The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1914-07-24
Extraordinary Session Of LegIS-
Iature AdjOurnS Sine Die.
CLEANS UP WORK IN ONE DAY

Columbus, July 21.-Called into ex-
traordinaiy session by Governor Cox
to enact three laws, the Eightieth gem
eral assembly did so in one day.
The legislators accepted his recon
mendations, put through the measures
he presented and adjourned sine die,
after a single days session. The joint
committee which waited upon the gov
ernor last night to tell him the work
of the second extra session was fin
ished almost trod on the heels of the
Joint committee which in the morning
waited upon him to inform him that,
pursuant to his call, the senate and
house were in session and ready to
hear anything he desired to transmit
to them. 'f.t A
All legislative speed records were
smashed The bills prepared by Direc-
tor John II. Cassidy of the Legislative
reference bureau were introduced, re-
ferred to committees, reported back,
debated and put to vote. Expert clerks
did the engrossing and enrolling un-
der stress. The legislature convened
at 10 o'clock in the morning. Before
9:15 p. m. it had adjourned, the three
bills had been signed by the governor
and filed with the secretary Of state
Two of the measures are now laws in
full effect.
The Cox program was put through
without break. Not single amend
ment was made to the major bill, that
cutting the state levy from 1851 mill
to .45 mill, which was introduced by
Senator William Green OF Coshocton,
majority leader in the senate, and the
companion bill, relieving the taxpay-
ers Of the levy for the per cent OF
payroll fund for insurance OF public
employees, which was introduced by
Representative o. B. Chapman OF
Montgomery.
After a fight by attorneys repre-
senting oil and coal companies,
amendments were made to the third
| bill, regulating leases OF mineral
rights in school reservation lands,
which was introduced by Senator
Erastus G. Lloyd Of Franklin.
The State Tax Levy.
BY the Green bill the sinking fund
levy was cut from O335 mills to .0025
mill, the common school levy from
1895 mill to 055 mill, the highway levy
from 5 mill to 3 mill, leaving the
university levy untouched at Oops
mil. The estimated saving to the tax
payers, II the county budget commits
siona do not absorb the saving by In
creasing the levies for local purposes,
is approximately $4,O0O,O00. The bill
relating to the workmen's compensa
tion act Is to be effective In 30 days;
the other two measures are now In
full effect.
The Republican minority did not
filibuster to prolong the session and
did not make captlous opposition
Presenting an alternative to the ad
ministratlon levy bill, which in the
form finally put to vote was that So,
100000 for good roads be taken from
the state treasury surplus instead OF
being raised this year by taxation, the
minority accepted defeat with good
grace, One-third of the Republican
strength in the senate and big ma
jority OF the Republicans In the house
present and voting voted for the ad
ministration levy bill Opposition by
the Republican minority took the
. form of stand for further reduc
tion Of taxation than that put through
by the state administration.
Most opposition to the adminlstra
| 4
Lloyd bill to amend present laws rela
tive to the leasing of state schoG ant
ministerial lands for oil, gas, coal ant
= other minerals. Oil companies oper
. ating in the Hooking valley distric
entered vigorous protest. The meas
I ure passed both houses, however, witt
. the emergency clause attached.
In case satisfactory settlement ca
not be obtained by the state audito
from oil companies operating on stat
lands, he may, with the consent of tn
y governor and the attorney genera
I after ten days notice. re-enter tn
lands in the name OF the state an
i, take possession OF the wells and opel
atng machinery of the companies
: The state, however. must pay for tn
property seized an amount fixed by
board Of abritrators, consisting of on
person appointed by the governo
- one by the state auditor and one b
the trespasser, The state may operal
the wells itself and market the oil
There are said to be IA 900 acres {
l. unsold school and ministerial land
It The arbitration clause was compr,
5. mise with the oil companies, Cans
@ lands also may be leased under tn
same provisions.
Ohio legislators decided to postpon
their annual reunion at Akron unit
u Sept. 10. II and ~. The prevlor
n date was Aug. 20. 21 and %.