The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1913-01-17

sndes enc department. 70 BE- Known
a. the agricultural department and
shows wherein tho 10 now much du-
plfcation Of fort His recommends
ticn enbrs, ~ = loader nsld for the
State univ, 1T, Z, that he believes
the state $! ~, ID tte university to
6rca.Of at a.tast. lie shows the
good effect upon legislation and the ad-
ministratIon and affairs OF the wiscon,
Gin university and sees no reson why
ehe Ohio university should not be
given the power. through co-opera,
ton, thus aiding this state.
Favors Minimum Wage.
Upon the subject Of . minimum
wage, he says:
The newly amended constitution
gives to the state the right 70 adopt
the minimum wage. and to pass lnws
for the general welfare Of the en-
ploye. There should be q common un>
derstanding OF this subject as de.
vel0ped by a survey Of the wage ques-
tion. ] am convinced there should bs
no law passed until after this IL ac-
complished except TO provide for OBJ
viousiy unjust conditions affecting
tho wages Of women and children.
The labor departments OF the indus
trial commission. II II Is established,
could doubtless make this survey
without adding to the public expense.
Il II q question Of live concern. and I
regret that the Information 10 not at
hand 30 that a legislative remedy
might be applied without delay. II
10 recommended that your body pass .
resolution empowering such agency
~ In your judgment seems best to
make the Investigation.
Recommendation are also made for
the establishment Of a state printery
the building Of an office structure a.
an economy-the state now spending
more than $4,000 q year for rent, and
for the regulation OF moving picture
shows. He then proceeds:
The commission appointed by Gov
ernor Harmon to codify all subjects
which relate to the child, has devel.
oped many interesting aspects, and I
am convinced that its suggestions can
profitably claim the most careful con.
sideration Of your body. The COM
mission takes up the vital subject Of
the widows relief bill, and while II
has not unanimously agreed as to the
desirability Of such law. it is con-
ceded that should any be passed, II
should provide:
For the partial support OF women
whose husbands are dead or become
permanently disabled for work by rea-
sons Of physical or mental inHrmity.
or whose husbands are prisoners.
the mothers OF children under the age
Of fourteen years. and such mothers
and children as have legal residence
IN any county Of the state"
Limited to Six Months.
The order making an allowance
should not be effective for a longer
period than six months. but, upon ex-
piration, the time could be extended.
provided the home has first been Wis.
tied and conditions investigated The
child or children must be living with
the mothar. The allowance should be
made Only when in the absence of IL
the mother would be required to
work regularly away from her homo
and children. The mother must be a
proper person, morally, physically and
mentally for the bringing up of thu
children. The purpose Of such q law
Is to keep together families OF wild
ows and small children, that might
otherwise be broken up, the belief be-
Ing that II is cheaper to maintain
these children in their homes than In
public institutions, and that they are
much better off with their mothers.
The moral anad humanitarian consid-
erations make strong appeal to public
favor. The great majority of juven-
lie judges believe the law should be
| passed, but that IL should be felony
rather than a misdemeanor for any
person to attempt to obtain an allow
Rnce for any one not entitled TO it.
The state inspector OF workshops and
factories is enthusiastically In favor
OF the law. He reports that in certain
cases he has investigated, where the
child labor law has been violated.
employment is rendered necessary by
the absolute dependence of a Wild
owed mother. In such Instances, the
growth OF the child, physically, intel.
lectually and morally is interfered
with, and these are considerations
which must be measured on a higher
footing than the items of public ex.
pense. Under existing law, the father
who consigns his children to the coun.
ty childlren's home, because of his in.
ability to maintain satisfactory do.
mestic arrangement, cannot pay the
county for this service. Instances
have been reported where the parent
has desired to do this, but there is no
enabling statute. This one item would
help to bear the expense OF giv'ne
aid to dependent widows I recon-.
mend this whole subject for the very.
careful consideration Of your honor.
able body.
a. ~ a..