The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1902-10-03
Used by Mayor Tom for
Democrats.
SCORED bill" GEAR.
For Voting for Curative Act--
Promises to Work Against
Every Democrat Who
Voted for Sa me Bill. IT,.

made use of such bitter fnvectives Gs
he did at the tent meeting last nigh,
when referring to bill" Gear and the
other seven Democrats who voted fol-
the curative act" at Columbus Tues
day. Words seemed almost to fail the
speaker in his effort to express his
scorn and disgust.
Il pledge myself" he said, ito keep
the names of these eight men fresh
in my memory, and il ever one OF
them attempts to be a candidate for
any office I'll take the tent to his home
and fight him as long as can stand. -
Mayor Johnson began his address
by criticising the policy Of the Re-
publicans in the legislature on mat
ters of taxation. His remarks were
much tho same as his presentation of
this particular issue at other meet
ings of the campaign. Suddenly he
assumed an air of intense earnest
ness and poured forth his wrath
against the recreant Democrats in a
flood Of fervid eloquence which car
ried the big crowd off its feet. What
he had said concerning the misdeeds
of the Republicans was as milk and
wormwood of his words for "Bill'
Gear and, his Democratic associates.
81 must now speak 10 you.' said
the mayor. "of the action. the con-
temptible action. of some Democrats
in Columbus. am not here to defend
Democrats and criticise only Republi-
cans for their misdeeds. just so sure
as We have pointed out the wrong
doing Of every Democratic auditor
along the road where the tent has
passed we will criticize every other
Democrat who fails to do his duty and
proves himself unworthy of the CONT
dence of the people. The man who
wishes to defend a dishones, and cor
rupt Democrat is the best man to get
out of the party. The fewer OF such
men we have the more good people
will come to take their places.
What is the curative act? 1t
sounds pretty. 1t sounds as II 1t were
intended to correct some evil or wrong
that ought to be cured Six years
ago a Republican legislature passed
the Rogers bill, which allowed town
councils to give away franchises IN
the streets of cities for a term of fifty
years. 1t was SO iniquitous that the
next legislature repeated 1t, not dar-
ing to let 1t remain on the statute
books. But. meanwhile, the mischief
had been done in Cincinnati and Nc.
Foraker and Mr.. Cox had bought u
council and had secured possession OF
tile streets. Not until tn,s year was
the Rogers act, tested in the courts
and declared unconstitutional. 1t ia
to lender invalid the decision of this
court and to re-enact the fifty-year
that the curative act was
drafted and forced through the iegis-
lature.
when the curative measure came
up in the senate it was passed by a
strict party vote. every Democrat vo.-
ing right and every Republican, as
think, voting wrong. l do not be-
ieve that all these Republicans will
fully betrayed the trust of the people.
Some of them. l think, had sand
thrown in their eyes by their asst,-
cialcs and by the lobbyists. Yesterday
hat same question came before the
house. Nine Republicans, God bless
hem, voted against the act. Among
his nine were Willis and Cole. auth
DTS Of outrageous tax bills, for which
have denounced them at nearly ev-
Try meeting this fall. Yet these two
men yesterday helped to correct that
wrong. They refused to be bossed by
Foraker and Doc Hissey and held the /,
interests of the people of Cincinnati
o be of more importance than the
private interests of Foraker and some
capitalists in Philadelphia and WASH
ngton. These nine Republicans voted
light and l honor them for their up
'ightness and courage" Mr.. Johnson
lamed each of the nine Republicans.
Eight Democrats" he continued,
voted in favor Of the Curative act
These eight names should be written
4 your black books and should never
,c forgotten" And Mr.. johnson
laned the eight Democrats.
These are the men who deserted !
heir party in the time OF need and
Who were suddenly converted to the !
idc. upon which millions are enlisted.
Jan any one blame us II we doubt !
hem? Why, Bill Gear. night before
asst, sat on this platform before 1000
II his fellow townsmen and pledged /
not to vote for that act unless
he referendum was attached. l asked !
lin before that crowd IL he would I
iote against the curative act and he
aid yes more than once. IIe left me
It 10 o'clock that night and voted |
or the Get the next day. Z |