The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-09-10
JOHNSON
BEGINS HIS
CAMPAIGN
Candidate for Governor Of Ohio
Advocates HOml Rule and
Equitable Taxation.

Akron. o.. Sept. lo.--The Democratic
state campaigns opening meeting was
held In this city last night addresses
being delivered by Tom l.. Johnson. can
didate for governor OF Ohio; John r.
Clarke. candidate for United States sen
ator. and Henry George. Jr., of New
York.
Judge q. Rant OF this city presided
over the meeting and introduced the
speakers. The crowd was estimated AT
5000. Mr.. johnson said In part:
We have in this campaign three great
questions 10 present to the people OF Ohio.
These are the questions OF home rule.
equitable taxation and the destroying OF
the unholy II not corrupt alliance be-
tween certain managers OF the Republican
party and the owners OF valuable special
privileges. No one denies that every
locality should have the right to control
It's own local affairs This is also true
OF equitable taxation. And no one claims
that we have either local self government
or assessment OF just taxation.
Some men will deny that there Is a
corrupt alliance between some Repub-
lican leaders and the owners Of valua-
bic special privileges i'm the state. But
our hope OF success not only for the
Democratic party; not only for the gov
eminent OF the state OF Ohio. but our
hope OF republican institutions rests on
this fact: That when the people realize
the existence Of this conspiracy they will
not only resent H. but by their votes
will destroy, It. Such bargains and in
trieues cannot stand exposure.
STRIKES AT LIBERTIES OF PEOPLE
Cleveland has become known as the
most completely enjoined city in Ohio
Since l have been mayor IL injunctions
have been Issued against the city In the
interest of the owners of valuable spe-
cial privileges like the street railroads
and the gas and electric light companies
And after each injunction the Democratic
plralities have been larger than before.
Senator Hanna. who Is financially in
terested. with the aid OF Attorney Gen
eral Shetts. has been able 10 prevent
the city from compelling the public SER
vice corporations TO pay their just share
of the taxes. and has so far blocked the
esta blishment Of a three-cent-fare street
railway, 10 compete with his five cent
monopoly.
The last injunction. issued agains,
Cleveland, strikes at the very liberties
of the people. Senator Hanna, through
the attorney general, secured an IN
junction from the supreme court .e
straining the people OF Cleveland from
expressing their opinion as 10 whether
they would operate their own electric
light plant or allow II to be operated
for private profit. The injunction pre-
vented the election.
The state laws are such now that II
is impossible TO build a municipal street
railroad. but II Is not impossible &c
build a municipal light plant II you are
skilful enough TO dodge the inJunctions.
Senator Hanna Is standing for yindica-
ton. He stands for vindication on that
variety OF municipal ownership which,
through the ship subsidy. proposes 70
pay into the pockets Of Mr.. Hanna 6
friends from $4,000. 600 10 sl5. 900 900 an
nually. in ship subsidy He stands as op-
posed 10 allowing the people OF Cleve-
land TO express their will as to whether
they desire an electric plant
I will be satisfied with the verdict oi
the voters.