The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-01-15
SPEAKER OF OHIO
HOUSE WARS ON
GRAF TIERS
THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS HE iS
ELECTED WITHOUT POLITICAL
DEALS WHICH HAVE STAINED
THE STATE.

COLUMBUS. O.. Jan. 14.-For the
first time in long years Ohio has a free
speaker in its house OF representa-
tives. Granville w. Mooney, of Ash.
tabula. won the position TO which he
was formally elected without political
deals or agreements OF any kind and
without any understanding with agents
OF powerful special interests that con-
stantly prey upon succeeding general
assemblies.
His candidacy invoived by con-
test for a seat In the United States
senate, contest meaning continued
power or disastrous reverse to lead
ers of the state organization OF his
party. Mooney secured the speaker
ship practically without pledge or
promise TO any man or interest. FL
forts to pursue the old tactics OF
manufacturing contest. simply as
means OF forcing some kind of an
understanding with the speaker, fail
ed. Mooney kept himself clear Of all
entanglements.
AS the most powerful member OF
the new assembly. Mooney took his
oath of Office beyond the reach, as far
ticians or lobbyists. His election
promises new methods and new ideas
In the conduct OF the Ohio general as
sembly
First OF all, Speaker Mooney prom.
ises 10 demonstrate his freedom In the
making up Of the house committees,
the most important working units Of
the legislature. He give his word there
will be no packed committees. For
example. the committee on railways
and telegraphs, often source OF
scandal In the past, will not be turned
over this session TO members carry
ing the Endorsement OF railway and
telegraph companies alone AS nearly
as possible. Mooney says. he will
frame the committees with an eye to
representing the state as a whole.
This session will also see a judiciary
committee that Is not composed en-
tirely OF lawyers, a labor committee
that is not composed entirely OF men
holding union cards, an insurance
committee that Is not made up en-
tirely OF insurance men, and so on.
Far better general results can be OBJ
tanned. Mooney believes, by balanc-
Ing OF committees such as has not
been attempted in the Ohio state
house for many sessions.
In addressing the house when the
gavel was turned over TO him by Sec
rotary OF State Thompson, Speaker
Mooney warned the members against
listening TO the lobby, as did Con.
gresham Burton when he spoke TO
the Republican members who noml.
mated him for senator.
1T Is certain no man In this body
can longer retain the respect OF his
fellow members and, trust, his own
respect, II he yields TO the demands
of noisy and insidious lobby" said
Mooney
A very large part OF all proposed
legislation, In the nature OF the case
cannot affect all citizens uniformly.
\ given measure will almost surely
affect some interests favorably and
others adversely; or at least Il will,
affect some iterests more favorably
or more adversely than others. For
this reason every legislator frequent.
ly has TO decide between voting for
or against measure, the general Cd.
Grafton OF which he knows TO be good
but which affects unfavorably some
particular interest OF his own county.
II takes courage OF high order 10
support the larger view and incur
the displeasure OF an element OF ones
own constituency. but not more cour-
age than every member ought TO pos.
sess
There seems 10 be no legislation
OF great importance which the peo
Pile OF the state are demanding. When
We shall have enacted legislation in
conformity with the purposes set
forth in the message TO be received
from the governor. our chief duties