The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1911-06-09
Review of Its Work

ture that has convened since the adop-
tion Of our present constitution in 1851.
Review of Its Work
l. The ratification of the income tax
amendment, refused by the last Re
publican legislature, was among the
first of its credItable performances.
2. The passage of the non partisan
election ofjudges act in response to the
pledges of our party to the people of
Ohio is, il is believed, measure
fraught with good. This act eliminates
all judicial Offices from justice of the
peace to the courts of last resort from
the domain Of partisan politics and di-
vorcos the bench from the clutches of
party bosses.
3. The Green bill providing compen-
sation for all injured workmen from
fund made up by contributions by
both employees and employers is anoth-
or merltorious measure. This act,
while not compulsory in its terms lit
could not be and be constitutional-is
practically compulsory because il de-
nies to non-contributing employers the
| right to assert the defences of contrib
utory negligence, assumed risk, or the
fellow-servant doctrine.
4. The Oregon plan for the nomina-
tion and election of United States SEN
ators by direct vote of the people, thus
anticipating the proposed amendment
to the Federal Constitution and limit
ing the function of the State Legisla-
ture to a mere ratification of the peo-
pies choice, was another meritorous
measure enacted. Ohio is now one of
the four states of the Union which has
written this desirable law into its
statutes.
5. A corrupt practices act so drastic
in its terms that vote bsying either in
primaries or election will be more dan
gerous than burglary, is ready for the
Governors signature.
6. A Central Board of Control for the
nineteen State institutions to take the
place of nineteen separate boards of
trustees with their corps of employees.
This act places subordinate employees
in the institutions under civil service
and eliminates politics entirely from
their management by making the man.
aging board strictly bipartisan. 1t is
confidentially believed that this act
will result in a saving to the tax-pay-
ers of Ohio-of quarter of a million
dollars a1nually-and in addition rem
der more efficient service.
7. An act to stimulate the industry |
of farming, by requiring agriculture to
be taught in all Ohio village and coun- |
try schools.
s. An act abolishing the boards of |
Infirmary- Directors of three members |
each in every county of the state and |
fro CT fhgfr tn |
County Commissioners, thus doing |
away with 254 Office holders, with a |
saving to the counties of the state of |
probably $275,OOO Mercer County in
the neighborhood of $1,000 year.
o. An act providing for the construc-
ton of a woman's reformatory-thus |
segregating the criminals of both sexes
and also an act placing the girls in |
the state correctional institution under |
the control of women.
10. An act providing that delegates
to the Ohio Constitutional convention,
to be held in 1912, and which will re-
write Ohio's organic laws, shall be
nominated by petition only and voted
for on strictly non-partisan ballot.
This act also provides for the separate
of the liquor license ques-
ton. 1t is believed that this act is
model of its kind, and marks a dis
tinct epoch in advanced legislation.
II. An act providing for the limita-
tion of the tax levy to one per cent and
fixing an ultimate limit of one-and-a-
half per cent, even by vote of the peo-
pie. The purpose Of the act is to re-
move the unjust share Of the burden of
taxation that has heretofore been borne
by real estate, and to put on the tax
duplicate at its approximate valuation
all the public utilities, including rail-
roads, banks and large business con-
Germs, and at the same time bring a
larger return Of intangible property.
IL. An act providing for the regula-
ton of public utilities with reference
to their stock and bond issues, rates,
and service. This particular
act is placed on the statute books with
a feeling of pride, it being asserted by
its sponsors that in fairness to the pub
lie, no law of a similar nature In any
state of the union, especially New Jer-
sey, Wisconsin, New York or Massa-
ahusetts is its equal.
Where Honor Is Due
The enactment of these several laws
Is the work of accomplishment of Gov
ernor Harmon, secured by persistent
and tireless efforts without anything
0f the spectacular or theatrical. Obsta-
,les of seemingly insurmountable
nature were encountered, only to be
inally overcome, and the fruits of vic
tory cannot be withheld from Governor
Harmon.
In his work thus set forth and ac-
he was obstructed at every
urn by strong and powerful Repub-
lean minority, whose constant efforts
seemed to. be to prevent the passage of
hese various laws.
There were two notable exceptions
o the course of the conduct OF the Re
publican mombers of tho Senate, to
whom much commendation is due
senator Tod, of Mahoning, and Senator