Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1911-06-09

troll of Public Utilities.
Columbus.-After nearly half ses-
sion of lethargy the seventy-ninth
general assembly which has just ad-
journed stepped in and passed some
very progressive measures. The cleo
tion of the United States senator oc-
cupied time at the first of the session,
but the bribery charges which later
on interrupted proceedings for time
acted soon as an impetus to rush
of radical measures. Among the most
important of the new laws are those
providing for direct election of Unit
ed States senators, workingmen's
compensation, more adequate control
of public utilities, the establishment
of a central board of control for all
the state institutions, limit of one
per cent on the tax rate and the nom
partisan election of all judiciary.
A Progressive Body.
Though this legislature has been
more progressive than any for de-
cade, there were several bills pro-
posed of that type which did not be-
come laws. Among the bills killed
were provisions for statewide primar-
les, direct nomination of United
States senators and a uniform school
book bill. No action was taken on
the liquor question although two inn
portant bills relating to local option
in cities were killed They were pop
ularly known as wet" measures.
A resolution was passed which
makes the nomination and election of
all delegates to the constitutional con
vention of 1912 strictly non-partisan.
The nominations are to be by nomi-
mating petitions only. The delegates
may be pledged to submit separately
to popular vote any proposals in re
gard TO the liquor traffic. Another res
olution demands a convention OF
states to amend the national consti
tuition so as to establish the direct
election of United States senator's
The income tax amendment to the nd
tional constitution was ratified by res
olution.
In Labor's Fields.
In the field of labor some of the
most important Legislation for man!
years was enacted In line with sim
liar legislation now being considered
or tried out in other states, n work
ingmen's compensation act became
Law. A state board of awards is ere
ated which makes grants to injured
workmen or their dependents in cas'
of death, provided that the acciden
took place while he was engaged il
pursuing his industrial vocation. Th
money is paid from a state Insurance.
fund to which the employer contrib
utes 80 per cent and the workmen i
per cent. graded schedule o
awards is provided. The law is az
plcable to all employers using fiv
persons or more, but is not compu
sorry. However, If the employer re
fuses to accept the law, the defence
of contributory negligence, feloN
servant and assumed risk are denie
to him.
The working hours of women en-
ployed in any other labor than i
mercantile establishments, hotels @
households are limited to 54 a wee
and not more than ten day. Al
other law makes the use of the unio
label without authority a misdemeaI
or.
Supplemental to the compensation az
is one which requires reports from fa
tory owners to the state inspector {
workshops and factories of any fati
or serious accidents within their e
Establishments. A penalty is provide
for noncompliance with the law. TIL
penalty for failure to provide guar6
for dangerous machinery is increases
AT the last moment a bill was pl
through which gives to the state ia
tory inspectors power to close up ia
tories which have failed to comp
with fire regulations.
One Radical Change.
The most radical change in IL
I'll 10 hot nrnUiHinU 2,
the popular election of United Stat,
senator's according to the Orego
plan Candidates for members of Il
legislature may sign either one of tv
statements. BY the first he pledg
himself to vote for the man for Sc
ator who receives the most vot
at the regular election. BY the 9th
he declares that he will not be boun
but will follow his own judgmeI
The names of the candidates for Sc
ator who have qualified by fling pc
tions are placed upon the ballot of Il
regular election.
Another act provides separate bi
lot in the election of judges. The
are to be no party names or embler
on the ballot. This law is expect
to be of great value of obtaining co
petent judicial officers.
The bill providing for the initiati
and referendum in cities is an i
portant measure. CD Any ordinan
may be submitted to the council
petition of eight per cent. of the gu
flied voters of the municipality.
action is not taken thereon within
days the ordinance shall be submit
to the voters at the next regular ell,
tion unless special election be ca
ed by 15 per cent. Of the electors.
ordinance passed by the majority
this manner is not subject to veto
the mayor e Franchises and spec
ordinances can be referred to the p'
pie for ratification by vote of I
council or upon petition OF eight |
- 10 Eran nnl, fe