The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-09-07
NOT WELL
RECEIVED
Is The Attempt To Prevent
ReferendumS
On His Pet Measures BY
Gov. Willis
His Effort At intimidation
| And Threats
Is Freely Criticized By Lead.
ing Republicans
And His Failure Doesn't Free
Him From Blame
And His Failure Doesn't Free
Him From Blame

Columbus, o., Sept. THE attempt
of Governor Willis to prevent referen-
dunn elections on his pet measures is
not being we'll received by the voters
of the state. His conduct, by threats
and efforts at intimidation, to keep Pc
titions from being circulated is un-
precedented and is freely criticised by
leading Republicans who consider that
it jeopardizes their chances in local
elections this fall. That Willis was
unsuccessful in his bull-dozing tactics
does not free him from blame. In
this matter as in many others he has
acted inconsistent with platform prom
ises First as the worst boss of the
legislature Ohio has ever seen he caus-
| ed to be enacted as administration
measures" certain laws, in the face of
his promise that there would be no
administration measures" When it
became apparent that an effort was be-
ing made to permit the people to pass
on those acts under the referendum
provision of the constitution, he used
all the power of his office to keep the
people from having any chance to de
eide. That the petitions for referen-
dunn of the McDermott law, which
| would permit open Sunday saloons in
Cincinnati according to promise, and
in other large cities, were started by
his own employees in the state license
commission, speaks volumes of what
the Republicans think of the govern
or's tactics. Nevertheless the referen'
DUN will be had Willis still contin-
ues his opposition but his position is
not pleasing one to his friends. Re-
publicans generally admit the justice
of the referendum principle in this
matter and most of them welcome it,
In the matter of the Sprague law Re
publicans concede its unfarness.
Willis would do well If he found 9th
er matters in which to engage himself
The people have right to say.
The Willis highway act is now a law
but 1t Is not law that will build roads
as was done before its passage. II l:
poorly constructed, in many respects
meaningless, and the statement i.
made that il will stop all effective state
road work for the next two years. The
attorney general Is now pOndering ov
er fifty questions presented under thu
law by those interested in the work
Now constitutional question Is to b'
ably invaidate the state levy and Ohit
goes back into the mire, Truly tn,
state highway department is decen
tralized
The Willis-Cole.Dick triumvirate |
not setting the woods on fire. VIII
has found 1t impossible to arouse an
enthusiasm for his presidential aspirg
- tions and under this arrangement /
date not single county has given it
p endorsement, Not single one OF tn
y three seems to be helped any by IA
sociation with the other, The VIII
3 presidential candidacy is general
@ looked upon as cowardice--as an "a
@ acknowledgement OF his fear to meet tn
& results of his inetliciency as governo
;. 1t Is now evident that even shoul
=, Willis decide to drop his presidentii
aspirations he will have trouble
again being nominated for governo
Others have been building gubern
torial fences and some of them are II,
s. reticent about the fact that they wi
W oppose Willis II he runs again, thoul
T. they are perfectly willing to let hi
rs butt his head against the PRESIDENT
"A. wall, as the Republican goat,
N. %
IN The absence OF state highway d
ID play at the state fair this year h
aroused adverse comment and is &C