Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1902-11-01


islature bill authorizing for street
railways franchise for the long term
of so years. When the enormity of
thus bartering away the most valuable
of public rights, without equivalent
and beyond recall, was discovered by
the people, such an outcry was raised
that succeeding Legislature repealed
the law, but not until in Cincinnati 1t
had been acted on and the 80 year
franchise granted. After some six
years enjoyment Of 1t, however the
courts took the matter in hand, and
decreed the measure invalid. Then
the former Governor, now grown rich
and hence become United States
Senator, and, together with NJ. A.
Hanna and George b. Cox, joint
owner of the Republican party Of
Ohio, began to rail at the courts, al
though he had formerly denounced
any man who dared to call in question
the immaculateness of their personnel
or the inerrancy of their Judgments
as an anarchist and Iunatic. After
abusing the courts, this man ordered
the late Legislature to embody in its
municipal code what is known as the
curative act;" which, being inter-
preted, Is that, Notwithstanding the
judgment of the courts as to its In
validity, the franchise, for the "A
years ye, remaining of its original
term, should be good and effectual in
law: or, otherwise stated. II lawyer
is beaten in lawsuit, and has money
enough or political influence enough
to buy or hoodwink a Legislature, he
may get the latter to reverse the court
and so win his case after all.
And the Legislature did his bidding.
Even here, that body could not forbenr
throwing the usual mantle of hypocrl-
sy over its unsavory work. And so
1t made an excuse that the stock Of
the beneficiary of its curative act
the Cincinnati railway company--was
mostly held by widows and orphans.
When the members resorted to this
subterfuge to justify the mere rob-
berry of the people of Cincinnati, they
must have looked at one another
much as the Governor of North Car
olina did to the Governor of South
Carolina when they made the historic
remark imputed to them.
Such are some Of the sins for which
the Republican party of Ohio is on
trial at the bar of public opinion.
The charges are indeed grave. The
country at large will look wondering
ly on the popular verdict to he return
ed Oh Tuesday. II the people shall
sanction these schemes of unjust tax
alton. legislative trickery, betrayal Of
home rule, and the monstrous doctrine
that Il partisan majority in Legisla-
turc may cffectually assail and over
turn tho solemn judgments of courts,
then we may be certain that the like
will he repeated and perpetuated,
Then Cox will name the candidates
next year. and will control nomina.
tons for the next Legislature: he will
be the autocrat Of Ohio. even as he
now is Of the Republican party of
the State.
A vote on Tuesday for the Demo.
cratic ticket means the rebuke alike
of Coxism in the Republican party
and of McLennism in the Democracy
a vote for the Reverend Herbert Blge-
low, high-minded man and the
exponent of high principles, will bo a
vote of which no voter need bt
ashamed, but of which every one
must be proud.
We appeal to each believer in pure
men and healthy doctrine to give It,