor pretended to be performe '
The people have the right to know
why this was done. The Republican
leaders are the ones to explain it.
1t is already foreseen and known to
intelligent observers, that the rate Of
state taxation will be doubled, or even
more than doubled next year The Re-
publican leaders are responsible for this
condition of affairs, and the people
should compel them to 30 before the
public and explain The reasons therefor,
before the day of the election.
The people of the whole state have the
right to know why part of the canal
system Of the state was given away for
far less than its actual value.
All these things and many other things
pertaining to state matters, the people !
are entitled to hear about from their |
rulers.
In local matters they are likewise en-
titled to information from these same |
state leaders and Legislators.
Why should the people be burdened |
with $110, ,000,00 of local bonded indebt-
edness, $50, 900, 900 of which was created
by the last two legislatures during the
last four years?
Let the people demand the proper ex-
plantations and enforce their demands.
The Republican leaders are the ones to
do the explaining.