The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1913-12-26
PROGRESSIVE LAWS
ON OHIO'S BOOKS
Governor Cox Tells Why His State
Feels That it is One OF
the Best.

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Dec. 26.-Claim- |
ing that Ohio has today on it's statute
books more real progressive legisia-
ton, recently enacted, than many 9TH
er states OF the union. Governor Jas.
NJ. Cox outlined through the United
Press, in the following article the pro-
gram which Ohio's legislature has put
through.
BY Governor James n. Cox, OF Ohio
written for the United Press.l
Upon Ohio's statute books today
are written fiftyssix OF the most pro-
gressiye laws in the nation, evolved
from fifty-six campaign pledges to the
people Of Ohio before the last cleo
ton Thanks to body of men COM
posing Ohio's general assembly, SO
patriotic spirit that to oppose the
right OF the people would be treason,
Ohio is enabled today to cali herself
among the foremost of the states en-
joying the freedom of the peoples
prerogatiyes. am grateful for this
opportunity to tell TIE people of the
nation what Ohio has already done IN
the past eventful twelyemonth. Brief
ly:
The Warnes tax law takes taxation
out OF politics, creates uniformity anc
will bring to light every dollar OF tax
able property in Ohio. 1t provides an
appointive taxing official in every
county. Local political chickering's.
influences and obligations are effec-
lively eliminated.
Tie mothers pension law levies q
pittance OF tax on the comfortable for
the benefit of the needy-the mothers
and their dependents. 1t will save
many families from want in every one
of Ohio's So counties the first year
/ The second year we estimate it will
increase in effectiveness fifty per
cent
/ Ohios compulsory workmen's COM
pensation law is step in advance
over all OF them. 1t. provides sys-
TEN OF claim investigation that de-
fees fraud. 1t gives both workman
and employer square deal at neg
ligible cost to each and clears away
masses of costly court litigation. Its
compulsory feature affords every
workingman its benefit and insures
protection to his dependents.
The new liquor license act eliminat
ed 1904 dives and joints. 1t put OFT
Of business first of all the wine room
SO frequently patronized by young girls
and women and is a step toward high
er morals, less debauchery, white slav
cry, and common evils eminating from
! the influences Of liquor. 1t brings t.
light day of business that has thrfvet
in the dark. 1t absolutely eliminate
Objectionable liquor traffic and limit
: the trade to one saloon for every fiyl
!. hundred af population in counties nov
9 known as wet"
: Our blue sky law" operated by til
state banking department abolishe
! the shady operations of illegitimat
land sharks, wild cat speculations an
J. fake banking institutions. 1t place
$ sole control in the right place.
9 Boys under 16 years and girls unde
5 Is years of age are barred frol
! health racking employments, an evil s
q common in most states, by Ohio
g newly enacted child labor law.
= Ohio today has a general code I
e good roads laws. Most important
q the Hites law, providing for half
y mill levy in every county to be used
N the construction of twelve main ma
le ket roads and system of inter-cou
" try roads connecting every sectit
with fine paved highway. A sum
eight hundred thousand dollars is M
$. in the state treasury waiting to
spent. 1t provides for the raising
$3,500,O00 annually for ten years.
will free Ohio from mudnoles and pI
vide highways that will reduce t.
cost of transportation of farm pre-
, ucts.
| The housewives market basket
now protected by an act prohibitil
l combinations to fix prices and prov
Z ing that violators shall be fined a
4 sent to the state penitentiary. The
4 is also now no loophole for the deal
I who uses short measures.
! The state has appropriated a
q pie funds to fight the great VIII
plague. 1t has in addition consider
the general health precautions me
amply than ever before. Upon Obi
statute books were also placed t
past year. laws granting municipaliti
= the option of home rules in any prac
cal firm; creating an efficient ind
trial commission; eliminating polit
- through the civil service adjusti
and simplifying court procedure; a
q quate filed protection; providing
thorough investigation Of farm or
it's; giving the state board Of cha
ties general supervision Of the care
all dependent, neglected and del
quent children; creating state pc
Tertiary open air farm to be constrl
ed and worked by convicts; establi
ing elementary day school for une