Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-05-07
PROGRESSIVE LAWS
OHIO DURING
What the Buckeye State Has
Done to Try Out New Gov /.
ornamental Theories.
.HIS is the day of the progressive
movement In our government.
from the national capital down
~ tho fouoShip center Wheth-

~NH1S Is the DAY or the progressive
movement In our government.
from the national capital down
to the township center. Wheth-
er the great mass of new and reyoiu-
tonary legislation now being enacted
will be found good. as its authors and
supporters assert, or unsound and def
rimental. as its opponents predict, it
must be admitted that the movement
k making political history. not only
for the United States. but for the
world as well.
Among the states that have been
helping make that history few can
claim bigger net results than Ohio,
whose general assembly has recently
passed so many progressive measures
that it seems at first sight to have al
most revolutiontzed the laws Of the
state.
Many Other commonwealth. Of
course, are working along the same
line, but as an illusra ton Of concrete
achievement no better illustration
than Ohio could be selected at present.
It is interesting. first OF all. TO note
that the Ohio lawmakers have given
legal effect to ffty-fve Of the ffty-sis
specific legislative reco concentrations
made By Governor James N. Cox in
his message to the assembly. The one
recommendation which did not get
through was one contained in the state
Democratic platform proposing home
rule in taxation. 1t was suspected of
squirting at the single tax, and the
two resolutions TO give effect TO it We're
voted down.
Bewildering Changes.
Changes that are Dew ilderi ng IN mag
nitude. politically revolutionary in
their departure from the past. mark
the three months work OF the general
assembly Twelve months ago the
state. from the progressiyes stand
point, was a backward one 50 far as
its constitution and laws were con
cerned A review OF the laws enacted
since discloses that the commonwealth
has been taken from the list of con
seryative states and placed in the pro-
gressive column.
One Of the important measures en-
acted By the assembly provided for
state wide primary and sounded the
knell Of all nominating corrections By
requiring that all elective officials.
state. county, municipal and township.
except in political subdivisions Of less
than 1000 population. shall be non2i-
mated by primary.
Separate state and national ballots
were provided. and hereafter Ohioans
will vote for the entire list Of presi-
dental electors on ticket by making
a single cross Next fall the people
will vote on the proposed short ballot.
constitutional amendments providing
for the APPOINTMENT Of all state officers
and to authorize the shortening Of
county and township ballots by giving
the general assembly power to desis-
nate what officials in these subdivi-
s;ons shall be elected and what ap-
pointed.
The removal Of public officials, judges
and members o. the general assembly
was a weapon given the people 10 be
used by them in their fight against
dereliction Of duty and misconduct IN
Office. Half holidays were created on
election days 50 as 10 give an al op-
portunity to participate il the selec-
ton Of public officials. and the corrupt
practices act was strengthened so as To
prevent the purchasing Of elections.
Mothers Pension Law.
The Cox adherents point with pride
to a mothers pension law. under which
a maximum Of SO per month may be
given to needy mothers for the first
child under fourteen years OF age and
So- = aiS
child under that age. The money is 70
be raised by levy. which must not eS-
coed one-half OF per cent. and i must
appear that II is TO the interest Of the
child to remain with its mother. les
tinouy must show that without the
neneion the family would be broken.
Workmen and their dependents will
be compensa ted for injuries by indus
trial accidents through compulsory
workmen's compensation. The fund ls
to be raised by the employers, laborers
contributing nothing, and all Ohio PEG
pie employing more than fTe persons
must pay into it 4 state industrial
commission was created 70 consolidate
the activities or seven different labor
departments that have been working
without CeaID " DIh Gnu W Sc'Ot !iAiS- &c
these activities.
This commission will FIX the hours Of
employment for women and children.
and II will gather data for minimum
wage law for women.
Closely allied with these measures
is a series Of bills recognizing the
penal system Of the state. Provision
was made for the transfer of the peni-
Tertiary prisoners from the dirt and
crime Of the old institution in the heart
OF the manufacturing district OF the
capital city to a new penitentinry to be
built in the pure and wholesome at
mosphere Of the country.
Heretofore juvenile judges in the diff
ferent counties have been committing
delinquent and defective children to
state institutions, and wrong establish
ments have been selected many times.
AZ a remedy a state board Of admins,
tration having charge Of institutions is
TO be given custody Of juveniles SO
committed from the counties for the
purpose Of studying their needs in an
observation cottage and then to send
them to the institution best equipped
10 give the needed treatment and care
For the convenience and protection