Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1913-04-25
Laws Passed to Govern State
are Most Drastic.
THE ASSEMBLY MAKES RECORD
Large Per Cent of the Laws Passed
BY the Legislature Was Under
the Direct Supervision Of
Governor Cox.
D. A. DONOVAN.
Special Columbus Correspondent.
Columbus, Ohio.


lutionary and SO sweeping as
to fairly stagger comprehen-
sion follow in the wake of the first
session OF the S0th general assembly.
So swiftly have big measures been
sent through that even the closest
observers are rubbing their eyes in
bewilderment at the Kaleidoscope
changes that are wrought. 1t is con-
ceded on all sides that in rapid tran
sition from so-called conservative to
so-called progressive form of govern
ment, Ohio stands with an unequalled
record among the states. Yesterday
Ohio was what most people termed
one of the conservative" eastern COM
monwealths. Today she is in the
forefront of the radical" list. Much
of the change is of course due to the
new constitution which by it's pro-
visions compelled numerous depar-
lures from established forms. But
many other changes are due to the
initiative of the legislature itself.
Cox Backs Measures.
Sponsor for great majority of the
new legislation stands Gov. Cox. BY
far the biggest per cent of the big
measures that went through did so
under his direct supervision and often.
times under his immediate dictation.
This is true of the amalgamation of
the various state departments as pro-
vided in the agricultural and indus
trial commission bills, of the new pol
icy of surveying the schools, of the
new systems for the administration
of public utilities, of taxation machin-
cry, of workmen's compensation, and
scores of other reforms.
The assembly has done many things
paternalistic. None is more SO than
the establishing of mothers pension.
whereby needy widows or mothers de-
serted by their spouses in future will
be given funds directly by the state
to care for their children.
The new child welfare laws come
also within the paternalistic sphere.
The new taxation scheme does away
completely with the present system
of elected assessors and places the
tax administration in each county un-
der the direct supervision of single
county assessor named by the state
tax commission and empowered to Sc
iect his deputies and assistants.
Regulate Public Utilities.
Under the new plan for the regu.
lation of public utilities, it is pro-
posed to base rates upon the physical
valuation of the property through
whose medium service is rendered.
Under the industrial commission,
seven state departments, including
the state liability board of awards,
are consolidated. Under the agricul-
tural commission an equal number of
agricultural departments, including
the state board of agriculture, are
merged and lose their present sepa.
rate identity.
Statewide primaries, involving the
complete abandonment of the politi-
cal convention as nominating bodies,
are among the assembly's accomplish,
ments. Furthermore, as the result of
the action Of the assembly, the people
will be allowed to vote next fall on
the question of whether or not they
want all of their state officers ap,
pointed except the governor and the
lieutenant governor, and whether
they want the counties given the right
to appoint instead of elect more OF
their officials. This program is
called the Short ballot"
A new system of regulating saloons
under license plan has been pro
vided. Under this no saloon can op
crate without license and it's license
can be revoked for misconduct on the
part of it's owners.
The Greenlund bill provides:
state license commission of three
members at salary of $4,000 each
appointed by the governor; deputy
license commissioners in wet counties
appointed by the state commission
limits saloons to one to each 500 pop
ulation; does not destroy regulatory
liquor laws; licenses shall be revoked
on second conviction of violation
of the liquor laws; second offense tC
be tried before a jury. Licenses are
/ to be limited to citizens of "good
moral character; saloons are prohib
tied within 300 feet of school; sa
loonists are prohibited from selling tc
minors under any conditions; citizens
are given the right to protest agains,