The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1912-09-27

Winner in the Pittsburgh Post
the very essence of self-government.
Retaliation Of Utilities Urged.
"The fourth and fifth declarations
refer to taxation, and for the purpose
of simplihcation will be treated to.
gether One provides for the imme-
date valuation of the property, tangi-
BILE and intangible OF all public utili-
ties in the state to the end that rates
Of service to the public shall be based
upon actual values and not fictitious
capitalization. The taxation pro-
gram of Governor Harmon has met
with public favor. Our duty is clear
to continue the basic principle which
forces economy through reasonable
limitation of the tax rate. Certain re-
flnements in the Smith 1 per cent tax
| law doubtless are suggested by expert
ence. but fundamentally it is sound
and will work distinct public SER
vice. The adoption Of the constitu-
tional amendment authorizing fran
chise, inheritance and income taxes
opens the door for still further prog
ress in tax matters.
I "a portion of this revenue should be
left with the counties when collected.
| The pars reserved by the state will
enable It, with other regular incomes,
| to abolish entirely the state levy. The
tax commission appointed by Cover
nor Harris recommended among other
things the abolition of the state levy.
Local tax burdens will by this plan be
lessened and the whole system of tax
alton will be simplifed.
with this achieved the taxing
power of the state would be left
in the hands of the people who pay
the taxes and are, therefore. directly
interested in the way public funds are
collected and expended. In the mat
ter of assessing at full value public
utilities, the thing aimed at is tho
vicious practice of overcapitalization
With all public utilities. the govern
ment, state and federal, is insisting
upon a reasonable rate being charged
to the public The reasonableness Of
the rate can not be determined with
out first ascertaining the value OF the
property. If the rates charged are
commensurate with the real valuation
then that valuation should go on the
tax duplicate. This law will automat-
ically correct rates. squeeze the water
from fictitious issues of stock, and al
together work a wholesome reform TO
which no reasonable man can object
FaVors |. G. r.
"The Initiative and Referendum
amendment was endorsed since which
time it has been ratified by the people
by big plurality. Some legislation
is needed to put it into use, and this
should be done without in the least
restricting the operation the state has
clearly shown it wants.
added vigilance in the protection
of women and children in workshops
and further attention to the hours of
This is in simple harmony with the
best thought of the nation, which has
awakened to the Importance of con-
serving the race.
Popular Election of Senators.
There is also carried reaffirma-
tion of the proposed amendment to
our federal constitution providing for
the popular election Of United States
senators. Ohio should ratify this
measure with such dispatch and en-.
thusiasm as to correctly represent
how our people feel about it.
Good roads were endorsed in these
words: We favor legislation looking
to the improvement Of the roads and
highways of the state. This seems
to be in harmony with public thought
on the subject The good roads amend
ment to the constitution was defeat
ed. not because the people are op-
posed to an extensive and vigorous
program Of improvement, but from n
very manifest fear that the big bond
issues might lead to extravaganza
"a most important project is out
lined in plank in our platform which
commends the organization and la
bors of the board of control, urges the
abandonment of the present peniten-
tiary, the building of a new one, and
its conduct along the advanced lines
of penal reform. This is a subject |
which l have studied for some years,
and which will receive vigorous atten-
tion should the executive responsible
ity be placed on me. From many
our penitentiary is dis
grace to civilization. The state should
at once proceed in the utilization Of
the large tract 1t owns in central Ohio
If 1t is not now used to good purpose.
II it is. then the state should buy not
less than 1,500 acres of land-the To-
cation being determined by fertility
Of soil centrality and shipping facil-
ties. The erection of buildings could
proceed in units, so that the drain on
public funds would not be burden
some. The convicts should be en-
Dloyed in such activities as will rem
Ter labor the chief element of cost
n what they produce. For iilustra-
ion, If they manufacture within the
Institution goods in which the first
cost Of material is considerable. then
We can not advantageously turn to ac-
,ount the labor involved. The farm
activity is suggested for three rea-
sons: First, the demand for foodStuffs
rom other state Institutions; second, |
he prepondering element of labor !
'ost in production, and third, the san
tary and moral benefits to the con-
,icts. We need an entirely new base
# operations.
THE present policy suggests
leither charity for the unfortu- |