Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1902-01-08
HOPPER
Brimming Over
With Bills.
A Lot of Two. Penny
Legislation Started.
Tax Bill of Much Interest
introduced.
The Routine Grind OF the Ohio
Legislature.
Especial Correspondence.l

|
| Columbus, o., Jan. SIT was not an
ticipated that many bills would be
introduced at the opening sessions OF
the House of Representatives and there
was, therefore, some surprise when
members began to pour bills into the
hopper, which they expect to come out
full-fedged laws. The preliminary
business having been done away with,
on Monday, the first bill that was in
troduced became one of interest 1t
came from Representative Brannock,
of ClearmOnt county, and was to rec
tify an evil that has existed for some
time in the. shape of taxation. The
word taxation In the bill made the
members listen with attention while it
was being read, and the Republican
members pricked up their ears and
prepared to meet anything that sound
cd like Tom Johnson measure at the
outset. a
1t was more innocent than it appear
to be, however and the result was that
it went over without comment. 1t pro-
yided that former owners of lands that
are now used by steam and electric
railways, should not be made to pay
taxes on these lands. The railroad
companies are assessed for the proper
ty and 1t is claimed to he duplicate
taxation to assess 1t on the former own
er. County auditors have been remiss
In this matter and have never taken
the strips of land thus occupied, off
farms where they once belonged.
A bill that will interest every Justice
of the Peace or other magistrate, and
every attorney, Is the one that was
introduced, which carries the provis-
ion that in every action before mag
istrate, the plaintiff be compelled to
give security for costs. Heretofore on
ly non-residents We're required to give
such security 1t isgthe purpose of the
bill TO do away with a lot of two-cent
lawsuits that -Lave been aclogging the
Justices courts ana in which there is
little or no merit 1t Is figured by
the author of the bill that if a lawsuit
Is worth starting, 1t Is worth margin
ing.
A bill giving conductors on both
freight and passenger trains the rights
of police officers Is one that will be
scrutinzed before it passes the house,
or even comes back from the commit
tee, 1t was also presented by Mr..
4 Brannock, of Clearmont county. The
; bill is sweeping in character and as 1t
: is presented would give conductors on
street ears the powers of police officers,
g whether on their cars Or not. 1t would
give conductors of freight and pas
scnger trains the right to go into a
saloon and stop brawl.
This is not the intent of the bill, as
Representative Brannock explained,
hut it is the intention to make 1t ap-
ply to passenger and freight engineers
and conductors on interurban lines.
The memorial to President McKn-
} ley, contemplated in the resolution
passed by the lIuose, will consist of "A
set Of appropriate resolutions and a
few hours set apart to eulogize the
dead President. 1t Is said that the
Legislature does not now contemplate
II PERMANENT monument at the capital.
Citizens of Columbus have taken that
matter up and have raised nearly $40,
600 for such project. IL may be that
the Legislature win order something
or other erected In the rotunda of the
capital, but II is not probable. II
Is the sentiment of many of the mem,
bers that If the Legislature is to take
any action ON behalf of the people OF
the state, that II should make whatever
fund Is set aside apply to the Canton
project. But it is a remote possibility
that anything of the kind will be done
GEO. n. BLAKE