The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1913-01-16
MESSAGE Of GOV.
COX TOSOL0NS
MANY RECOMMENDATIONS ARE
MADE TO LAWMAKERS OF
BUCKEYE DOMAIN.
ECONOMY AND. EFFICIENCY
Placing Of Experts In Theory and
Practice on State Boards of Ad-
mlnistratlon and ReguIa.
tion ls Also Urged.

' - N'SS S'bSO'
Columbus, O.-To the members OF
the senate and house of representa-.
tiVes:
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 time
when public intelligence is awakened
as never before to the real import
ance Of the relation of government to
our social and economic life, and
when 1t Is responsive to the organic
changes which our developing civili-
zation clearly suggests.
New Order Of Things.
The new order of things puts to
the severest test the theory of gov
ernmental control over the diversi-
fled affairs of the race, but we are
strengthened in the face of uncom-
mon responsibilities by the reflection
that every crisis has been met with
successful achievement, so long as the
principle Of exact justice to all re-
IL.
Within the last year the constitu-
tion Of the state has been changed in
many important particulars. A con-
vention whose delegates were elected
by the people, without regard to
partisanship framed AZ amendments.
or these 81 were adopted at the spe-
cial election held Sept. 3, 1912. A
part of them go automatically into
effect. Others grant the legislature
discretionary authority, while a third
GLASS are mandatory in nature and
are by common acceptance regarded
rs command from the people. There
can be no justification for any depar-
ture from the intent of these amend
ments in the detail of legislative COM
pliance. Much has been said for and
against the constitutional changes, but
no unprjudiced person fails to recog-
niZe that their adoption is distinct
symptom Of social and economic con.
ditions. If the active forces which
opposed several of the so-called major
amendments had directed like energy
ln cooperation with the constitution
al convention the situation would
have been improved, at least with re-
spect to a fuller measure of conf
'dence in the conditions to be de-
veloped by the departures we are
taking from the beaten paths.
This observation prompts the further
thought that If every interest ex-
hibits patriotic cooperation in the
legislative task ahead of you, com.
pliance with changed conditions and
public sentiment will be greatly facili.
tated and the state will enjoy an era
of social and industrial peace, un-
known in the last two decades at
least.
Experts on, State Boards.
Our state government in an admin.
istrative sense, to be successful as a
unit, and through the vigilant eye of
its police powers assist the communi-
ties, must be maintained on a base
having in view these considerations,
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 prob
lens and which are duplicating 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 hui
man welfare, health conservation and
food regulation, where the local au-
thority is remiss.
Fourth-The enforcement of the
same requirements as to economy,
system and efficiency that join to
private enterprises.
With these observations the execu-
tive department would in the exercise
of it's constitutional prerogative sub
nit sundry recommendations.
The platform adopted by the Dem
ocratic party in convention at Toledo,
June As, 1912, is the contract made
between the people on the one hand
and the state officers and majority
members of the legislature on the
other. Every instinct of common hon.
esty demands that it be carried out
in good faith without interference
from other legislation. The specifica-
tions in the covenant are:
First-''A short ballot in :he Sc
lection of administrative officers as
a means for insuring greater scrutiny |
in the selection of public officials and
for fixing and centralizing RESPONSE
,bility."
The purpose of this is to simplify
voting. The suffrage responsibility |
Is so vital that confusion at the polls |
should be reduced to the nearest pos
slbIe minimum. The ballot should |
be shortened by abolishing as elect |
i've the less important offices.
Home Rule for Cities.
Second-"Separate ballots for state
and national officers"
This is induced by the desire to
separate two distinct issues at the
election booth, and the wisdom of the |
suggestion is obvious.
Third--"Home rule for cities"
This principle is now part of our
constitution. The home rule amend
ment, in addition to authorizing cities |