The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1912-03-22
CONSERVATIVES
IN The SADDLE
Force BigGIOw Radicals to Make
Concessions.
CROSSER MEASURE MENAcED

President OF Constitutional Conven-
ton Seeks to PIaeate Liquor Ii
cense Adherents by Saying That
Amendment viii Be Proposed-is
Said TO Be Author Of Proposed
Change In Lampson Anti-single
Tax Amendment.
Columbus, o., March 19.-Led by
President Bigelow, radical initiative
Ind referendum delegates to the con-
stitutional convention beat a partial
retreat, but further concessions are
desired by the conservative men
In the convention, who at once
laid plans for an attack on the new
proposition brought forward, which
seeks to modify the Lampson anti
single tax amendment.
In addition, delegates heard that
the liquor license forces are threat
ening to hold up the initiative and
referendum unless they are granted
concessions on the Anderson license
proposal adopted two weeks ago.
President Bigelow admitted that an
amendment would be offered to the
Anderson proposal by which the
number Of saloons might be reduced
gradually instead of at once, as
would be provided by the Anderson
proposal. He did not discuss the
possibility of the wet lobby exerting
its influence in the I. and II. fight.
Delegates began to fear that the
two propositions will be dependent
on each other. The committee on
| phraseclogy now has the Anderson
proposal and Is waiting until the
| cities home rule proposal passes Sec
ond reading before taking 1t up that
| 1t may harmonize the two.
Delegates declared their constitu-
ents at home are growing uneasy
with the fear of radicalism. Dele
gate Stevens Of Tuscarawas, an |.
and r. caucus member. expressed the
| opinion that the whole proposal
would be given back to the l. and r.
committee to be modified. He con-
' firmed others in declaring that the
sentiment for an indirect or legisla-
tive initiative is growing all over the
state. Delegates echoed the sent.
jiments of lRaNsa DE-. 9 GLADDEN. that the
defeat of the unamended proposal is
| likely at the polls.
| Could Not Check Desertions.
| The retreat on the Crosser 7. and
4
It became evident to supporters that
the unamended proposal was beaten.
Desertions from the provisions of the
propose, could not be checked even
by strenuous work by President Big.
Glow.
The retreat was apparent when
Mr.. Miller of Crawford offered sub.
stitute to take the place of the Cros-
ser proposal and the Halfhill and
Lampson amendments. 1t is said
that it was drafted by President Big
Glow himself. Adherents of safe
guarded initiative and referendum
said it was surrender of principle
on the part of delegates who de-
clared the l. and r. should contain
no alluSion to single tax.
The proposal would bar use Of the
I. and r. to secure single tax In the
state as a whole, but would leave
each county, each municipality and
any district in county outside oi
municipalities free to adopt single tax
ON a majority vote. Delegates who
have been insisting on an inhibition
against single tax in the proposal de
clared the new plan would never be
adopted. The substitute section was
pronounced a masterpiece Of ingenu
ity. II is substantially the same as
that secured by w. S. U'Ren Of Ore
gon. leading single taxer on the Pa
cific coast.
Because Of the uncertainty OF the
situation In the convention, the de
bate dragged tiresomely. Judge
Okey of Noble finished his plea FOL
an unrestricted !. and r. Delegates
Kramer, Fackler, Miller Of Crawford
and McClelland spoke.