The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1896-01-16

mao cast II seruds uvuUv u.s ~ 49,
tutionality of this mandatory legislation,
and since there lis room for doubt. it
certainly seems proper that the people
ommend the discontinuance OF manda.
tory legislation and hope that you will
take some action that will relieve the tax
payers of the possibility of the injustice
1t often occasions,
Under the constitution, the people of
Ohio are called upon annually to elect
certain officers of the state government.
The temper of the people Is undoubtedly
in favor of fewer elections. We hear con
stantly the demand for shorter campaigns
and for less excitement, the pleas ad-
vanced in support of this anti.election
cause being that the prosecution of the
affairs of the political campaign disturbs
business seriously and interferes with the
everyday affairs Of men. 1t cannot be
denied that there is great deal of force
in this protest against too frequent elec
tions and that large portion Of the peo-
pie are in favor Of biennial instead of an
nual elections.
Being satisfied that this is the sentiment
OF majority of the people of the state,
recommend that you take such action as
Is necessary for the submission at the next
election of constitutional amendment
providing for biennial elections.
II udS Deell tSllllldleu IUhJ Ine llSU gem
eral assembly by having but a single ses-
sion saved the state of Ohio over $I5, 600
There are other points which add testi.
mony to prove. the success of the biennial
session idea, which, to the credit of the
Republican party of Ohio, was a restora-
tion OF the original constitutional pro.
vision relating TO the session of the gen
eral assembly. The state has not suffered
appreciably by the lack of au adjourned
session; on the contrary there are many
things to show whereby it has profted di-
rectly, and that aside from the mere saw
Ing of $4,000 in current expenses of the
legislature. The people of the state have
given their Endorsement of it at the polls
The Republican party has taken no stepe
backward, and ! have confidence that
there will he no retrogression by any act
OF yours. | earnestly recommend to you
the wisdom of maintaining the policy of
biennial sessions of the general assembly
To agriculture belongs a great part of
the credit of the building up of Ohio. To
the sturdy farmers who labored with
primeval conditions, and to those who
succeeded them, is due the thanks of the
present population for the fact of Ohio
being in the front rank as an agricultural
state, and having resources of husbandry
not surpassed by those of any other sec
tion OF our highly productive country
We often hear that the agriculturist
makes too large demands upon the legis-
lators or the state, and some are prone to
think that too much attention Is paid to
the farmers How great a fallacy and
misunderstanding that is. many of US
know too well.
A great portion of the welfare OF any
community depends directly upon the ag-
culturists, aud the bone and sinew of this
state, as well as OF all others, which have
reached high degree of civilization, is g.
be fouad in the agricultural districts The
proud record the Ohio farmer has made in
years past and his manly struggle against
many adverse conditions are well under
stood and appreciated. Too much atten-
tion cgnnot be paid to agriculture. and
too much care and consideration cannof
be accorded 20 the interests of the farmer,
Upon agriculture depends great deal IN
the way of future prosperity, and from
the thrift OF the farmer and his patien,
work do we gain AN example which H.
valuable at all times and for all people.
While suffering from the general depres-
sion affecting all industries, there would
seem TO be no special cause for discourage.
ment TO the farmer Prices for his pro
ducts have been low, but the acreage will
be almost maintained. The ninety aud
odd million bushels OF corn produced dur
Ing last year; the two and one fourth mill
ion OF acres sown with wheat for the har
vest OF the coming summer the ten mil
ion bushels OF potatoes for 1895; the larg,
acreage OF barley, rye, buckwheat and clio
Yer: the constantly increasing Orchards;th'
disposition OF farmers 10 increase their
products, and The application OF tho prac
tical education Afforded by the instltu Tor
and by agricultural literature, all show
thet ~ neet. nraaent and future thar1 has