The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-01-07
HARMON SURE
Continued from Page One.

ab NG the scheme TO repeal the pri-
mary reform law Regardless OF
the known attitude of Mr. Burton
the primary bill lis to be attacked
and if possible, torn into fine bits.
A combat between Cox and his
allies and Governor-elect hudson
Harmon appears inevitable. Judge
] Harmon can balk Cox, If he desires,
J by the exercise of the veto power
Friends of the incoming governor
Fay he will not he slow in vetoinig
any Cox legislation that may be
juggled through the assembly. But
the governor-elect has yet to define
his attitude on primary reform and
similar legislation Harmon will have
| in his hands the power to check
or stimulate lerislation. Members OF
the assembly admit that the talk of
] a long or short session is premature.
All are now waiting on the COVER
nor-elect and his inaugural speech.
| As announced weeks ago the new
llyoveTnor win outliue his Legislative
po'icy to a large extent next Mon
day. His general suggestions. it is
understood are to be followed by one
or two special messages TO the as
sembly. Ae yet no one. not even
the closest confidants of the gov
ernor-e'ect, are informed concerning
the inaugural speech.
Immediate action by Mr.. Harmon
is expelsted on the confirmation OF
the appointment of James c. Morris,
whose old term does not expire un
til next month, as member OF the
railroad commission. Former Az
torney General John NJ Sheets,
Republican, rendered an opinion to
the effect that the appointment and
confirmation of Norris was without
warrant in law and wholly void
In his opinion, in which he quotes
oorrt decisions, Judge Sheets says:
"The question is, can n retiring
officer foresta,l the action of his
successor and employ persons whose
term of service will not commence
until after he retires from Office.
If a retiring officer may forestall
the action of his successor and
make contracts which properly be-
long to the successor to make, may
he reach out and thus tie the hands
of his successor? Startling conse
quences would flow from such a
holding and 1t cannot be presumed
that one officer may voluntarily as
sumo and perform the duties which
properly belong to his successor.
"Suhicient unto the day Is the evil |
thereof. 1t Is enough for one officer
to see THAT his own duties are
properly performed, not to reach out
and undertake to perform the duties
Of his successor He Is not respon- !
sible for the conduct of his success
cor; hence is not permitted to per-
form his duties"
The present session of the aesem
bly, win afford no rest for the wick |
ed. The crusade against cigarets Is |
to be renewed with more substan-
tial and better organized backing
than before. Rev. A. S. Gregg OF
Cleveland, representing the interna'
tlonal reform bureau, Is on the
ground with a new bill prohibit
ing the sale and importation OF /
c1garets in Ohio Supporting the /
hill will be the W. C. T. U., Young |
Peope's CHRISTIAN Endeavor societies
Young Peoples Baptist association.
npworth league. Chic Sta'e Sunday |
s,hoo' association and the Social
Be.'erment league The latter Is an .
organization composed of college /
and university students now working
on petitions in behalf of the bill.
The labor interests OF the state are
ready with the legislarfve program.
This year the Ohio Federation of
Labor Is backing a labor injunction
hil', an employers liability biz and
ehe initiative Rnd referendum. The
n'nndo bill l. sweeping, 1t pro-
vides for a jury trial in case a
charge of contempt Is brought foi /
offense outside the presence OF the
court. 1t PERMITS an injunction only
when irreparable injury is threatened
to person or property. and there
must he three days notice to the
alleged offender, during which time
he may file motion against the
actlon sought Even when property
is threatened, an injunction can be
granted only when there is no other
redrees under the law. Also the in
junction must name specifically the
persons against whom n is directed,
The liabidty bin is practically the
same as the one introduced last
year II makes the employer liable
for injuries to an employe when a
fellow emp'oye Is responsible. II
provides that when IN emp'oye Is
hired he does not assume the risks
OF improper or defective machinery
end Is not presumed to know at all
times when machinery is defective.
II makes invalid all contracts waiv-
ing damages in case Of injury or
deagh in lien OF insurance or other
compensation.
The initiative and referendum win