Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1904-01-08

several occasions ] have urged upon
the trustees and financial officers the
necessity for this, but generally in
vain. / have seen marked improve
ment in the economy of those insti-
tutions where such course has been
pursued. In others the suggestions
in regard to competitive bidding
have been ignored and L recon-
mend that this general assembly en-
act law, making it obligatory upon
all the institutions of the state to
purchase their supplies by some
practical and effective method of
competitive bidding. 1t is also impor-
tant that economy and prudence
| should be exercised in the use and
| distribution of the supplies after
they are purchased. From my eX-
perience l believe that by prudence
and by competition in the purchase
of supplies, as well as by
economical use of the sup
plies, the total annual expense
of our seventeen institutions can bc
reduced by at least twenty per cent.
THE OHIO NATIONAL GUARD.
The National Guard of Ohio is in
| good condition, and during the last
year has made marked improvement
in discipline and in everything that
makes for efficiency. Our guard is COM
posed of men who work for their liv-
ing, and l suggest that each member
receive small compensation OF, say,
twenty-five cents per night, or twelve
| dollars year, for the weekly drills,
and recommend that an appropria-
tion be made for this purpose.
THE MUNICIPAL CODE.
The new act for the organization
and government of the municipal cor
porations of the state, passed by the
sevSnty-fifth general assembly in ex-
traordinary session, on Oct. %, 1902,
has now been in force for all pur-
poses about eight months. 1t has re-
stored constitutional government to
all the cities and villages of Ohio and
has brought uniformity and security
where diversity and confusion had
long prevailed. No doubt experience
will show that in some particulars
this law should be amended. No
doubt there have already been discov-
cred during the short time in which
it has been in operation some un-
avoidable errors that should be cor
rected. But in the consideration of
these questions, the general assem-
bly, should be careful not to make
any changes which will depart from
the safe path of uniform municipal
government, or invite a return to the
dangers of the past.
OTHER UNCONSTITUTIONAL ACTS.
The same defects which formerly eX-
listed in the municipal laws of Ohio
are still found in the school laws of
the state, i'll the laws regulating the
registration of voters and the con-
duct of elections, and in those affect
ing the organization of counties and
; the compensation of county officers.
1t is very important that the uncon-
stitutional features of these sections
, of the revised statutes should be
eliminated, and that laws should be
enacted, uniform in their operation
, and obedient to the plain commands
of the constitution of the state.
PRIMARY ELECTIONS.
, There is necessity Cor the enact
r ment of laws governing primary cleo
= tions in this state. The primary Is
, the fountain head of our electoral
, system, and therefore there is every
, reason why it should be surrounded
: by all the safeguards that protect the
, general election.
OFFICE OF ATTORNEY-GENERAL.
For a number of years there has
: been marked increase in the legal
business of the state and proper
, tonate growth in the Importance OF
F., the Office of the Encouragement. At
the same time, there has been mani
l fest n disposition to divide the re-
: sponsibility for the legal work of the
l state by the employment of indie
: pendent counsel, at large expense
: for some of tie departments. l deem
: this good occasion to call attention
e to the need of centering the respon
s sibility for the conduct of all litiga
e tion and the performance of all le
y gal services for The state, or any OF
Il the departments thereof, in it's chici
i law officer, the Encouragement
e There is no reason, in my judi sment
why the encouragement of the
state should occupy any different re
e lation to it, or to any of its depart
II ments, than that of the attorney
n general of the United States toward
e the general government and Its de
f partments.
Y SPECIAL REPORTS.
t The seventy-fifth general assembl,
IL took action providing that the gov
II ernor should appoint three commits
sons whose reports should be sub
mitted to this session of the gener
e al assembly.
y These reports have been printed
. and are herewith submitted for th
. use of the general assembly.
/ AS they relate entirely to futur,
pGlicies to be adopted by the state,
commend them to the careful con
sideration of this general assembly
fully believing that wise conclusion
will be reached in regard to them.
THE PUBLIC WORKS.
AS required by law, the state boar,
of public works filed It's annual re
C port with the governor, on the 81
v day of December, last. In this docu
o ment is embraced very instructiy
.e and complete report by Mr.. Charlie