The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1914-09-25

States senator that II their cause pre-
walls this fall the state will be turned
back to the old order. A review OF
events In order shows Just what going
back to old conditions means. The
most Illuminating circumstances in
this analysis is the record OF the
standpat candidate for governor when,
as a member of the Ohio legislature,
he was In part responsible for the sit
uatlon then existent.
On Feb. IA, 1900, he voted against
n. B. 1e to abolish prison contr5 It la.
bor and to provide for the employ.
ment of convict labor In such man.
ner as not to compete with free labor.
Taking him at his word, he would,
therefore, restore the contract labor
system and destroy the present pris.
on reform.
On March Is, 1900, hs voted against
n. 3. 65, limiting the hours Of daily
service Of iaborers, workmen and me.
chanics upon public work to eight
hours.
On Feb. 20, 1900, H. B. 204 was un-
der discussion. 1t provided for the
guarding Of dangerous machinery for
the protection of human life. He did
not vote. It is significan tthPt he
voted on the roll call Immediately fol-
lowing. II Is fair to assume, there
fore, that on principle he was opposed
TO the bill, but lacked tho courage to
vote against II.
H. b. 326 provided for the abroga.
tIon OF the fellow-servant rule. This
is the Infamous principle of litigation
in the trial OF personal injury suits
that finally sickened the sensibilities
of the state and brought about its de-
structlon by the passage OF the work
mems compensation law. The fellow
servant rule is one of the three old
common law defenses which denied
compensation to an injured workmen,
or to the widow and orphans of the
workman who lost his life II the ac-
cident had occurred as the result OF
the carelessness of fellow workman
Even though the injured or killed en-
ploye contributed in no way to the
disaster, under the fellow servant rule
compensation was denied. On March
IA, 1900 Willis voted against this
measure and contributed his part to.
ward the continuance of this Vicious
practice.
In commenting on this vote a labor
man said How any member Of the
legislature at that time who was not
possessed with a sense OF the injus'
tice of this thing can look working
man in the face as candidate for
| governor now is past understanding;
| and yet he presumed to make the La
Dor day speech in Jefferson county on
Labor day In the year of Our Lord,
| 1914"
On April s. 1902, when II. p. 51S,
providing for the protection of en-
ployes from lnclement weather, was
under consideration he did not vote,
| although he was recorded on the
votes Immediately preceding and i'm
mediately following.
II. b. 552, to protect employees from
negligence on the part OF employers
was reported from the committee on
labor, but a vote was taken on recon-
mitting II 10 the committee, which oil
course meant its death. The stand
pat candidate for governor voted to
recommlt
For the Big interests.
II. r, 80 required any ordinance
| granting or extending street railway
franchises to be ratified by the cleo
tors The standpat candidate for gov
ernor voted mo"
SO much has been said on taxation
recently that his record on this sub
ject Is OF interest.
II, Il. iS9 provided that all property
whether real or personal, monies
credits. stocks and bonds. vested
rights. franchises and non-property
values. should be entered on the list
OF taxable property, The bill wa'
recommended by the committee or
taxation for Indefinite postponement
Feb. 20, 1900. This report was sign
| w W thN Luz kON
ernor as a member OF the taxation
committee
II. b. l40 provided that county ON
clals might make an Investigation Il
It became apparent that vested rights
franchises and other non-property val
ues were not being taxed. The taxa
ton committee recommended its In
definite postponement March /, 1900
The report was signed by the stand
pat candidate for governor.
Against State Normal Schools.
During the year 1900 the movement
In behalf OF state normal schools wa'
3 vigorously renewed. IL. b. 1863 pro
. Vided for u normal school for the pur
. pose OF training teachers for the pub
q lilo schools OF the state. On Fob. s
/, 1900. the ssandpat candidate for gov
ernor voted mo" II was voted OF
again March IS. 1900, and he agaii
voted No"
II. b. 657 increased the power O
the state b, ard Of equalization to re
/ view railroad appraisements as mad