The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-03-16

representing the worst epOch IN Oh1O'S
state government.
Early in the present session of the
legislature in these columns attention
was originally called to the fact that
the special interests and associates
would thrive Well there are many
corporation lobbyists and some of the
elective officials are now eating better
meals than they ever got at home. To
date the story of the "Slst" has been
bad enough. But take heart. The
worst is yet to come.
Governor Willis shrewdly laid plan
to place on Democatic shoulders the
responsibility for continuation Of the
present tax system through the assess
ment period of 1915 has reacted
against himself, the Democrats having
declined to fall into the trap. OF course
it is too late now to stop the idea of
discrediting the Warnes law by put
ting enemies Of the system on the state
the strength of the administration but
that Is the Republican governors fun
eral. After conference with Peter
Durr, auditor of Hamilton county, Gov
ernOr Willis had introduced the little
ripper" tax measure by Representa-
tive Better, of Hancock county, de-
signed to substitute county auditors
for the district tax assessors under
the Warnes law, preparatory to the
big ripper" which is to follow, and
which II is certain will be held up by
the people who pay the bulk of taxes.
Governor Willis had previously au-
thorized through his press agents the
false announcement that the Demo
Gratis had been obstructing tax legisla-
tion. when as matter of fact there
had been no measure before the legis-
lature. Discovered In the act of dodg-
ing the governor caused to be offered
the Beitler bill in the hopes that the
Democrats would defeat the emergen-
cy clause and supply the evidence of
record that they were obstructionists
of his program what little there might
be of It, But the Democrats while OPP
posing the law strenuously did not do
as he thought they would and they al
lowed the emergency to go, SO that 1t
might be recorded that they stood for
the principle OF the law and not for the
Jobs 1t might give. Now the governor
finds a law half passed and on its way
to him labeled administration meas.
ure" and he does not want 1t. He caus-
ed hint to be thrown out to that ef
feet and some of the leaders who were
pushing 1t, rs they thought in accord
ance with his wishes, went to Willis.
What the result of the conference is
conjecture, but senate leaders declare
the Beitler bill is to be smothered by
fair means or foul. In this action is Civ.
en- not only evidence of the fact that
Gov, Willis is attempting to dictate
to the legislature without getting
| caught but that he is interfering with
| action taken to such extent that the
legislative members do not know
| where to turn. The Beitler bill was a
bluff that got called, and now Willis
| finds himself with his men on the
state tax commission and all the jobs
at his command he has all that he
wants for the time being and the Belt
Ter measure creates an awkward prop.
osition. The probability is that after
the death OF the Beitler bill the deputy
assessors will be retained until the
spring grubbing Is done and then fred.
Tho big ripper" will later be placed
In effect and then the tax dodger will
come into his own, In the meantime
the administration hopes to slip along
and get through by blaming the pre-
ceding administration for the troubles
of 1919, and passing through the elec,
ton OF 1916 before the people get wise
to what Is going on. II remains to be
seen how far this policy OF evasion In
government can 30 before 1t hits the
rocks. Ohio's ship of state is the kind
that needs an honest pilot.
Another corporation measure has
made Its appearance for the purpose
OF driving out competition In the op
Grafton OF public utilities. and permit
ting the state utilities commission tc
exercise judgment In the matter OF
new businesses. This is the first of the
corporation lobby bills which have ap
peared In the open, since Mayor New
ton ID. Baker of Cleveland appeared tt
expose the idea OF some slepers whicl
had been slipped in sidewise In mat
ters OF apparently local Significance
The corporation lobbyists are IL
charge OF things and there may b,
breakers ahead