The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1914-02-20

Mills Municipal ownerShip Bond BIZ
Passed as Amended In Conference.
Governors Bond Tax Proposition
Within Provisions of Smith One
Per Cent Act-Big Flood Measurs
Signed--roings Of the soIons.
Columbus, o., Feb. 17.--In accord
ance with Governor Cox's recommen-
dations there were introduced and
passed by both houses of the Ohio
legislature the Cahill bill, changing
the time OF meeting of the budget
commission from the first Monday in
June to the first Monday in August,
by which time the duplicate will ba
completed; the Etling bill, restoring
the old date, the first Monday in
April, as the day when taxes are to
be listed; the Dollison bill, author
izlng leases of oil, coal and gas rights
on school lands by the state auditor
on approval of the governor and at
torney general, and the Reid bill, re-
quiring a tax levy in every political
subdivision to provide sinking fund
and interest for all bonds issued.
The proposal to lease oil and min
eral rights on school lands, which
would have been leased at ridiculous
ly low rentals, based usually on what
the land was worth for crop raising
100 years ago, was first made by
State Auditor Donahey, who saw In 1t
g chance to create large state rev.
enue.
Representative Reid of Fayette,
who fathered the governors bond
tax bill, went the governor one better
and stipulated In it that the interest
and redemption tax, to be levied Incl
dental to the issuance of bonds, must
be within the 10-mill limit Of the
Smith 1 per cent law The governors
message did not allude to that fea-
ture.
Because of gross erors in sectional
numberings of the Duffey judicial sal.
ay bill, Governor Cox vetoed it. A
corrected bill was passed.
Mills Bill Amended.
Acceptance of the conference report
on the Mills municipal ownership
bond bin passed that measure, put
stripped 1t of every provision except
permission to sell public utility bonds
In denominations of 500 or more Uo
citizens If there are no bidders when
offered in larger denominations to
bond buyers.
Municipalities desiring 10 build or
buy utilities must proceed as set
forth in the constitution, instead Of
having statutory guidance. Bonds
must be based on the utility earningt
and assets solely. The bondholderG
will have right to ask the court to
turn the utilities over to them to op
crate for 20 years If there is defaul,
in interest.
The moment John Kramer of Rich
land introduced the probe committee
bill to prohibit members of the legis-
lature holding extra state employ
ments there was a scramble to punch
holes in it, Several amendments Of
fered were adopted. AS passed by
thO AANA5pb ihVlhpClp Ndii uOI dOCtpI
Jobs under the executive and admin.
istrative branch of the state govern.
ment The penalty provided is for
feiture of membership in the legisla-
ture, an unenforcible provision, for,
under the constitution, each house is
the sole judge of the qualifications of |
its members and could remit this
penalty.
The big Vonderheide flood protec-
tion bill was signed by the governor
and the presiding officers. Governor
Cox used two pens, which he gave
Judge John A. Mcmahon, author of !
the bill, and John H. Patterson of
Dayton.
The general appropriation bill, car
rying $S,762,6 ,664,31, passed both
houses, The conference committees
report was agreed to.
The house, by resolution, expressed
for Dr. M. j. Jenkins OF
who is recovering in Grant
hospital from a serious attack of
pneumonia.