The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-05-25

'Confronted With Unpleasant Situa-
tions the Members Of the Lawmsk-
ing Branch Of the State Government
Show Their Ability to Meet Them.
"Ripper" Legislation In the Grist Of
Administration Measures.
Columbus. - (Special.) - Under sc.
we're test the Eighty-first general as
sembly of Ohio has brought its work
to close with practically the entire
administration program completed
and with many bills passed in behal.
OF the administration which were not a
part of the original pans. In the
number of bills presented and passed
the Eighty-first general assembly did
! not differ in any great degree from its
predecessors. A total of 1899 bills
were filed, as compared to 97S in
1913; 925 in 1911; S35 in 1909.
Every assembly in recent years has
been swamped under the deluge of
bills of local importance and many
weeks have been consumed trying to
sort out those of most Importance.
The others had to take their chances
in committees and on long calendars,
and OF necessity there are many bills
which never are considered at all.
Out OF more than / 900 bills of all sorts
that were presented, laws have been
made OF a fair proportion, and more
than as many again have been re-
5ected either in the house or the SEN
ate. More than 500 have never been
considered on the floor of either
branch OF the assembly.
Lack Of leadership due to the gov
ernor's expressed intention to main
tain hands-off policy led to confu-
sion, and within two weeks Of the time
fi1ed for closing the session a num-
Der of administration measures had
not even been considered. Acting on
the advice of Senator Harding and
others, Governor Willis assumed
charge and pushed the program to
completion with rapidity, unifying the
discordant elements of the majority
In both houses
Considerable delay was experienced
over the conflict between the rest OF
the administration and the attorney
generals department over wnat might
properly be termed emergency laws,
and under ruling of the attorney gen
eral, who stood adamant, several iMi-
portant bills had to be repassed to
make them legal.
Ripper" Measures Prominent.
Standing out from all the mass OF
work that was considered and passed
are the so-called ripper" measures,
designed to overthrow or correct cer-
Tain actions of preceding general as.
semblies according to statements and
pledges of the majority party and its
successful candidates. Chief in i'm
pOrtanSe In these measures is the
sParrett- -Whttemore tax bill, which
was pasted in both houses and sign
"a by the governor on May s, to 20
into effect on Jan. /, 1916, unless 1t
shall be defeated in referendum elCc
ton, watch is threatened by the Dem
ocratic state organization. The Par
tWhittemore tax measure Ia de
signed TO throw ont of Office all the
appOintive district and deputy asses
sors after this years assessment shall
have been made.
Abollshes "Ag" Commission.
The first OF the laws to be passed
and signed on the administration pro
gram that was of importance was the
Smith. Mallow bill, knocking out the
present agricultural commission. Sub
stituted for the commission Is the
state board of agriculture TO consist
OF ten members to make n bipartisan
organization. These members are tC
serve without salary, but wnen meet
ing they are to receive per diem o
$40 and expenses.
Later there was introduced ant
passed In the house bill for an ad
yisory agricultural commission of fv
members, consisting of the same oil
clals who by law make mp the pres
ent agricultural commission. II thu
bill Is approved by the governor
will virtually restore the condition
Rt present existing and which tie frs
ebill was designed to destroy
! The administration measure I
fchsnge the operation OF civil servic
IN the state came In the closing day
tof the session, after several forms {
'yippers had been offered and discar,
gsd. Governor Willis let II be know
What public sentiment was against
dsstruction OF civil service. and II
yststed that bin be passed waic
lwouid remedy what he said we're d
Meets In the law passed in 1913.
4 License Bill Delayed.
: Opposition in administration ranl
taeveloped to the change In the licens
4Ustem 30 that II was put OF until II
tclosIng days OF the session. The
,twhen II appeared that the par,
spledge was likely TO fail OF fullllmen
Governor Willis changed his atttut
Htoward the legislature and insist,
shat mis- wishes be followed ATT
.lthe Andrews bill. with many regul
TORY features. had been defeated