The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1912-06-07

colleagues were compelled TO follow.
He was able to disclose, through the
appointment Of Democratic chief
engineer, that the public works Of the
state we're being used as promoting
agency for the Republican political
machine.
State Funds to Highest Bidder.
The state treasurer found that the
public funds Of the state had been
for years put into the hands Of ia.
vored banks Ivy his predecessors, for
which no interest was paid save such
Us was paid and pocketed by the ON.
cal himself. Treasurer Creamer i'm.
mediately invited bids from all the
banks Of the state. had . public let.
ting TO the highest bidders. and se.
cured an average Of AZ per cent for
the state money deposited In bank.
Under that system he has earned for
the people on these deposits in three
years over $547 900 IN interest. which
represents Just that many dollars less
to be taken in taxes from the pockets
Of the people.
The Democratic legislature, re.
spending to a sense Of duty and to
meet conditions following years Of
legislative neglect, with the Cover.
ror's help, often At his insistence and
demand. wrote laws into the statute
books creditabls beyond the record
Of q generation; enacted laws under
which state board Of administra.
ton row controls all the penal and
charitable institutions of the state.
The cficiency and economy Of this
change from 10 boards Of nearly 100
men to q single board Of four mem.
bers has already saved the state more
than 100000: has brought vastly i'm.
proved conditions to the unfortunate
wards Of the state; while uniform and
improved systems Of buying and &C.
counting have been adopted which
mean millions saved to the taxpayers
In the coming years. These institu
tions have been for years the nucleus
Of the Republican machine. They are
now freed from the spoils system.
The powers of the state railroad
commission have been broadened out
so that all public utilities are under
its control so far as concerns their
general relations with the public. I'm.
Ger their care and direction the lives
and property Of the public are safe.
guarded as never before. The day
Of stock watering and bond imitation
Of these companies is over In Ohio;
protection Is afforded the buyer Of
their securities against dishonest
schemes. Extortionate rates and nm.
Just discrimination can no longer be
perpetrated by corporations.
In the field Of dangerous labor. .
most important and useful step has
been taken in the creation Of stats
liability board Of awards. providins
FOR payment q inasnnity n ease Of
accidental, in5My % The smploys.
This erslisl u nigfegtnne comes from
. fund paid 3oladv hy employers and
employees. 49, -as
The principle sf the initiative and
referendum II given effect and oppor.
tunity for thorough test under most
favorable conditions n municipalities
under the Crosssr oct, signed by the
governor. Its successful operation
whom demonstrated In states less
populous. with social and Industrial
conditions less complex than in this
state, can lead the way to It's sue.
cessful application in Ohio.
One Per Cent Tax Limit.
As the one act which is more IA.
miliar to you than all the others,
name the per cent tax rate limit,
Vital a. this rate limit Is. 1t has
other elements as important as the
low and permanent rate. viz. II
places a limit on the oficials who
spend the peoples money, provides
. sure and wholesome check on ex.
travagance.
Property is now appraised every
four years instead Of every ten years:
In the first four year period for which
8 valuation Of appraisement stands
not more money may be spent than
was spent In 1910. plus q small added
percentage TO allow for reasonable
AuCiCooCu uCCuSs ANVAts tuC iCtutun
OF real property for taxation are
largely increased by fair, honest
values, and this Is being generally
and uniformly done. SO that each tax
payer. individual or corporate, feels
that he 10 receiving the same Impair
tial treatment as the others.
Likewise. are the returns Of all
kinds Of personal property largely in
creased by the owners thereof. be
cause the rate is now held to figure
which leaves fair margin Of earn
Ing from the investments In which
such property Is largely found. Ohlo's
taxing system, prior to the tax re
form. had been for years so grossly
wretched that we can easily claim fol
II. considering her generally high
class citizenship, the questionable
honor Of being the worst in the I'm
ion. The burden Of all its injustice
and unfairness resting on the shoul
ders Of the taxpayers Of the state in
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