Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-03-02
They, Not Cox, Will Control the Board
OF Service.
Especial Correspondencc.)

NpSSht fJoiISSpOuueuCC.I
Columbus, March 2..-The enemies
lot ripper legislation, the friends of
home rule, those who believe in the
inalienablc right Of American citizens
to govern themselves, won q notable
victory in the House OF Representa-
tives on Thursday.
The Cox Ripper bill, providing for
the abolition Of the present board of
city affairs for the city of Cincinnati
and the appointment of new board
of public service by the Governor, was
shorn of every provision to which the
advocates of an American form of
government throughout the State of
Ohio have been making strenuous OBJ
lection. Mr.. Hoffheimer, of Cincin.
natl, realizing that the bill could not
be passed as originally drawn, offered
when he bagan to speak In favor of the
passage of the measure, an amend
ment providing that the Governors
appointments should continue in force
only until the next municipal election
at Cincinnati, when the successors of
the members should be elected by pop
ular vote of the citizen. In order to
obviate the possible contingency that
the bill might not become law until
after the election of this spring and
that thus the Governors appointees
might remain in power for more than
Que year. Mr.. Clark offered an amend
ment to the amendment, providing
that the appointments of the Govern
or should continue in force only until
April, 1000, the successors to be elect
ed at the regular spring election.
Each Of these amendments was
overwhelmingly defeated, the former
by vote Of 81 to 76, and the latter
by vote Of 35 to 72.
Mr.. Hoffheimer, seeing that his
cause was absolutely hopeless, then Of
fered an amendment to the original
bill, providing that an entire new
board OF public service, consisting of
five members, should be elected In
April by the citizens of Cincinnati,
each member to serve three years.
The amendment further provides that,
In case of vacancy caused by death
or resignation, the power to flll that
vacancy until the next election shall
rest with the Mayor of the city. The
amendment net with the approval of
many Of the blttercst opponents of the
original bill and the measure, SO
amended, was passed by vote of 60
to II.
The dabate which preceded the vote
was most spirited and exciting. AL
though Mr.. Hofrheimer who adyo.
Gated the passage of the bill, made a
lnasterful and eloquent address, tho
palm must fairly bu awarded to Mr.
Willis, of Hardin, who made ringing
speech against it, The friends of the
measure urged that President McKin-
ley, Senators Foraker and Hanna and
Governor Nash all hoped for its pass.
age. To this argument Mr.. Willis,
after paying a high compliment to tho
prominent Republicans named, made
this forclble and picturesque answer:
II tell you, gentlemen, that II the
Archangel himself were Governor OF
Ohio, and Ii he should promise me that
he would appoint none but angels up,
on this board, l should still oppose 1t.
IT is not question of whether OF not
the nppointive power will name good
men. The passage of this bill strikes
at the very fundation Of our American
Institutions. 1t takes away tho right
OF the people TO govern themselves"
Mr.. Mckenzie, Mr.. Walters, Mr..