The Monticellonian., 1902-08-28
IHE 0H|O LEGISLATURE.
The Solons of Ohio Meet in Special Session to Undo Some ot
 Their Patchwork.
TO TRY AND BRING ORDER OUT OF CHAOS
Gov. Nash Points Out What Is Nec- essary to Re Done; Suggests Ihat In be Done Promptly, Leaving General Legislation For the Next Regular Session.

Columbus. O., Aug. 26.-The Ohio legislature convened at D. m., Mon day, in extraordinary session, to enact laws to provide for the govern ment of municipalities and to restore lost jurisdiction to the supreme court, these matters having been ren- dered chaotic by the action of that court during the early summer.
 After roll call the governors mes sage. accompanied by a municipal code bill prepared under the diree- ton of the chief executive, was re- ceived. Following this, resolutions were offered on the death of Hon. William Bell, Jr., former secretary of state, and at the time of his death, member of the house. Adjournment was then taken.
 In his message, Gov. Nash first calls attention to the act passed last May, depriving the supreme court of nearly all the appellate jurisdiction formerly possessed by that court. The repeal of the act is recommended. Continu- ing, the message says:
 During the last days of June, the supreme court of the state handed down several decisions which prae- tically deprive our municipal corpora tions of all government. It is appar- ent that this is an extraordinary oc- casion which practically deprives our municipal corporations of all govern ment. It is apparent that this is an extraordinary occasion which needs remedy at the earliest possible mo ment. Constitutional government must be restored to our cities and villages. The labor demanded of us is not so much a work of construe- tion as of readiustment. The ques- tion now is not what we think would be model municipal government, but what we can get considering the constitutional limitations and all the circumstances surrounding Us. The task must be approached with spir- it of give and take and with de termination to accomplish something which will bring order out of choas. It is time to attempt to have our fa- vorite ideas in regard to the great municipalities incorporated into the law after order has been restored, and when the general assembly has ample time at its regular session to consider and discuss them"
 The governor then traces briefly the history of constitutional govern ment of municipalities in Ohio, and advises that the legislature ignore the requests for constitutional con- vention. He then submits his ideas of the necessity of the situation in the form of municipal code bill, the enactment of which he recommends. Concluding, the governor says;
 T suggest that by joint resolutions you refer the school laws to the state commissioner of common schools and the attorney general; the laws relat- ing to the compensation of county of | ficers to the auditor of state, secre- tary of state and the attorney gener- Il; the laws relating to registration | and elections to the secretary of state, and the laws relating to annual boards of equalization to the auditor of state, with instructions to revise and recodify said laws, remove there from all imperfections and have their work ready for presentation to the general assembly of Ohio, on the first Monday in January, 1904"
 He earnestly recommends that no other subject of legislation be con | sidered