The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-11-05
REJECTION
Of R|PPERS
Of Willis Administration On
Tuesday
Is Construed As The Nomin.
alton Of Cox
For Governor On Democratic
Ticket In 1916
The Adverse Decision On
Two. Measures
Was A Reputation Of Willis
Administration
Was A Reputation Of Willis
Administration

Columbus, O., Nov. 4-Rejection OF
the twoWillis rippers taken to referen-
dunn election IL construed by the lead
ers of the state as an actual nomina-
Ntion Of James M. Cox for governor on
the Democratic ticket in 1916. This
thought is given expression in state
ments OF leading men of the party, and
even in the election news lead Of the
Cleveland Plain Dealer. the leading in.
dependent Democratic newspaper of
Ohio. 1t is taken generally that the
adverse decision on the Sprague con-
gressional ripper and on the McDer-
mott license law decentralizer was in
fact q reputation Of the Willis admin.
istration. In addition to this Republi-
can leaders who have remained loyal
to broken cause concede that any
other law Of the Willis administration
that might have been referred to the
people as bearing the governors ap-
proval would have suffered like fate
The laws were rejected because OF
their demerits but more because they
were Willis enactments to decentral-
ize Cox laws. This the issue is made
between the Cox and Willis ad-
ministrations and the decision is plain.
It is tersely expressed in statement
by WI. Finley, Democratic state
chairman, the former manager of Cox's
campaigns and his loyal friend. Mr..
Finley says:
James M. Cox has been emphatical-
ly called to become the Democratic
candidate for governor in 1916 by re-
lection of the McDermott act and the
disapproval of the Sprague gerryman-
der in the referendum election. The
vote not only retains present law but
1t is q positive declaration Of repudia-
ton for the Republican state admins
stration and the Republican plan OF
destruction and so-called decentraliza-
ton.
"The Greenlund liquor license law of
the Cox administration sustained chief
assault in the Willis campaign. The
McDermott act, forced through the
legislature by Willis as part of Repub-
lican platform promise was passed to
decentralize the efficient Greenlund
law. The Republican governor fought
for the McDermott act even to the
point of coercion of voters and officials
Of his administration. Republican state
:. committees managed the fght. The
voters rejection of the Republican pei
law means that the people Of Ohio
stamp the Willis administration a
failure and the election thereof 9
fraud.
1.-THE Sprague gerrymander act mas
failed because it was the utterly par
tisan and unfair offering of the Willis
administration. The Republican as
sault was better and strong. Defense
against the Sprague act was staunchl!
made by the Democratic state ant
county organizations. They appealed
for fair play and they asked the peo
pl0 vi OhiO W btdiiu W thO -
ton of President Wilson. The Repub
lica state organization with Governo
Willis upheld the Sprague act by ev
: cry means urging that it meant NOR
Republican congressman and conse
quently "a restoration of high pre-
tective tariff" The people have spoh
en-. They have rejected the Republ
can state program.
"The referendum votes show plair
Iy that the people have fully realize
the deception Of the Republican can
Hpaign of 1914.
n "The people of Ohio have indicate
that next year they demand the Leaf
ership of men who personify the law
sustained by their votes on Tuesday.
Another statement Issued from Den
ocrstic state headquarters is Of simila