The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1910-09-24

q vors to the public; she exaets !.
them from the public.
8 Remember the state Of Maine .
\ and take courage. (
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In his speech at the Democratic
campaign opening in his home city,
Atlee Pomerene, the Democratic
nominee for lieutenant governor, de-
voted his time chiefly to a discussion
OF business methods in the conduct
OF public affairs. He said:
Two years ago Democracy, under
the leadership OF Judson Harmon,
charged the Republicans with extrav-
agance and mal-administration, and
promised the people reform. They
believed him. He was elected gov
ernor, and ID. s. Creamer was elected
state treasurer. They have given the
best administration of their respec-
tive Offices the state of Ohio has
for business methods. They have in
troduced economy in the public SER
vice. They have kept the faith. They
have not been found wanting.
The Democracy of Ohio again
comes before the people, under their
leadership, and asks for an indorse-
ment Of their work and vote of con-
fidence. We balance their perform
ances against Mr.. Harding's prom.
ises.
Record Of Ohio RepubIicsnlsm.
Our eloquent friend from Marion
boasts: "Our party has written every
chapter Of Ohio and national prog
ress for 80 triumphant years"
We conceds that during the last 80
years they have been almost con.
stantly in power. During all of this
time evils have been growing up in
the various departments until Rome OF
them have become fostering sores.
II the Republicans claim for them.
selves all the credit for Ohio's prog
'ress, they must likewise bear the re-
sponsibility for the evils which have
become and are part of our gov
ernment, unless they can be traced
10 some other source. How can they
claim the one and escape the other?
For almost 20 years the Republi-
cans have had control of the legisla.
tive. executive and judicial branches
of our state government except for
the few months that Governor Patti
son served and the present admins
tration of Governor Harmon, and for
20 years have had control OF the ex-
ecutive and legislative offices since
the war, except for a period Of about
10 years.
Taxation.
During all this time the constitu-
tion and laws have required return
OF all property at its true value. The
state officials, particularly the state
auditors, have encouraged Irregular.
ties by lax administration until very
little property, unless by accident,
has been returned at it's true value.
The burdens have been unequal.
They have weighed most heavily
upon the farmers and the small
home-owners.
At the second session of the legis-
lature in 1910, under the force OF
public opinion, some relief was grant
ed. Tax bills we're introduced by a
Democratic member, as well as by a
Republican member. The law pro-
viding for a tax commission was
passed May 10, 1910. II embodied
some of the suggestions of Governor
Harmon, but not all of them. tax
commission was appointed under this
law, and though 1t has only been in
existence for a comparatively few
weeks, II has already added 10 the
tax valuation of some of the public
service corporations millions of dol
lars and they will now be compelled
20 pay some of the taxes which they
have heretofore escaped by reason OF
the laxness Of Republican state of.
ficials.
The tax rate throughout the state
has varied in the several localities
from ] per cent to per cent. Gov
ernor Harmon demanded that max
imum rate of 10 mills should be pro.
vlded for A law has been passed
limiting the rate to Is mills unless In.
creased by special vote Of the peo-
pie, and both parties have pledged
themselves to limit this rate by fu.
sure legislation to 10 mills.