Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-02
OHIO LEGISLATURE MEETS
Republicans 0rgsniss the House aud tb,
Democrats the Senate.
FAREWELL MESSAGE or GOV. HtRRIcI
chief Executive strongly Condemns
the Professional Lobby and
the so-CsIIed Milking
Bills

l.
seventh general assembly of Ohio con-
vened today, the house being organized by
the republicans. who have sixty-two votes
against fifty-nine for the democrats, and
the senate being organized by the demo-
Gratis. who have nineteen votes, counting
one independent. Senator Lamb of Lucas
county, who voted with them. against elgh-
teen for the republicans. Lieutenant Gov
ernor AHarding presided In the senate. He
VIII be succeeded on January as president
of the senate by Andrew l.. Harris, the
republican lieutenant governor-elect. All
the democratic caucus nominations in the
senate and all the republican nominations
in the house were ratified without opposi-
ton. Several attempts were made to organ
ize bolts. but all failed
Carmai a. Thompson OF Lawrence county
was elected speaker OF the house and in
accepting the honor declared that economy
was the watchword.
Governors Message.
In the afternoon the farewell message
of Governor Herrick was read. 1t is a
Volumnous document and notable for its
strong declaration against graft in all its
forms. 1t says in part
l most earnestly recommend the abolish
ment OF the lobby in Ohio. II is neither
possible nor desirable to isolate members
of the general assembly from the people
IL Is right and proper that executive and
administrative 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 necessary and de.
sirable that the public at large. any
citizens who are specially interested in some
subject of legislation, should have full OPP
portunity to appear before the proper COM
mittees In either house to be publicly heard
in any manner affecting the welfare of the
state or the interests of business
class of people. But beyond these lmita-
tions all contact between legislators and
outsiders in the work of legislation should
be stopped and all means of soliciting,
importuning or demanding the enactment
propria tions should be prevented by the
most rigid measures at the command Of
the general assembly.
"MiIkInR Bills" Condemned.
There is creature, however, who more
richly deserves the scorn and contempt
OF men than the lobbyist. 1t is he VINO
IS responsible for the so-called milking
bills introduced for the purpose of ex-
torting money from special interests. He
IL IL who often brings the lobbyists in
sef-defense to the Legislature Acting
very naturally upon the law of self
preservation and desiring to protect them
selves from threatened ruin. the owners
of legitimate Industries or the proprietors
of proper and lawful businesses are often
legislature to watch the progress of
threatened attacks upon their private in
terests by those whose sole motive is to
arouse this anxiety. No legislation will
reach this situation. The sole remedy for
IL lies In the wholesome contempt which
all members of the legislature should feel
ana show towards those who dare to en-
gage In this pernicious practice. I speak
OF this evil because II Is urged as an cN-
10 be any excuse for the lobby.
just system of Taxation.
The people of Ohio have come to re-
gard as their state policy system "
taxation which relieves real and personal
property from the entire burden of state
expenditures other than for educa tional
purposes. This policy to relieve the homes
and farms of the peot .e from taxation
den upon those who enjoy special prvt-
leges from the state Is both wise and
should be- carried stil farther. so that
ultimately no tax whatever Is imposed
upon real or personal property for any
| am earnestly in favor of the nomina-
ton OF all county, municipal and other
believe that conventions for such purposes
should be abolished and that all aspirants
for oftcc should have an equal opportunity
people ...--.
There is no subject in which the people
are more vitality Interested than the good
government OF their municipal corpora
lions. That there should be healthy
political advancement and reform in our
interest and insistent demand. The num-
Der of officers provided for the smaller
municipalities should be reduced The
merit system should be extended to all
departments of the city government. The
business of municipal corporation should
he managed like that of a private cor
poration. There Is reason why man
should be employed in the waterworks de-
partment or the health department or in
any other place In the city service be-
cause he Is a democrat or republican. He
ought to be chosen simply because he Is
honest. sober, Industrious and capable, and
he ought not 10 be discharged unless he
ceases to be one Of these things. He ought
not to he required to support any political
organiza ton and he ought not to be per-
mitted to contribute to any. Nothing
would make bosslsm so unpopular and un-
attractive In our municipalities as the re-
moval of the spoils of Office.