The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1914-10-13
COX HNU WILLIS

people OF OHIO themselves TO the
Of cleaning the accumulated dry of reaction in the laws
that governed them They tore their old and ouworn cons
uton and substituted that has placed this common
wealth in the forefront of the toward social justice
and public cleanliness.
They their hands the right make laws and
unmake them candidates for Office establish home
rule in communities where it is desired.
They shook up the courts with peeder judg
men They made possible the enactment of real worlmens
compensation law, and mothers pension law They abolished
contract labor prisons They made possible to drive from
the the crooks who had Aeeced the people of many mil
lions by the sale of fraudulent securities
To make many Of these amendments operative it
sary that the legislature enact laws to fit the con-
ditions and to repeal old ones, which did not f
When Cox elected governor he pledged himself to the
exact and honest fu6ment of the obligations imposed upon the
state government by those constitutional amendments
would have been easy for reactionary and tricky gov
erno control of the legislative majority ange up the big
job of awmakng In such annu nearly every reform
demanded
1t would have been easy for potics-paying Legislature
abeed by corporations thing the
weak governor.
record that Governor Cox top of that
legislature amid hows Of "bosssm" from the eaconaries and
gruns of protest from the legislators who considered themselves
overwored until every last item of his program had been
acted into law.
small task, demanding the of governor
with iron backbone.
Men who this city while the worlmens compensation
bill being will forget the Of
powerful rich who here to the governor and op
this outrage" they expressed it. They didn't stop it.
Big interests fought practically every reform sub
mtted aided by feeble Indifferent reaconary Legislators
1t notable thing, and thing in Ohio where gov
and legislatures have often destepped their pledges
that Cox did he promised the face of discourage
and difficulties.
Al the end of his term able show balance of
$soooOO0 the treasury, he called the Legislature
geher special reduce the state rate the smallest
figure in the history Of Ohio.
The penentiary is in process of creation It's
aim is to out instead of criminals
The results of other reform legislation just beginning
he felt by the people
1t essential that these reforms do not fall into the hands
of their enemies.
Frank b. Willis Coxs chief opponent for the governorshp,
insists hc dominant Ohio the reputation
Endorsement of the present state administration"
Willis is at least partly right
Cox the stronger of the two naturally be
center of discussion
Yet is worth the while of the consider Willis
find what OF administration might be expected from
him If he elected.
Willis was in the legislature in 1900 t5.
voted favor of prison contract labor He voted against
the eight hour day for wokmen public works He failed
all the bill safeguard machinery for the protection
of the empoye.
He voted against the bill abolish the infamous "felow
servant rule In other Words he voted in favor of the employer
and the indemnity insurance companies and against the worker
when progressive trying to abolish the rule of law
which had left destitute the families of thousands of manned
| killed wortmen
lie helped XIII bill to protect employees from the results OF
| negligence the part of their employers.
lie voted against bill which required vote Of the people
railway franchises could be granted extended
He reported member of the taxation committee in favor
of ndente posponemcn Of bills that sought put concealed
| stock. and bonds on the tax duplicate
voted smother bill that would forbid members of th
| legislature to accept railroad passes.
So his national record member of congress
ned he has speak Of lie has been merely of thos
coorcss congressman who do tte good bad to attract tn
| attention of the public.
As between Cox, the rcactonary Willis and the uncertain
Garfield there only choice for who wish their state
| progress and who fear the forces Of reaction.
That choice is Cox.
editorial simultaneously III
papars reprinted In
Cleveland Press cnnna
Post coiunbus Citizen