The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1913-01-23
DONOVAN OHIO
ASSEMBLY LETTER
MEASURES TO PROTECT THE DE.
FEcTIVE, IMBEcILE AND DE-
PENDENT INTRODUCED.
POPULAR VOTE FOR SENATORS
Legislature Ratlfies the Proposed
Amendment to the United States
i. Constitution-Short Ballot
Bills Appear.
BY o. A. DONOVAN,
Our Special Columbus Correspondent.

BY .. a. DONOVAN,
Our Special Columbus Correspondent.
Columbus.-So-called paternalistic
measures appeared in large num-
bers In the general assembly on
January II. Most of them propose
to reach out the parental arm Of the
state to protect and shield the de-
fective, the imbeciie, and the depend
ant. The majority Of such measures
have been called in the past Social.
istic." They do not carry that sobri-
Quet now.
Take Care Of Drunkard.
A bill introduced by Fitzpatrick Of
Trumbull county would send the hab-
itual drunkard to the saylum instead
of to Jail. 1t would similarly treat
the victim of drugs. 1t would give
the probate court in each county the
right to commit Just as it has the
right now to commit insane persons.
The drunkard or the drug victim
would first be given the right of hear
ing in his own behalf. His first COM
mitment would be for only six months
and if the management Of the asylum
were convinced before the expiration
of that time that the victim was
cured, he would have the authority
to release him. The second commit
ment could not be for more than two
years and the same right to release
before the expiration of the time
limit would hold good. It would have
to be proven before any such person
were committed, however, that he
was not of dangerous or bad charac
ter excepting for his habit of drink
or his addiction to drugs.
Another bill aimed at the drug evil
Is that presented by Kessler oi
Adams county. 1t would prevent the
sale of hypodermic needles and syr
inges except upon prescription oi
physicians. Several similar measures
are being prepared. The state boart
of administration is proposing to ster
ilize persons incurably insane and tt
commit to the penitentiary for life al
confirmed criminals. The American
Civic Reform Union of Cleveland hal
in preparation bills to compel thu
presentation of stringent certificates
of health by all persons contemplating
marriage. These certificates woulC
have to declare the person who'll.
free from any communicable diseas
before a marriage certificate could b
issued.
Cover Wide Range of Subjects.
The bills introduced cover wild
range of subjects. One by Wonder
heide of Montgomery would. proven
any misrepresentation in public at
Vertising. For example, this measur
would penalize the merchant VIII
made false statements about the cos
or the character of his goods in tn
newspapers. Another measure, b
Hoaglin of Paulding county, woul
: protect quail in Ohio during the mex
seven years. Another by Warnes {
Holmes would exempt from taxatio
lands covered by mortgage and ia
the mortgage in the hands of tn
holder. Furthermore it would allo'
che mortgagor credit Of half tn
amount of the mortgage on the ia
return. Lowry of Henry count
. would not allow private banks to us
the term bank" in connection wit
their institution unless they submit
! ted to state inspection and regulation
Short ballot measures, sponsored
Gov. Cox, made their appearance
, They seek to make appointive by tn
governor all state officers, except til
lieutenant governor. The idea is
. have the people elect the governC
I and lieutenant governor only and a
, low the governor to select his ow
, cabinet, as the president of the Unite
States now selects his under official
, This will require an amendment
She state constitution, since some
, the elective officers are establishe
/ in their positions by the fundament
law of the state. The argument a
vanced for the so-called short ball
is that the people will thereby be +
heved of the responsibility of stud
ing the qualifications Of several OF
GERS and will have greater opportu
9 ity to study the qualifications of Il
G candidates for governor.
Senate Passes Anti.Lobby Bill.
The program Of Gov. Cox to ha'
The anti-lobbyists bill! rushed throu,
Q both houses met disaster in Il
:, house. The opposition to the plan
/ quick action was led by Represent
r tive Kramer of Highland county, wi
}, declared that he had been sent to c
lumbus ito use his own noodle" al
not to let somebody else do his thin
ing for him" After Bigelow of CT
einnati had failed in close conte
.. to amend the bill SO as to keep t
D %NNANNANNNNN%O
IS Senate Bills introduced.
BY Mr.. Lloyd-Providing for t
d establishing and maintaining of ciN
q and social centers in the state.
{. BY Mr.. Moore-Providing scree
N to protect motormen on electric ca
70 during the entire year.