The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1902-09-30

BY Der E.. WILLIAMSON.

OLUMBUS, Sept. 29.-There Is
~ good deal of speculation as to
what will occur. Wednesday night,
when Tom johnson speaks at the au-
ditorium here.
,Johnson's coming has been arranged
suddenly. Friday nothing was known
Of it. Saturday 1t was announced that
he would come.
He leaves Marion on special train
Wednesday night after making a
speech there, makes the run to Column
bus in fifty minutes and is due at the
big auditorium at 9:10. Doc. Norton,
of Tifin, John H. Clark. of Cleve-
land and Youngstown and ID. G. BAD
ger are to keep the crowd In good
humor till he comes.
1t is said that one of the things
that causes Johnson to visit Columbus
lust at this time is the fact that sew
eral Democratic members of the legis-
lature are declared to be in favor OF
the franchise curative grab. whereby
the Cincinnati Traction company
would virtually get an extension OF its
franchise for A years-entirely an un-
democratic procedure.
One Democrat in the lower house
voted for the cure in the house code
committee and Johnson has already
taken him to task in speech
He has declared that he will do his
best to drive out of the party any
Democrat who votes for this iniquitous
measure.
Senator Hanna was here a few days
ago and he simply sent for the Repub-
lican leaders and told them what he
wanted them to do. Painter, OF Wood,
Cole, of Hancock and Williams, OF
Hardin, were among those who told
him they would not do it, so far as
the curative act is concerned. The
question now Is whether Johnson is
going to assume the same tactics.
Many think he will learn what the
facts are and name the men out at
his meeting or If they are present have
them stand up and tell what they in
tend to do, as he has done the auditors.
At any rate there Is expected to be
some fire works that are not visible
on the program, and that Johnson will
stir up something along the line of
pending legislation is not doubted.
The suspected legislators did not
get back into town till Monday after
noon and could not be seen but an ef-
fort will be made to discover where
they stand, now that they have been
made aware that their names have
been used. Brumbaugh, the leader on
the Democratic side last winter, Is de-
clared by some of the lobbyists to be
one of the men who has leanings to-
ward the curative act.
The legislature has started in on its
sixth week, convening Monday after
noon and having before it the COM
pleted bill the senate committee Of the
whole has adopted and the completed
bill the house committee has adopted
1t will take the senate but a few
days to pass its bill, which calls for
the board plan.
There are 110 members of the house
of representatives and but twenty
three of them have been on the code
committee.
This leaves 81 of the house enrolled
not yet having had an opportunity to
Idlh Oh tut Dlll. vi IHcSt uNt dIt
missing, two having died, one having
been elected to Office in Cincinnati and
two others being at home suffering
with infections.
So there are eighty-two members
who have not had their say and have
not exploited their able views to ar
agape constituency.
The franchise question alone is 60
ing to take a lot of debate.
The legislature will also find a ball
in the senate conference committed
and the house conference committee.
How they are going to get away fol
three or four weeks yet is conun
drum.
Secretary of State Laylin and Sena
tor Harding will be with Senator Han
ma when he opens his speaking toul
at Steubenville next Monday after
noon.
A. A. Shelter, inspector of street i'm
provements in this city, Is a brother O
James Shelter. the Canton conducto
who was shot and fatally wounded
Mr.. Shelter has been a resident Of thi
city for many years and was postmas
ter of the senate when the 73rd genera
assembly was in session. He is a Dem
ocrat.