The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-01-19
And Unless He Assumes
Charge OF Things
Some One Is Going To Do
It For Him

Columbus, O., Jan. 16--The general
assembly adjourns but the lobby lead
ers go on forever. There is no adjourn
ment Of those who hold forth month in
and month out, year in and year out.
Nor Is there an adjournment of those
who seek favor at the political pie
counter. And the worries Of him who
holds the power of chief executive.
have no cessation. Governor Frank B.
Willis is beginning to take on wor-
ried look. Day and night he is be-
sieged by those who legitimately seek
his favor for services they have rem
dered or for things which they say
they have done. Day and night and
night and day he is beleaguered with
the growing idea that there are two or
three or four fellows in the great state
of Ohio who have felt the call to take
possession of the administration of the
state body, bag and baggage. The new
governor is undoubtedly face to face
with the fact that unless he assumes to
take charge of things someone else is
going to take charge for him.
For the time being Governor Willis
is giving his closest attention to the
endless string of visitors, most of
whom are applicants for appointment.
While he has not indicated his choice
for any of the places sought he has
made q strategic mistake in allowing
himself to be burdened with all appli-
cations and endorsements. Had he
gone ahead and made such appoint
ments as are necessary and then pro-
ceeded to guide the administration in
proper channels he would have. gained
the praise of the people who have less
care about who fills the Office than they
have about the service which is given
to them. Fear is expressed that while
the governor of Ohio busies himself in
the payment of political debts and the
award Of patronage some gentlemen
who know how will step in and pick ev-
erything from the tree that is worth
having and there won't even be core
left for the people. If Harry Daugher-
ty controls the Public Utilities Commits
sion, as 1t is charged in Columbus,
there is some reason for the fear as
to the future in Ohio government.
leader, too progressive for his party,
is now a full pledged Democrat. He
first became Progressive and now is
with the party which represents the
greatest progress. AS editor of the
Mansfield Shield, he is now preaching
good Democratic doctrine and issuing
warning against return to the good
old days." which he says were accom-
panied with scandal and corruption"
which caused the people of Ohio to
hang their heads in shame and humilia-
ton. 1t must be remembered that Mr..
Sullivan knows what he is talking
about, inasmuch as he was formerly
state printer under the old regime and
when he says the governors plan to
let each department run itself without
executive suggestion is dangerous, 1t
is warning worth needing. John l..
Sullivan is an accession to the ranks
of Democratic editors.
At every hand Governor Willis is &C
cused of shirking his duty. The Youngs-
town, Vindicator makes comparison
with the wonderful leadership and ex-
ecutive ability of James M. Cox Re-
ferring to the progressive work of two
years the Vindicator says: The refer
endum must be used to prevent the re-
peal OF the Cox reform laws and Cox
himself must be the leader of the
guard" with the prediction that James
M. Cox will come back to request OF
all the people.
That the same feeling exists with