The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1915-07-15
NEWS CULLED
in THE CAPITAL
ACTIVITIES OF STATE DEPART
MENTS-OTHER HAPPENINGS
Special Columbus Correspondent.

ing diverted, at least momentarily,
here by the unique effort of coun-
ty officials from all parts of Ohio
to extend their terms from two
to four years. The county officers
have Just succeeded in forming an or
ganization and launching statewide
movement to place upon the Novem-
Der ballot an amendment 20 the Ohio
constitution that will give all last
years successful candidates for coun-
ty office term of four years instead
Of two years. The saTue amendment
will have the effect, if adopted by the
people, of extending the terms of pro-
bate judges throughout the state from
four years to six years. But in order
to be assured a place on the ballot
the amendment must be petitioned for
by 10000 voters and the signatures
of this number of voters must be
gotten between now and Aug. 1. Many
observers here doubt the possibility
of getting such a number, but the new
association of county officials, having
natural branches in every county Of
the state, seem to be optimistic of the
outcome. The general agitation for
an extension of terms for county Off
cials have been under way for sew
eral years past. One Of the grounds
has been the citation that the terms
of these officials begin and end at
such different times that the situation
becomes awkward and confusing.
Numerous efforts have been made in
general assemblies in recent years to
bring about the term extension by
statute, but they have consistently
failed. Such an effort was made in
the late session of the S1st assembly
but failed to get beyond the first
stages. Always the argument that
officials elected for given term
should not be given q further tenure
has prevailed. But now comes the
county officials with new argument
They hold that since 81 per cent of
the voters of the state are required to
adopt a constitutional amendment,
that percentage of people should have
the right to extend the terms of any
officers just as they would have the
right to select the same officers orig
inally. Therefore, according to this
argument, if the amendment is adopt
ed the county officials will have had
the equivalent of a reelection. In
fluential in the launching of the
amendment movement are the county
| hoi, mt &c hot hni
increased burden of tax duties, i'm
posed by the Parrett-Whittemore bill,
will make it impossible for them next
year to find time to fight for their own
reelection. The auditors, who were
elected last fall, do not take Office un
til this fall but will be up for re
election year hence
Takes Orders From Subordinate.
Gov. Willis took orders from one oi
his subordinates the other day This
happened at Grove City, near Colum
bus, where the chief executive made
the independence day address. The
Old Guard of Columbus, noted organi.
zation of Civil war veterans, attended
the celebration and acted as the gov.
ernor's escort. The commander of the
Old Guard is Capt. William H. Miller,
who is superintendent of the state
house and grounds. While waiting for
the arrival of the governor the Old
Guard elected him an honorary mem.
ber. When informed of this the gov
ernor said, "By Heck, if I'm member,
1, 4
shouldering a gun and falling in at
the rear. To the tune of the fife and
drum corps he marched with the vets
to the town square, where the meet
ing was held.
Gusts Election Board Members.
Based on the findings of irregulari-
ties returned against the Lucas county
election board by the legislative probe,
Secretary of State Hildebrant, as chief
election officer, has fired" Members
Lewis Dennis, M. B. Mccarthy and
John W. Dowd and Clerk Frank Van
Loo of that board. The probe commit.
tee found that the board registered
persons from boarding houses and
flop" houses who were not entitled to
vote; that printed lists of registered
voters were not gotten out in time for
the use of the public and that very lit.
tie effort was made by the board to
provide for fair vote, and that proper
precaution was not taken at the polls
to prevent fraud and corruption in the
election.
Errors Found In Good Roads Bill.
Four additional errors have been
found in the Cass good roads bill
and a court suit to determine whether
the aggregate errors can invalidate
sections of the measure is now
almost certain. The new discov
cries make the total number oi
mistakes an even half dozen, and law
yers are closely scanning the entire
statute for further possible dis
closures. All question, however, that
the errors might have been otherwise
than purely clerical has been removed
Gov. Willis Pardons Forger.
Charles Miller of Dayton, who was
sent to the penitentiary in February
serve OhO W ~ JCoAO AOA
ing checks on grocers and bakers tc
get money to provide his wife and five
children with food last winter, has
been pardoned by Gov. Willis. The
total amount he received on these
bogus checks did not exceed $40, and
his family was starving, it was
claimed, when he resorted to unlawful
means to get money. The dealers OF
which he forged the checks have beer
caring for his family since his incar
ceration.
Wills Cousin Lands Job.
Hugh Buell. Of Columbus, cousin Of
Gov, Willis, has landed job undel
him. The chief executive has ap
pointed him deputy state oil inspector
for the Columbus district. There was
an Interesting contest for the position