The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1911-01-31
BLOCKED
BY Democratic Senators Was
Republican Plan
To Defeat The Purposes Of
Judicial BILL
To Remove From Politics
Election Of Judges
The Senate Passed The Bill
As introduced
And II viii Have Easy Sail
ing In The Houjv

columbus, u, Jan. 2S-DemOcratS In
the Ohio Senate blocked well laid
plan of Republican members to defeat
the purposes of the measure by en-
abling political parties to load up ju-
dicial tickets with favorites, when
they voted down an amendment by
Senator Johnson, Republican of Gin
cinnati, and then passed the Reynolds
non-partisan judiciary bill-a party
measure-by a vote of 25 to Z.
The most gratifying fact shown in
the roll call, is that every Democratic
member voted for the measure. 1t
shows there is harmonious relation
between Governor Harmon and Demo
cratic Senators, and that they will
line up solidly behind the executive,
who is urging adoption of the reforms
he advocated in his first term, most
of which were side tracked by a Re-
publican legislature.
AS was expected the opposition
came from Republican members, who,
voters for legislative reforms. In their
arguments Republican senators dis
closed they were against this bill, be-
cause it would take from their party
the assumed right to load up the ju-
dietary with favorites. They admitted
good Democrats would have better op-
portunity to be elected when opposed
to unpopular Republican candidates un-
der this bill than they now have. Sew
en- Republicans, however, acknowledge
ed the bill was a meritorious one, by
voting for it.
The Reyonlds non-partisan bill was
designed to take the courts out of poll
tics. 1t does not affect the manner of
making nominations. The political
parties may nominate in convention or
at the primary elections as elsewhere
provided. Nominations may be made
by petition also. But, when the nom-
nations are made, the names of the
men so nominated for judges shall go
on separate ballot and there shall be
no political designation of any kind
on that ballot. There will be no roost-
er or eagle under which the voter may
put his mark land let her go at that"
He must exercise enough intelligence
to select the name of the man he ap-
proves for Judge. The law, If passed,
will apply to every court in the state,
city courts, police courts, probate
courts, common pleas courts, circuit
courts and supreme court, and ito
such courts as may hereafter be Gre
ated."
Senator Johnson, astute lawyer,
sought to load up the bill with an
amendment providing for non-parti-
san nomination at primaries, and with
nominating petitions.
Senator Yount was quick to discern
the ulterior purpose of the amend
ment, and he pointed out that with all
the Ohio Judicial districts gerryman-
dered in the interest of the Republican
party, the so called non-partisan tick
ct would be loaded with Republican
partisans, as an example Cincinnati
was cited. There the powerful Cox
machine would dictate all nomina.
tions, and the judicial ticket on cleo
ton day would be hand picked Cox
men, selected to make Cox laws. This
would be true in the majority of the
districts, for they are Republican.
Senator Cahill, Democrat of Preble,
stated the bill as introduced, would
permit both political parties to NOM
mate judicial candidates, and that
successful Democrats and Republic
ans would be placed on the non-par-
tisan election ballot.
"This would purify the judiciary,
and place the honorable Office above
the political mire, for both parties
would strive to put forward the best
men," said Senator Cahill. 1T would
arouse many voters from dorment
lethargy, cause them to scan the ju-
dicial ticket, and to make inquiries
about the candidates. A political
ty could not afford to place a.
petent man on the ticket
The people Of Obi
by the Democre'
would turn a~fol tne management OF
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