The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-09-10
Still IN
ABEYANCE
Is Destruction Of The Civil
Service Law
Pending Decision Of Case By
Supreme Court
The Number Of Office Seek.
erS Not LeSSened
Situation Not Cleared By The
Questions Of DOnahey
About Legality Of Salaries
To New AppointeeS

Columbus, O., Sept. 9-The posi-
tion of Governor Willis, even with
all his self-assurance, is not an en-
viable one. The promised destruc-
tion of the civil service law, demand
ed two years ago by the people, is
still in allegiance pending action by
the supreme court. Under the provis-
ions of the ripper" of the Willis as
sembly, less than a score of persons
have benefited out of the hundreds
that daily besiege the governors Of
flee. His statement that every vest
ige of the old law should be removed
I has not lessened in any degree the
number of Republican seekers for Of
flee. Nor has the situation been
cleared any by the question raised by
State Auditor A. V. Donahey about
the legality of salaries paid to ap-
pointees picked up from the streets"
ignoring the lists of eligibles under
civil service. And now the hungry
horde is demanding new deal un-
less Willis makes good with them.
Pressure is being brought to bear on
the governor for special session of
the legislature for the sole purpose
of opening all the patronage at one
swoop by a total disavowal of civil
service.
From Cleveland comes confirma-
tion of the deal made last winter be-
tween Governor Willis and Charles P.
Salen, True Democracy leader, in the
latter's announcement of candidacy
as a mayoralty candidate against
Peter Witt, who has the endorsement
of the Cleveland Democracy. 1t will
be remembered that Salem, formerly
Tom Johnson's first lieutenant who
proved traitor, last year trained
with the Clues, and after Willis. elec-
tion came to Columbus to get his pay.
Pledging support to another for ap-
pointment as tax commissioner of
Cuyahoga county he held confer
ence with Willis and went back to
Cleveland, again traitor, himself
having secured the appointment he
pretended to seek for his friend. At
the time the story was told in Co.
lumbus that Governor Willis had ap-
pointed Salem in trade for his prom
Use to run for mayor in Cleveland for
the purpose of muddling the situation
there. Salen at the last minute has
made good. If Witt, with his custom
airy ability in political lines, can show
that Salen is the candidate of the
eleven gizzards governor he ought to
have no trouble in finishing this Salen
sale for good and all.
Though his closest advisers have
shown him that his course is >an ac-
knowledgment of failure and political
cowardice of the rankest kind, Gov.
Willis is said to be firm in his inten-
tion not to seek another term as gov
ernor. He is not so avowed now as
a candidate for president as he was
when he made the deal few weeks
ago with Dick for senator and Cole
for governor The triumvirate did
not work out as anticipated Now
Cole and Willis, who are closer as
friends and politicians, are prepar-
ing to ditch Dick, and Willis may be
a candidate for U. S. senator His
intention in this regard has been
forming as he has been gizzarding
around over the counties of the state
recently. where he has learned that
if Ohio Republicans back any Ohian
at all for president, It will be Myron
7. Herrick or Theodore Burton.
o
The Portsmouth Daily Times says