Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1909-01-15

state.
We need fairer and more effective
rules and methods for the taxation of
both real and personal property, pri-
vate and corporate. The results OF
the research and study given the sub
ject by the recent tax commission are
of great value and should not be lost
Their report puts beyond all doubt the
failure of the system devised nearly
go years ago to reach holdings of all
kinds with just and equal hand now
that the growth of intangible and III
visible property has so far outstripped
that Of real and other property. II
citizens generally read that report we
cannot look them in the face unless
we do what can be done by law to
improve taxation and submit further
amendments to the constitution for
what cannot be done without them.
While the primary object for which
candidates go about the state is to
enable the voters better to make a
| choice, the time and trouble required
are more than half lost If the success
| full candidate does not find out what
| the voters are thinking about and
what they think. l have thus learned
that they are not satisfied with either
the cost or the management of our
penal, reformatory and benevolent in
stitutions. Even if some of them are
well ordered or better than others.
they share the lack of confidence
caused by the general distrust, which
has been heightened by the frequency
of calls for investigation, sometimes
leading to indictments. The levying
of campaign assessments on all en-
agencies have furnished their inev-
liable share of discredit.
This state of the public mind will
not be helpful to us in graphing with
the difficulty presented by the aboli-
tion of contract labor in the penal and
reformatory establishments, which is
already taking effect as existing agree
ments expire. When the state sets
about the direct employment of the
inmates in useful labor it will engage
in strictly business enterprise, in
which fitness and singleness of pur-
pose on the part of those who have
charge of it are especially required.
The inmates cannot be left idle, and
the taxpayers of the state will hold
us responsible If our prison labor is
not made at least self-supporting and
with the least possible disturbance of
general trade. This will require a
wise choice of the work to be done
and effective conduct of it after the
transition period during which the ex-
isting deficit may be expected to
grow.
One out of every 39S of the popula.
ton is now in our public institutions
including those maintained by the
counties, and the percentage is grow
ing. 1t may be that public benevo
lence is too freely granted and should
be withheld when neither care mol
treatment beyond private reach is
needed. But, however this may be,
am convinced that few, if any, of ouI
establishments are conducted so as to
secure either economy or best results
I am disposed to lay this partly to de
parture from the proper system.
Our laws, following the lessons oi
experience, confide general manage
ment and control to board and ad
ministration to a single executive
l This is the same principle we apply
, in our governments, many to legis
, late one to conduct. And, so that leg
islation may spring from unbiased
l. Judgment, the executive alone is giveI
the power of appointment and no leg
islator is permitted to hold an Office
he helped to create.
| doubt the wisdom of having tn,
board appoint the superintendent.
am sure there cannot be good dis
cipline or management If the mem
bers are allowed to treat appointment
as patronage and so be tempted t
stay the hand of the superintendent
: which should be free, since he alon
:. is in a position to Judge the fines
- and fidelity of the force. EXecutiv
responsibility and authority must g
- together. Neither can be divide
- without harm to the service.
- The people are determined tina
= their benevolent institutions, especia
- ly, shall be conducted on the highes
plane in every respect. BY these the
a practice the philanthropy in which tn
9 Master set the great example. The civ
= ilization which grew from his teacl
a ings has rescued the afflicted froI
% neglect, derision and persecution Th
~ establishments which a Christia
=, state maintains for charity are sacreC
;, :, and every selfish purpose should pc
~ ish at their doors.
These are some of the ideas whic
4. appeal to me as l enter upon the wor
h to which my fellow citizens hay
ID called me. can do but little withol
4. their steadfast confidence and supper
Even with this aid, the powers of tt
Is chief executive alone will not suffic
m These are limited and controlled /
20 law, as they should be. The heart
m cooperation of my associates in II