The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1910-06-24
DEMOCRATS I'M SESSION AT DAYTON
ROaSfS Tariff Law and Attacks
Graft in the Conduct Of
State Affairs.

Was hs in sympathy with Governor Har-
mons nght for honesty ir public office?
II so let him say so. Does he believe in
the intrcduation of better business meth
DDS In or state inustitutions? II so let
him say 50 Does he believe that our
taxation system needs reformation? III
so let him say so. But instead of giving
to Governor II rmon the moral support
he deuerved, what has been his stand?
1t is not long ago that he held frequent
meetings In the White House at WASH
ington with his political followers for
the purpose Of bringing about the defeat
of Governor Harmon and the Democratic
state ticket. Is it not of more impor-
tance TO the country at large that the
present Republican administration should
look after it's present business than that
II should devote its time and efforts to
defeat the reelection of a Democratic
governor in Ohio7 Think Of It; the pres
ident of the United States during time
when almost the entire people are crying
out for relief from the burdens of taxa
tion, from the restrictions of monopoly,
from the tyranny of aggregated wealth,
giving his attention and efforts to mat
ters purely political.
Public Utilities.
For several years the propriety OF a
public utilities commission has been
seriously discussed. AS many of them
are constantly devising ways and means
to evdde the operations of the law, so it
becomes NECESSARY to keep them within
the law. This commission is q success
in New York and Wisconsin, and there
is no reason why 1t should not be a sue
cess In Ohio. DemCrracy recognizes the
Importance of all pSblio utilities in our
complex system of government. They
are as essential to our existence and
well being as any other personal or In
diYidual enterprise. / do not doubt that
there are persons who would invade the
rights of the public utilities corporations
just as some of them have invaded the
rights If tha public. 1t is not necessary
that either should harm the other, and
it must not be permitted Any measure
which shall be adopted must protect both
the public and the corporation. Any reg
ulations adopted must give fun scope to
reasonable and legitimate enterprise
They must have reasonable freedom Of
action, but that does not mean unbrided
license to do as they please, when they
please, or how they please.
We know that regulations can be
adopted by law which will benefit both
the public ana the utilities without tn
turing either. a public utility corpora
tion ought not to object to the laws re-
curing 1t to get the approval of The
commission for an issue of stocks or
bonds. If the issue is for a proper pur-
pose it is presumed that the permit will
be grated. Does any one say that the
commission might make mistake?
Yes, l. might, but 1t is not likely, sitting
as an imp1rtill body. to commit one
half Of the injustice to the public or to
the corplny that has been committed
by INSCRIPTIONS spectators in over
issues Of watered stocks and bonds for
private purposes,
Initiative and Referendum.
Frequently 1t happens that the people
demand new laws for their relief, and
pledges are made I'm that behalf by party
platforms only to be defeated by broken
p.edg or INSCRIPTIONS lobbyists. Again
II happens that laws are passed giving
away valued rights for a song, which
could not be passed II dependent upon
the approval of the public. Witness
many of the statutes and ordinances
granting public franchises. These abuses
have continued 80 long that 1t sometimes
becomes question whether we are In
/ truth representative form OF govern
ment.
| II the people can not get tax laws OF
other reforms which they want, because
of the intervention Of organized privl-
lege, then the people ought to take
these things in their own hands by
means cf the initiative aRe referendum
II is not intended as Il revolution In oui
| form OF government. 1t Is not expecte
that the people will be frequently com
PEELED TO adopt this new form of legis-
latlonI either by way of initiative or ref
erendum, but 1t Is intended as n poles.
mans club to compel the representa-
tives to do the peoples bidding, l plead
for that kind of progressive democracy
that believes In the voice of the people
After Governor Harmon shall have re'
| lieved this state from graft, introduced
new business methods and greater econ.
omy In the various departments of oui
state, and reformed our taxation system
the Democracy OF Ohio proposes to sent
him to Washington to introduce tn,
same Business methods and the sam,