The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-02-16
PicayuRish Economy Grand.
standing Still Goes On
And The Legislature Is Cost
ing $4,000 Per Day

Columbus, o., Feb. 13-The Demo
cratic minorities in the Eighty-first
general assembly are now considering
a plan of proposal to the Republican
majorities which will give to the ad-
ministration its desire in the matter
of job-hunting and patronage, and at
the same time save thousands of dol
lars of useless expense to the tax
payers of Ohio and prevent the amend
ment or destruction OF the good Demo
cratic laws now on the statute books
as the work of the Eightieth assem-
bly,.
In the failure to amend the Cox
Workmen's Compensation act and the
rejection of the initial measure, as
we'll as in the failure to pass the bill
to repeal the Cox Indeterminate SEN
tence law when first called for hear
ing, is seen the lack of Republican
unanimity in the matter of destruc-
tion. Democratic members of the as
sembly see every day, however, that
every political measure or plan point
ing toward getting Republicans in Of
fee, is met with enthusiasm. So that
now it appears that it would be the
part of wisdom in the Democrats,
whose sole desire is the protection of
the Democratic laws of the last admin
istration, to assist the Republicans in
throwing down all the bars that lead
to the patronage pasture. Inasmuch
as Office and patronage is the hearts
balm the Republicans, seek, the legis-
lature, which has been in session for
six weeks at daily cost of between
three and four thousand dollars, could
then adjourn as matter of economy.
Seeing in the plan to make cut in
salary in the Office of superintendent
Of insurance, further effort to make
political capital on the part of the
majority in the general assembly. SEN
ate Leader Hopple and House Lead
er Kramer successfully defeated the
emergency clause. These gentlemen
have some ideas of their own about
economy as they have also some ideas
about service, and 1t is likely that a
general move toward salary reduc-
tion will come from the Democratic
side in the assembly. An inkling of
the plan to cut the salary of the gov
ernor to $4,000 having come to the
ears Of Willis, he is said to have fav-
ored the Introduction by Republican
of q bill to cut the executive salary
to $4,000, as this would save him
$4,000 on his meal ticket, and still
have the same political effect as bunk
in the next campaign.
The pet bill of Governor Willis to
repeal the students voting law Is
dead and buried In committee. and
the Republicans helped to do the
deed This was the first test in the
senate of the mastering strength oi
the Democrats. The measure was
only saved from an ignominious de
feat on the floor when Senator How
ard, Republican floor leader, saw what
was coming, and himself moved thai
the bill be referred back to commit
tee, there to stay.
%
When Price Russell, superintendent
of insurance named by Governor Cox
peremptorily discharged Robert Small
chief deputy, for his lese majestic II
testimony before the probe commit
tee, he surprised the committee
Governor Willis and Mr.. Small, bu
he furnished amusement and satisfac
tion to the Democrats upstate. Nov
the committee is trying to find som
contempt law to apply to Russell, VIII
has resigned, the Governor is tryin
the find man to apply to the Job, an