The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1896-05-01
rERcY
Has the Republican Cincinnati Gazette
On Speaker Sleeper.-A Roast
That VIII Go Down in the
History.


promises that were made and the
expectations that were entertained
in behalf of the General Assembly
which adjourned yesterday. Its
performance has fallen so far she
of promise that it is almost ludi.
crous to think of the hopes which
the State entertained during the
summer and fall.
For the failure Of the House no
man has been as largely responsi.
ble AS Speaker Sleeper.
His selection us Speaker was a
blunder. Such talents as he has
are not Of the sort to ct him to pre-
side over legislative body.
Young Mr. B0Sler, of Dayton. made
II better Speaker than the member
from Athens-and Mr.. BOsler's
work as a member of the House
will not add to his reputation.
Mr.. Sleeper achieved prominence
in the Seventy first Assembly by a
sharp and futile attack on the
Emergency Board, and by his ad.
vocacy of questionable railror d
enterprise in the Hooking Valley.
IF he did anything more to win
fame, we do not recall it. lie was
a broad-shouldered, fine looking
man, and for no better reason
than that he wanted Speakership,
and as he had an imposing figure
he was elected. But he had
neither the tact nor knowledge Of
parliamentary law which are the
special requirements of a presiding
officer. Mr.. BoXwell was vastly
his superior.
The tax questionable whole
Ohio system-was the subject
though at the time of Mr.. Sleeper's
election. How has it been treated :?
\ Taxation Committee was ap-
pointed, which was certainly moi
strong, but which reflected the
views of the Speaker. Its chief
bill was bill, not to reform a
wretched system, but one to add
new feature to il. And even that
bill-the excise bill-is, it is cur,
rently reported, To be attacked s)on
in the Courts.
The fact was that Mr.. Sleeper
knew nothing about the taxes,
took the pains to study the subject,
and the House reflected his shal
lowness and lack of knowledge.
He was smart to look out for his
own. EARLY in the session he got
through bill giving the Univcrsi-
ty at Athens Il considerable addi-
tion to its revenues, and that was
followed up by additions to two or
three others of the higher institu-
tion of learning. These additions
made necessary an advance'in the
State rate from 2.75 mills to 2.8I.
But the broad aspects of the
tax question were beyond Mr..
Sleeper. We hoped-and we are
frank to say we hoped rather
than eXpected-that with his great
er opportunities, Mr.. Sleeper would
throw off his lazy Indifference, his
sloth, and put himself to work like
n man. One would say, looking at
his fine physique, that he was cap
able of great things. But he has
no reserve power. The first inn
preston one gains of him is thu
best. 1t is corrected by acquain-
tance. We recall, not with n sense
of the humor of the situation, the
noble send.off we gave him when
he was elected. "You have it in
your power" we said, "to do work
for the State such as Alfred Kelly
did fifty years ago" Well, he did
have ii in his p0wcr-but David l.
Sleeper Is not Alfred Kelly.
There was time when they
spoke of hinl~'s the young giantol
Athens. They spoke Of him as II
David who would go forth to meet
the Goluths Of the Phili tines
army. But he has been found out
We hear he has removed from
Athens to Columbus. lie will be.
come swell Columbus politician,
more likely II member of Tie Phil.
Iistinps' army than II David TO
overthrow him of Gath.
He had II great chance lie was
not equal to it. lie sees the injus'
iice of the Ohio tax system, and he
supports Morgenthaler He knows
that the Ohio system bears hrav'
lest on men in the small counties,
and he does nothing to change it,.
VI der him Ms Speaker, the House
has acted rs II huge machine, ob 80
lent To wires that we're pulled hy
unseen hands. Under him aS
Speaker, the Rawlings bill and the
inqnisitur law remain on the stat
ute books, and the Rusler bill was
passed by the House.
He wears the m isk Cf great
man, hut he has himself removed
his mask in the LAST four months.
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