The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1915-07-15

the Ohio anti-lobby law wouldn't
be worth the paper on which it is
written. This statement is prov
en- by the developments of the
last few days. Before the newspa-
pers published the fact that only q
fraction of the lobbyists were paying
any attention to the law, the larger
percentage Of these gentlemen were
laughing in their sleeves at the statute.
But the newspapers were on the watch.
1t was they who discovered the fact
that the lobbyists were playing jokes
with what was meant to be a serious
enactment, and it was they (the news
papers) who revealed their istelli-
gence to the public. And it was after
this intelligence had filtered Though
the state and had come to the stten-
tion of the proper legal officers that
the third house" of the general as
sembly in other words, the lobby, got
busy and began to notice that there
was a law affecting them. The trou-
BILE with the law, as with many other
laws that become dead letters until
the newspapers begin to enforce them,
is that no particular person is author
ized and compelled to make it opera
tive. 1t is true that the secretary Of
state and the attorney general are sup
posed to see to it that the anti-lObby
law is enforced, but unless these gen.
tlemen elect to act their duties remain
in the suppositive stage. The Bitua-
ton brings into clear relief the gra-
tuitous duties which newspapers day
in and day out perform for the public
good. In fact, were it not for fear Of
the newspapers it is doubtful if more
than handful of lobbyists even would
have registered during the late session
of the general assembly. The fear of
revealment-the dread of the newspa-
per men, who always are on the watch
is unquestionably the agency which
brought the Legislative agents to time.
OF course, there are good and bad lob
byists, and the good" lobbyists would
have registered even if the law did not
exist. 1t was the bad" lobbyists
whom the law attempted to catch, but
in a state without watchful newspa-
pers the statute would have remained
dead letter. Which does not mean
that the unscrupulous lobbyists all
have been trapped or compelled to
walk the straight and narrow path. By
no means. If all had made clear and
frank confessions in their statement
of expenses, the state probably would
sit up and gasp in establishment. And
so would the state during any pre-
vious session of any assembly. But
the law is getting in some good
whacks, is making itself felt and
thanks to the newspapers, will make
itself more and more felt as time goes
on. And from all of this arises the
question; How many laws would be
rigidly enforced if the newspapers
should go to sleep, just for a week?'
Fair Judges Still Unnamed.
Ordinarily the judges for the state
this, but because, if the Mallow law
stands, the coming state fair will be
under the management of the new
state board of agriculture, and the
members of the moribund state agri-
cultural commission feel that that
body should choose the judges, they
are still unnamed. The Mallow law
will become effective, if a referen-
dun is not called upon it, on the 22nd
of July and the new state board will
come into existence as soon as Gov.
Willis makes his selections. 1t is
feared by the advocates of the reduc-
tion of the admission fee to the state
fair that the new board will not be
favorable to it, for the reason that
they will naturally reflect the senti-
ment of the governor, who is under
stood to be averse to trying the ex-
pertinent lest it result in making the
| first fair held under his administra-
tion a pronounced failure financially.
The present management, however,
has announced concessions to the
effect that a season ticket good for
three admissions a day will be sold
to exhibitors and concessionaries for
81 EACH No employees will be given
passes, but in lieu of that their per
diems will be increased so, cents a
day each. Among the interesting new
competitions provided for at the fair
this year is contest in horseshoing
and in saddle horses. A $500 purse
divided into seven prizes, is offered
in the saddle horse contest, and $75,
divided in five prizes, for horseshoing
In the poultry department the manage
ment has added competition classes
in pheasants, guineas and eggs. They
have also provided for competition all
through the poultry department by
young and old pens. This has never
been done before. Spotted Poland
China hogs will also be offered prizes
this year for the first time. The
management has decided to secure
more competition in the county agri
cultural exhibits and kas added $40(
to the prizes heretofore offered.
School Bond Issue AnnuIIed.
The very first test case of the new
law permitting recount Of ballots in
alleged corrupt" elections has re
suited in the annulment of the $25, ,00C
school bond issue in Brown township
Franklin county. Common Pleas
Judge E. B. Kinkead, appealed to by
those who held the ballots to have
been counted improperly, opened the
returns and did some counting him
self. The face Of the returns showed
the vote to have stood 100 to 9S in ia
vor of TIE bond issue. When the judge
got throagh with the recount the vote
was tie, or 100 to 100,
Gets Unsalaried Position.
George E. Scott of Mt Pleasant
: Jefferson county, made member Of
the board Of control for the Ohio agri
cultural station at Wooster, was q
member of the old board which was
Il ahnlishad when fha state AGRICULTURAL