The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1915-01-14
PUTS CONFIDENCE
IN LAWMAKERS
Gov. Willis, in First Message to Lsgisla-
tHrR, indicates His Relations to Body.
URGES FMTHFULNEss TO the PEOPLE
gooLomy Necessary In State Affairs
Urges Investigation With View
to Elimination Of Unnecessary
officiaIs-Asks Immediate
Repeal of Portion Of
Warnes Law.

Columbus, 0.-Gov. Frank B. Willis
first message to the legislature clearly
defines in the opening paragraphs the
relations he expects to maintain as
governor with the law-making repre-
sentatiEes of the people. Recent po-
pitical events" he says, have demon
stated anew the abiding faith of the
people in their chosen representatives
as the proper constitutional law-mak-
ing body and their disapproval of ex-
ecutive iaw-making which might easily
degenerate into political dictation. &.
can assure you that there is no dis
position to impose upon you any obli-
CATION or restraint except your oath of
Office and your duty to your constit-
uency. In you is vested the legisla-
tive authority; you constitute an indie
pendent, coordinate branch of the
state government. An appreciation of
that fact and your desire to win popu-
lar approval should incite to conse-
Grated effort and worthy achieve
ment."
One of the duties imposed upon the
governor is that of making recommen-
datiCns to the general assembly. Sec
tion 7 of article of the constitution
of Ohio relating to the duties of the
governor says He shall communicate
at every session, by message, to the
general assembly, the condition of the
state shall deem expedient." In ac-
as he shall deem eXpedient." In ac-
cordance with this provision l shall
make at this time certain recommen-
dations as to legislation, reserving
others for subsequent communica.
ton.
Economy.
At the outset | desire to call the at
tertion of the general assembly very
respectfully, yet earnestly and EN-
phatically, to the absolute necessity
for strict economy in the management
of the affairs of the state. Some OF
my predecessors in recent years have
drawn attention to the rapid increase
in the cost of conducting the state
government and have urgently coun
seled economy in the expenditure ot
the peoples money. In his annua
message of Jan. 6, 1918, Gov Harmon
drew attention to this alarming in
crease in expenditures and declared
that prosperity will not long abide il
Ohio unless this inordinate growth
- is checked"
In spite of all that has been said anC
written in the interest of econom!
the cost of conducting the state gov
ernment has steadily grown, and il
the general revenue fund alone thu
increase for the last fiscal year has
reached the unprecedented sum o
$3,914,115.79 - more than the entire
expenditure from this fund in 1890
The increase from that year to 190t
was 81 ,237, 1921 or 40 per cent, ant
from 1900 to 1910 it was $3,861, ,961 g.
or 70 per cent; while the increase il
the last four years has been $6,410,
2730G or almost double the amount o
increase for the entire preceding pc
riod of ten years.
These statistics have reference onl!
to the general revenue fund of thu
state The figures showing the amour
of taxes collected for all state puT
poses illustrate in more striking con
trast the increase of burdens imposed
upon our people. Following are th'
taxes collected from all sources TO-
the support of the state in the year in
diCated:
Year. Amount