The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1905-09-28

trolled by the boss 3. and have enacted
laws against the interests OF the people.
They have virtually given away fran
chises of untold value in Cincinnati
Cleveland and elsewhere. They have in
creased salaries Of officers. some of whom
were already ovorplid for the duties per,
formed. TIL y have multiplied Offices for
party henchmen at the expense Of the
taxpayers. They have rewarded mem
bers OF the legislature by granting re-
quests for special legislation, involving
in many cases the expenditure OF the
public funds, In order to secure their
votes for the boss
1t is, however, during the last few
years that this bossism has become so
pronounced and so unbearablo as to
awaken general revolt There has been
complete loss Of liberty In Cincinnati
and other cities, and in many of the vii
lagos and counties of the state Until
recently the better element of the Re-
publican party still had faith in the peo-
pie, In themselves, and in their influence
and power to overcome and strangle tho
monster OF bossism that was sapping
their liberties and overthrowing all their
plans for the welfare OF their party and
the interests of the people.
The repeal of the right of the people
to have spring elections, whereby they
could elect men on account OF their merit
and honesty without being biased by
partslnship; the vicious legislation to
rob The state of It's canals in order to
make millions Of money for the boss and
his friends: and tho crowning act of in
fanny in the governors forcing legislation
taxing not only the living but the dead
In order to secure enough money to make
good the eXtravagant appropriations for
state purposes, thinking that the half
million or moro thus obtained would not
show on the tax duplicate, and that
therefore the people would not cry out
against what has proven to be the most
extravagant. II not the most reckless
legislature that ever assembled in Ohio
these are some OF the crimes in the long
catalogue chargeable to bosses and boss
ism in Ohio. But the grand elimination
came when the convention held at CO.
lumbus, May 25th last, gave conclusive
proof that George b. Cox dominated its
actions and dictated it's nominees and
that his empire had taken in the entire
state of Ohio. 1t is said that he was not
in favor of some of the candidates named
by that convention, and tn .refore he was
not the boss Is there a man in the state
of Ohio who does not know that the can
didates fer governor, lieutenant governor
attorney general, supreme court judge,
treasurer and member of the board OF
public works could not have been nomi-
mated and would not have been nomi-
mated had he opposed their nomination.
Did any of the prominent men OF the
party dare to aspire to be a candidate
for any Office before that convention un-
less he first had permission from the
boss? II any further evidence was nee
essary to establish his kingship, 1t was
shown in his influence In securing a
member of the cabinet. an illustrious cit
izen OF Ohio, to register in an official way
the commands OF the boss. There was
not self respecting member of the
ORC tom rtxr In, pto otay rl,A
did not know whom the sun went down
on that 25th day of May that a battle
royal must be fought to win back their
liberties as citizens and as members of
that party, and it Is to their credit as
patriotic citizens that many Of them will
join with US in redeeming the state from
the thralldom of boss!sm, with It's at
tendants. graft and corruption. In the
words OF a Republican editor, "They
realize that the party in Ohio has fallen
under the domination of a corrupt and
disreputable boss. who prevents any free
expression OF the partys will, and has
used and Is using the party machine to
thwart the will Of the people and fasten
pernicious legislation upon the state.
Respectable Republicans" in the Ian
guage of the editor, hang their heads in
shame when they think that the Repub-
lican legislature and the state officials,
from the governor down. are compelled
to submit to the dictation Of boss"
People Should Regain Their Rights.
In order to regain their rights and lib
critics, the people OF Ohio should exercise
their sovereign constitutional privilege.
When l say the people, mean the whole
people, Republicans as well as Demo-
Gratis, and all others OF all parties be-
cause no matter who may be in possess
sion Of the offices, men of all parties sut-
fer the penalty of bad government and
extravaganza. The proper way to de-
| throne the bosses is by the ballot box;
| the proper time to dethrone them Is now.
The Republican party in the past has
| had as its representatives such men as
William H. Harrison. Ulysses S. Grant,
| Rutherford B. Hayes. James A. Garfield
and William Mckinley; such men as
| Governors Corwin, Chase. Dennison. Tod.
| Brough, Waite. Senator Sherman and
| many others.
Citizens without regard to party took
| pride in the luster reflected on the state
| of Ohio by these great men. What Is the
| shameful contrast today under the
| blighting, whitening influence of bossism
| and corrupt politics! Craftsmanship is
| at discount; mediocrity at premium.
| The best men of the party are being
thrust aside to make way for the COM
| monplace product of machine politics.
| few men of prominence in their respec-
| tive counties and congressional districts
| still survive, but they are fast losing
| their influence. II is true there are Con-
| gresham Theodore Z. Burton of Cleve-
| land and few others of a type of the
| better days Of the party. There Is Secre-
| tary Taft. who has been so highly and
| most worthily honored; and there is the
| distinguished senator Joseph b. Foraker,
| who stands out so pre- -eminently-a ma
| tional figure. But does not every intel
| llgent Republican know that II the or
| ganiZation continues unchecked Foraker.
| the great and able statesman and brill
| liant leader OF the senate, will be reie-
| gated to private life, and that George
| b. Cox will be Ohio's great senator at
| Washington as well as undlsputed boss
| OF Ohio? II that day of erowping humii-
iation should come. no seIf-respseting
| citizen would have the hardihood to look
down from the galleries OF the United
| States senate chamber and coriess that
he came from the state OF Ohio.
| Therefore We ask. In behalf OF the
| Democratic party and in behalf OF the
| great mass OF the Republican party, and
| in the name Of all the people OF our great
state, who believe in civic righteousness.
! to vote against the entire state ticket
| nominated by this eo-called convention,
| dominated and controlled by the boss and
his organization, and to vote against any
member OF the legislature who has here
| tofore shown his subserviency and slav-
| cry to the boss; and to vote against any
Dne who has now been placed in nomina-
lion by the machine organization.
Standing under the searching light OF
| political campaign, we invite the final,
| deliberate verdict OF the voters OF Ohio.
| Our reputa on and our characters are