The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1911-04-14
Todd's Enort.

hNhN = fAuOIl-
The Democratic majority. as usual.
was opposed by the Republican min
ority In their efforts to put forth the
bill as desired by the governor. Led
by Senator Todd of Franklin, a Re-
publican, the minority members ma de
a vigorous fight to strike out the non
partisan feature OF the bill That
was the vital clause I'm the measure
This battle was waged to maintain
the dominance of political parties
il was a struggle to obtain an advan-
tage for the Republican party for in
this state with a normal @. O. p.
minority OF $4,000. Republicans
would of course control the constitu-
tional convention. and would be ex-
pected to wrltefa constitution in the
Interests OF the Republican party.
The demand os the people for "a
constitution written by men who are
not subject TO the environments which
have crippled so many public docu-
ments was subOrdinated BY Repub-
lican senators for party expediency.
The work of the Democratic gem
eral assembly thus far although the
session viii not end for several weeks
does not suffer when compared with
the results obtained during the en-
tire session of the 1910 Republican
general assembly Indeed the work
Of the Democrats stands forth as
highly progressive when compared
to the record of broken promises and
reactionary policy Of the 1910 sesi
sion
What Republicans Did.
l-Passed Langdon tax bill Great
In the state tax commission. largely
as a result Of agitation by Cover
nor Harmon and Democratic general
assemblymen.
Passed the Norris employers
Liability bill. a measure that was
neither satisfactory to manufacturers
or union labor
These constitute the only big
measures, FOR which there was
state wide demand. enacted by the
Republican general assembly. OF
course, they passed many other bills
but they were OF minor importance.
Among the important bills defeat
ed by the Republican general as
sembly We're the non-partisan Judi
ciary bill, measlire providing for
competitive biddinG of state funds.
the public utilities bill shorter hours
for employed women. while the CEN
tral board of control bill was prac-
tically beaten by eliminating all but
four institutions from the manage
ment of the central board. Many
futile efforts were made TO get an
Initiative and referendum bill through
the Republican general assemblies.
No one, with the exception OF form
er Republican legislators who helped
make the record. will dispute the
fact that II Is a bad one.
| What Democrats Have Done.
Ten measures were promised IL
that portion OF the Democra tic plat
form relating to state issues. Foui
Of these pledges have been redeem,
ed, and the others undoubtedly VIII
be before the session adjourns
Pledges Redeemed.
l1-Legislatlve actin looking to
ward a convention of the states I,
make possible the direct election o
United States senator's
2-Rauhcation OF the propose,
10th hederal constitutional amend
ment allowing congress 10 collec
taxes on incomes.
3-Extension OF 1.-THE teaching o
agriculture.
LAW for the election OF Judge
on non-partisan ballot.
Four other pledges. the public util
ity the shorter working hours 70
women. initiative and referendum
and the one per cent tax rate bill
VIII be redeemed within the mex
week. The women's bin has passeI
the senate and is In the house. Will
the ] per cent rate bill. the initiativ
and referendum and the public utili
ties bills are In the senate after hav
Ing passed the house. The other tw
remaining platform measures. on
providing for the nomination o
United states senator's by poular vote
and the other a uniform text boo
law both occupy points OF vantage
and will be acted on before the ses
sion adjourns. A bill for the com
petitive bidding OF state funds, de
psigned to stop grating OF interes
Earnings, the central board Of con
troll hill, much stronger than any IN
Republicans would have agreed 4
have passed both houses The cen