Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1911-07-09
HON. JUDsoN HARMON, GOVERNOR OF OHIO.

Republicans. Another graft invesd- |
cation brought forth the exposure,
prosecution and conviction of Mark
Slater. former Republican state print
err, on graft charges in lesser degrees;
the settlement of an interest claim OF
over $500 on funds carried in the
bank for former Republican State Au-
ditor Walter D. Guilbert and the filing
of a claim for over $31 900 with the re-
ceiver of a defunct bank at Columbus
as an interest charge on funds carried
in that bank by Mr.. Guilbert as au-
ditor.
These revelations during the COVER
nor's first term awakened the civic
conscience and paved the way for his
subsequent reelection. The Democrats
captured the general assembly at the
same time.
Then Governor Harmon renewed his
efforts in behalf Of certain bills two
Republican general assemblies denied
him.
The most notable achievement ac-
complished by the executive during the
legislative session was the enactment
of the Wyman bill, including the Ore
gon plan of nominating and electing
United States senator's
A conference committee was appoint
ed to frame a compromise senatorial
nomination and election bill. Il would
vote for a Republican for United
States senator if the people by their
votes declared for a Republican" the
! governor told this committee dur
! ing the conference. II would be
proud to do it. I would simply be
doing the will Of the people" One Of
the committee suggested the Oregon
| plan was undemocratic. The executive
replied, ITS the very essence of De
mocracy TO put the government back
into the hands Of the people and let
them say whom they want for United
| States SENATOR
Governor Harmon took Il new tack
and had Il similar measure offered in
the house, the Wyman bill. That
body passed it and sent it to the sen
ate, where the governor finally got
sufficient Republican votes TO save it.
Ohioans had demonstrations recent
ly that their judiciary, one of the most
sacred institutions of free govern
ment, had been invaded by party boss
es in their inordinate thirst for power.
Instead of being places where the peo-
pie could turn to invoke the penalties
of the criminal statutes on those who
had offended certain courts We're be-
ing used, in cases where men of vast
political power We're concerned, to
the law.
Butthe general assembly took long
step forward from boss domination of
the courts by enacting Il bill provid.
ing in the future that all Ohio judges,
] from the dignif1cd gowned justices of
the supreme court down to the humble
laymen who sit MS justices Of the
peace, shall be elected on tickets ah-
solutely free from party emblem or
device. Nominations may be made by
conventions, but the power Of bosses
to control nominations was broken by
a clause in the bill which says that
nominations may be made by petit
tons There is not another such law
in the United States
Ohio has been hampcred by the
crude, unwieldy machinery of con
stitution which was adopted in 1881,
and the subject Of making a new or
ganic law 10 the biggest and most i'm.
pOrtant proposition that has come be.
fore a Buckeye general assembly in
many years. Selfish hands were being
outstretched to get control of the con
stitutional convention TO be held in
! 1912 when Governor Harmon took
charge of the arrangements for it and
succeeded in getting through the gen
eral assembly a bill which will remove
the delegates from political influence
and make them responsible 10 the peo.
PIE only. So well did he manage the