The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1902-09-26
POOR1V|Ll.ACES
To be Governed by Nash
Code, After Al.
HOUSE COMMITTEE
Makes q Change In 'FRONT.'
Legislature In Session Tues.
day--Ehd Is Now In
Sight.
BY BER E.. WILLIAMSON.'
7an (Staff Correspondent q"


Columbus, Sept. 23:4-Just as the vii
lagos of the state had come to the
conclusion that the more representa-
tive body of the general assembly, the
house Of representatives, was going to
see to 1t that village laws were not
changed into the cumbersome form
contemplated by the Nash code. the
subcommittee of the house code COM
mittee decided to change front and
has enacted the Nash code, with such
changes as the villages might be able
to get along with.
| As an excuse for this action Repre-
sentative Worthington stated that he
and his colleagues had consulted some
lawyers" and they had said 1t would
be better to take the Nash code and
amend it rather than re-enact the ola
laws.
REASON FOR 1T.
It has been stated on several occa-
sions that there are sleepers in both
the village and city codes, and this is
set down by some who have been
watching the code building, as the rea-
son the Nash code is desired as
| basis in this regard.
! Speaker McKinnon is desirous that
the, villages have what they want, for
he knows the idea of home rule is
more firmly planted in the hearts OF
villagers than in the hearts of city
residents, who are so busy chasing the
| elusive dollar that they forget all
about how the town is run. He took
exceptions to the plan and it is<ex-
pected opposition to it will be formid-
able in theshouse when thescode finally
| gets to it.
TUESDAYS SESSION.
Both the house and senate met
| Tuesday morning, the senate to wres-
tie with the franchise question in COM
mittee of the whole and the house to
hear what it's committee had been do
! ing and to adjourn very soon after
hearing it. The senate is likely to do
some curing" on the franchise matter.
The Cincinnati Traction company Is
very anxious on this point and as it
entertained the members of the gem
eral assembly quite royalty in Cihcin-
natl and the return of the favor in
the shape of fifty-year franchises is
confidently expected.
In this connection 1t ought to be
stated that 50 far as the senate is con-
cerned this entertainment was not re-
lquired. The senate was already owned
by the company.
METZGER'S STAND. >H
! With the house. however. it is diff
ferent, and it was necessary to be
a good fellow in a full measure with
! the members of the lower body Rep
Hgesentatiye Metzger of the house code
committee, did not 60 with the crowd
SO he Is one member at least, who is
not under obligations to. anyone.
Representative Williams, of Cincn-
natl. Processes. to believe that the house
twill finally adopt the Chamber Of Com
rnerce code, that will give cities a
council and a mayor. and then tell
the council to 60 ahead and have what
plan of government the city needs In
this way Cincinnati would get the
board plan, for Cox owns the Cincin-
natl council. The Chamber of Com
merce code is carefully drawn, but an
alleged decision from the "back- door
of the supreme court is said to he
against it. Cox is declared by his
so'SiiitC, W Dc WlllluS u
chance 1t.
GUERIN'S SYSTEM.
! An earnest effort Is being made by
Representative Guerin to get merit
system attached to the code. The one
provided for in the Nash code Is pure
ly political and is ludicrous farce. 1t
Is not claimed to be anything else by
I its authors The system Guerin is Of
fering provides state board which
shall have jurisdiction over city boards
and which extends the merit system
to all departments, instead of only 10
: police and fire departments. The state
hoard would consist ofrfour. men, ;, two
from, each of the leading parties, and
would be. appointed by the governor. =,
Il A't4 - f
1t is figured now that the legislature
will be able to adjourn two weeks from
next.Monday, which will be October 8.
Some who, expect long. debate in
the house place the time at week
later. The conference committee OF
the two houses may take three or
four weeks themselves, IL they once
get deadlocked. for the house has prom
ised to stand by the code until 1t is
finally adopted II 1t takes all fall.
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