The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1913-05-20
OHIOANS THROW
OFF the Yoke
&g Interests No Longer Rule
tho Buckeye State


|
Progressive Administrator. Backed
BY Progressive Legislature, Secures
Passage Of Laws That Bring Back
TO the People Their Long Lost Her.
,taee TO Rule Themsslvss-Mors
Fundamental Legislation Enacted
IN Twelve Weeks Than Was Ever
Put Into the Statutes BY, Any Other
General Assembly.
Ohio. once completely dominated By
the interests, and later ruled by a
greedy crew that stole interest earn
1egs on deposits Of state money. and
also ran the government for its own
emolument, has been freed. 4 pre-.
dominance Of the 'tntsrssts" has been
succeeded BY . prsdeswinanes Of the
psopls. An sntiqvatsd oe~stitutio1
and IN ancient code Of iaws that were
pliant tools to create special pr'vi.
ssges for few have been revised Into
~ flexible instruments to make equal
opportunities for al the people.
Last September long step forward
was taken by the adoption Of the con.
stitutional amendments; but the polit.
ical, social and economic changes OF
greatest magnitude came when a pro
gressive state administration. ia ~
actual working weeks. gave legal ef.
feet to all those amendments and
achieved the proud distinction OF put.
ting more fundamental legislation
into the statues than ever was enact
ed by any other general assembly in
the history Of the nation. Not . sin.
gle bill was passed that will be q
menace to any legitimate Ohio bust
mess interest or enterprise.
Last fall Governor Coz announced
his prediction pledges and promises
were regarded 40 promissory note
given to the people. To-day every ebli'
cation set forth in that note 10 paid.
The personality OF the governor was
the motor power that propelled tho
different agencies engaged In the
work of redemption and fulnllment Of
pledges and promises. Sincere cooper
stion was given by the Democratic ma.
jofity in both houses Of the general
assembly; without II nothing could
have been accomplished.
No Rumors Of Graft.
Undoubtedly the most significant
point about the record Of the Eightieth
General assembly IL that. notwith.
standing far more than the ordinary
amount Of bills affecting big business
interests were introduced and the
need for successful lobbyists was
never more urgent. there was never
rumor during the session that re-
ficcted upon the honesty aud integrity
of single member
Not even a breath Of suspicion
existed against a single soion. II
10 the fret time In many, many
years that charges Of graft and
corruption have not been raised
during . legislative session. A
'draetic anti-iobby law. enacted In
the opening week Of the session.
was largely responsible.
Vast Political Changes.
Political reforms that were designed
10 make rule by the few far more din.
cult and rule by the people much
easier include statewide primary
bill. under which easily controlled
nominating conventions are abolished
and the primary IL substituted for the
nominating OF all public officials. ex'
scept In Townships and villages of less
than 1000 population. In these the
desires OF the electors az to method
Of nominating shall govern. In future
elections, the progressive voters will
Be benefited by . provision which sep
srstes national and state issues by
means OF separate ballots for the tw1
sets OF candidates. A long array OF
presidential elect0rH will no longer
confuse the elector. and he may vote
for the entire group on a party ticke,
by making a single cross. Hereafter
the supreme judges will appoint their
ts,'ht ohuf wv WAN iuItuoI
shortened by taking the state dair,
and food commissioner from the lis
Of elective officers and placing his du
ties under the supervision of the stat,
agricultural commission. a.,
To permit swryOne to participate
there will be half holidays on regula
election days. Precautions have beer
taken TO preserve the rights o
candidates and to guard agains
fraud and corruption by measure
that require the preservation Of al
ballots and pOllbOoks for 30 days
The corrupt practices act has bee
utrenxthened 80 AZ TO guard agains
the buying Of elections.
Home Rule Fos Cities.
~ result VI the home rule amenc
J ment TO the state constitution that wa
adopted last fall by the people, 1
which complete autOnomy was gran
- municipalities. the general assen
bly, enacted law In which the con
a -