The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1913-01-17
FIRST MESSACEOF
. C0v.Cox TO THE
LEGISLATURE.

Columbus, O., Jan. l4.-GovernOr
Cox's first message to tho legislature
proved to be one Of the longest ever
delivered to that BODY. II took up the
various amendments adopted at the
late constitutional election, and point.
Cd out wherein the legislature should.
proceed to the enactment OF laws to
make operative the amendments
adopted. It also recommended much
other legislation that was not made
mandatory by the adoption Of amend.
nents.
strain Of progressiveness runs
throughout the message. and the spir-
Of 1t seems to be fearlessness to
take hold and act regardless Of the
precedents in the state. He makes no
ultra.radical Recommendation but
progressivenees is seen throughout.
He refers a number Of times to Wis
consin laws, and shows q research
into the modern laws Of other states.
The more salient features of the mes
sage follow:
To the Members Of the Senate and
House Of Representatives:
l congratulate you upon your mem.
bership In the general assembly at
one Of the most auspicious moments
IN the history Of our state; at a time
when public intelligence is awakened
~ never before to the real import
ance OF the relation Of government to
our social and economic life, and
when II IL responsive to the organic
changes which our developing civiliza-
ton clearly suggests.
Theory Severely Tested.
The new order Of things puts to the
severest test the theory Of govern.
mental control over the diversified af-
fairs Of the race. but we are strength
ened in the face Of uncommon respon.
abilities by the reflection that every
crisis has been met with successful
achievement. so long as the principle
OF exact Justice to all remained the
controlling consideration.
The governor stated that progress.
sive government. which means con.
structive work along the lines pointed
out by the lamps Of experience and
the higher moral vision Of advanced
civilization. Is now on trial in the
state. After calling attention to the
resources that had been provided for
= thorough test of the principle of an
enlarged social Justice, he set forth
his opinion that vast preponderance
Of the people have faith both in the
wisdom and the certain results of a
constructive progressive program Of
government. The executive said no
fair-minded person will dispute the
logic nor question the equity Of any
plan which contemplates legislative
action entirely within the Limitation
Of suffrage Endorsement. He pointed
out that If the legislature, in the pas
sage Of single law, runs counter to
public desire or interest, the people
have power through the referendum
TO undo it.
Upon basic governmental policies.
he says:
Our state government in an admin.
tstrative sense, to be successful as q
state unit, and through the vigilant
eye OF its police power assist the
communities, must be maintained on
. base having In view these consid.
eratiOns, namely
First-The placing of experts in
theory and practice on the state
boards of administration and regula.
ton.
Second-The orderly and system.
attic combination of departments
which deal with the same subjects
and problems and which are duplicat.
ing and in some instances duplicating
both labor and expense.
Third-The fullest legitimate and
wholesome exercise of the police
power of the state In matters of h,l.
man welfare. health conservation and
food regulation. where the local au.
th0rity Is remiss.
Fourth-The enforcement of the
same requirements az to economy
system and efficiency that join to pri-
vate enterprises.
With these observations with ref.
erence to theories Of governmnt, ad.
ministrative and otherwise, and their
application to present conditions, 30.
cisl and economic, the executive de.
partment would in the exercise of its
constitutional prerogative submit
sundry recommendations
Justified by Conditions.
Conditions not only Justify but de-
mand q drastic anti-lobby law. Any
person interesting himself in legisla
tion will not, II his motive and cause
be Just. object to registering his
name, residence and the matters he IA
sspousing. with the secretary of state
or some other authority designated
BY your body. II his activities be oi
such nature that he does not care to
reveal them In the manner indicated
then the public interest is obviously
endangered. It 10 no more than q
prudent safeguard to have 1t known
what influences are at work with re-
spect to legislation. There ought to
be no temporizing with this situation