The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1910-10-21


of tfiokery no matter what, are will
ing to lie about and mlsrepresent
Governor Harmon In any way. The
half-and-half truth and deception
about the new tax values is one of
the ways.
Governor Harmon is recognized
throughout the United States as an
able student In the science of gov
enment. He knows the limits Of the
constitution and the laws. He knows
what can be done and what can not
be done.
Governor Harmon did not originate
taxation reform. He has never pre-
tended tha he did. Taxation reform
has been a burning question in the
state of Ohio for 80 years Proposed
amendments to the constitution, one
after another, have failed. One state
administration after another has TAX
en- up the subject and tried in vain
co accomplish something. Governor
Mckinley appointed a tax commits
sion. 1t investigated the subject and
reported. Matters drifted along and
more proposed constitutional amend
ments failed. Governor Harris ap-
pointed a special tax commission. II
investigated and reported.
Governor Harmon knew about the
work of that last commission. A SON
in-law Of his was a member of it..
Atlee Pomerene, Democratic candi-
date for lieutenant governor, was an
other member Of It.
When Governor Harmon came
into office, instead of doing nothing
he said Tets go ahead and do some
thing" In his inaugural address he
said the state administration and leg
islature ought to be ashamed to look
the people in the face If the Oppor-
tunity went by without taking ad-
vantage of the services and advice
of that commission. In a special
message to the special session he ad-
Vised specifically that a state tax
board be created to take over the du-
ties of a dozen different boards as
the first step. The legislature, guild
ed by partisan hostility, ignored his
advice and mocked his recommends
tions. Before the special session ad-
journed he sent another message de-
claring that if nothing were done be-
fore adjournment he wanted respon-
sibility to rest where it properly be-
longed. The legislature laughed at
him and adjourned. Before the leg
islature met again it had found out
that the people were not laughing
nor ignoring Harmons advice nor
mocking his recommendations.
In his message this year Governor
Harmon took up the subject of taxa
tion again and discussed it thorough
ly. Most of his recommendations
were ignored. The legislature did
create a state tax board, but Cover
nor Harmon did not sign the bill be-
cause it defiantly retained the obnox-
ious political manipulation in appoint
ment of local boards of review. 1t be-
came a law without his signature,
Governor Harmon advised that the
tax rate be limited to l per cent 90
mills), but the legislature put the
limit at Is mills. Governor Harmon
did not sign the bill because he be-
lieved the limit too high and that
the limit ought to be 10 mills, so as
TO protect all taxpayers alike and en-
courage the placing of hidden prop |
erty upon the tax duplicate. He did |
Tho hill had NO |
done so, there would have been no |
protection at all to taxpayers under |
the increased value.
If Governor Harmon is reelected, |
and a Democratic legislature is elect
ed TO help him, one of the first things |
TO be done will be to put the tax
limit at 10 mills, where it ought to |
be, as a guaranty to taxpayers before
the appraisement Of personal prop
erty next year. The Democratic plat
form demands it. The Republican
platform demands it, but Repubh-
can legislature would not grant it.
Another thing Governor Harmon
will do, if reelected, and given the
assistance of a Democratic legisla-
ture, will be to take the power over
local boards of tax review away from
the political bosses and give it back
% the people where it belongs.
Instead of voting against Governor
Harmon for progress made in tax
alton reform which he has been able
TO force through in spite of the hos
ility Of Republican legislature every
Republican and Democratic farmer
and home owner ought to be out
day and night for the re-
election of Governor Harmon and the
election Of a Democratic Legislature
n both branches to assist him.
Victory Should Be Complete.
It is not enough for good state gov
ernment that Harmon, only, be elect
I'd; his election should be supple
nented by the choice of legislature
which will back him up, hold up his
hands, and give him earnest, ac-
i've, loyal support in his efforts to
i'd the statehUuse and public institu-
ions of grafters. That Harmon will
oe reelected Is conceded by many,
1ut the victory will be shorn Of it's
'ruits IL an antagonistic legislature