The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1911-06-24

Providing for the construction of a
women's reformatory and placing all
girls in the state correctional institu-
tons under the control of women.
The Wilson Bills.
The big bills in the legislative pro-
gram Of Governor Wilson, as set forth
by one close to that executive In
clude:
A corrupt practices act.
Public utilities bill.
Employers liability bill.
The commission form of govern
ment in cities desiring it by a 80 per
cent majority vote, including the in
~tiative, referendum and recall.
An election reform bill providing for
personal registration and an identi-
hcation system in addition to the
%ron-partisan blanket ballot of the
Massachusetts type,
Civil service for election Of officers,
A primary bill providing for direct
nomination and election of all officials,
including delegates to the national
convention and United States sena-
tors-a more drastic measure than
the Oregon plan.
A law placing New Jersey on record
as ready to aid in building a ship
canal that will serve as a connecting
link between the two most populous
districts of the American continent.
A law that will protect the New
Jersey public from the abuses Of the
cold storage companies.
When Democratic legislators jump
ed the party traces and refused to
stand for any of these bills, both
Governor Wilson and Governor Har-
mon disregarded party ties and went
over to the Republican side and got
sufficient votes to have them enact
ed.
In his message to the Ohio genera
assembly demanding the enactment
of pending measures, Governor Har-
mon, in addition to the bills in his
legislative program enumerated above,
advocated the abolition of the party
emblem in purely municipal elections;
smaller city councils, with a large part
OF whom elected at large; the nomira-
ton by state wide primary elections
Of all who are in any way to act for
or represent the state officially or po-
litically and the n~on-partisan nomina-
ton of judges, The general assem-
bly,, however, d~isregarded Governor
Harmon's suggestion with respect to
the last four bills.
A Record Of Progressiveness.
Judson Harmon has been called a
conservative and this is true if con
servatism means one who does not
suddenly rip up governmental ma
.hinery without first constructing a
dew and better driving power to sue
2eed the old.
A ~non-partisan judiciary bill which
will place all judges beyond the do.
main of politics, a working mems
compensation act and a public utili-
lies bill are among the big measures
On the Harmon legislative program
hat Ohioans claim are far in advance
If any such legislation in the United
States.
After the Ohio general assembly ad.
iourned Lieutenant Governor Nichols
issued a statement in which he said;
Tt. is an undeniable fact that the
present general assembly has a legis
2tive record to its credit, of a bene
hcent nature unequaled by any legis.
lature that has convened since the
adoption OF our present constitution
In 1851.
1.-THE enactment Of these several
laws is the work of accomplishment
If Governor Harmon, secured by per
sistent and t~ireless effort without
anything of the spectacular or theatre
cal. Obstacles of a seemingly in.
,urmountable nature were encounter
ad-only to be finally overcome-and
he fruits Of victory cannot be with
1eld from Governor Harmon.
"In his work thus set forth and ac
,omplished he was INSTRUCTED at ev
cry turn by a strong and powerful.
minority-whose constant efforts
seemed to be to prevent the passage
If these various laws"