The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-06-11
CONSENSUS
OF OPINION
Among The Democrats Of
The State
Is To Limit The Referendum
Consideration
To Purely Political Acts Of
Willis Legislature
Such As Joint Ballot And The
GerrymaRder
But To Assist In Preserving
Present Good Laws

Columbus, o., June lO-COncenSuS
Of opinion among Democrats of the
state as shown in letters received at
state headquarters from every county
is that the proper course for the Dem.
ocratic party as an organization will
be to limit its referendum considera-
tion to purely political measures, such
as the Hulswitt joint ballot act and
the gerrymander. If referendums be
instituted to preserve any of the good
laws that have been tentatively de-
stroyed by the Willis Legislature, it is
the feeling that the Democrats should
assist by every means in their power.
1t is contended that the Democratic
party is now pledged to the support of
the present laws and opposed to all
changes that have been submitted,
that it is on record by the policy of
the party in the last campaign, and
that this record was supported by the
minority in the legislature in every
instance. Furthermore, it is called to
attention that the presence of the ref
erendum in the constitution made it
possible for the Democratic organiza-
ion to prevent the passage of many
Objectionable laws by holding out a
threat to refer to the people, and that
further than this, except on political
matters, political party ought not to
tI0 ,a1 al ,to,,
viding for submission of party pro-
gram for endorsement every two
years. From this view it is not likely
that the Democratic party will take
the initiative in any referendums, un-
less it be those affecting party welfare,
but that it will assist any representa-
tive set OF individuals in referendum
to sustain the laws which made the
new. Ohio of the past six years.
Governor Willis is in receipt of
letter of complaint from Washing
ton man who had his pocket picked
while he shook hands with the gov
ernor on Memorial Day. At that he
has nothing ON some thousands of tax
payers in Ohio who shook hands with
the present governor last fall.
Regardless of the fact that political
defeat was administered to the max.
ers of "The New Ohio" their work is
looming up greater day after day. and
especially in comparison with the de-
structive and reactionary work of the
Willis legislature. Other states are
constantly looking to the Cox laws of
Ohio for guidance. Within the past
week the chairman and counselor Of
the Colorado industrial commission,
and the chairman of the tax commit
tee of the New York constitutional
convention, were in Ohio, studying
the principles of the present Ohio
laws, which are everywhere recog-
nized as models. In addition to this
there passes scarce day without de-
mand from some civic association for
copies of "The New Ohio" used last
fall by the Democrats as a campaign
document. but which in subject mat
ter was simply review of the laws
of. the Eightieth general assembly and
their operation. These facts are the
more remarkable in the face Of pres
ent conditions in this state.
To the list Of "highly paid ap-
pointees" who have advanced in SER
vice and pay is added the name of
Lester H. WINS, agricultural inspect.
or recently legislated out of office in
Ohio. From this state, at $4,000 a
year, he has been selected By the fed
eral government as specialist In home
and school gardening at $4,000 per
year, aud selection was made from
applicants in many states.
In the face of the fact that the