Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1906-01-20
GOV. HEaRiCK CALLS The
LOBBYIST A CREATURE
POINTS WAY OF RELIEF FROM
TAXATION - NOMINATION OF
COUNTY OFFICERS AT d.
RECT PRIMARY.

Columbus, O., Jan. 1.-The Ohio Leg.
islature convened today. For the first
time in years the Assembly was not
opened with prayer. The message of
Governor Herrick to the Legislature
was in part as follows:
most earnestly recommend the
Of the lobby In Ohio. II
Is neither possible nor desirable TO
isolate members of the General As
gembly from the people. II Is right
and proper that executive and admins
trative officers of the State, who are
the servants Of the people, should keep
In close touch with the members of the
Legislature In order to ascertain and
carry out their wishes. Ii Is neCes-
sary and desirable that the public at
large or any citizens who are specially
interested in some subject OF legisla'
tion should have full opportunity to
appear before the proper committee IN
either house 10 be publicly heard In
any matter affecting the welfare of the
State or the interests of any business
or class OF people. But beyond these
limitations all contact between legis-
lators and outsiders in the work of
legislation should be stopped and all
means of soliciting, importuning or
demanding the enactment or repeal OF
laws or the allowance of appropriations
should be prevented by the most rigid
measures at the command of the Gen.
eral Assembly.
There is creature. however, who
more richly deserved the scorn and con-
tempt of men than the lobbyist. II is
he who Is responsible for the so.Callcd
milking bills" introduced for the pur-
pose of eTtorting money from special
interests. He II is who often brings
the lobbyist In self.defense to the Leg.
stature. Acting very naturally upon
the law OF self.preservation and desir-
ing to protect themselves from threat.
ened ruin, the owners of legitimate in
dustrles or the proprietors Of proper
and lawful businesses are often com
PEELED to send representatives to the
Legislature to watch the progress of
threatened attacks upon their private
interests by those whole sole motive Is
to arouse this anxiety. No legislation
will reach this situation. The sole
remedy for II lies in the wholesome
Legislature should feel and show to-
ward those who dare to engage in this
perniclous practice. | speak OF this
evil because 1t is urged as an excuse
for the lobby and there ought not to
be any excuse for the lobby.
The people of Ohio have come to re.
gard as their State policy system OF
taxation which relieves real and per.
aonal property from the entire burden
Of the States expenditures other than
for educational purposes. This policy
to relieve the homes and farms of the
people from taxation for State pur-
poses and to place the burden upon
those who enjoy special privileges
from the State is both wise and just
and should not be disturbed. II should
be carried still further so that ultimate
ly no tax whatever is imposed upon
real or personal property for any State
need.
| am earnestly in favor of the NOM
lnation OF all county, municipal and
other officers by primary election. /
believe that conventions for such pur.
poses should be abolished and that all
aspirants for Offices should have an
equal opportunity to be nominated by
a direct vote Of the people.