The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-04-27
That Willis Administration Is
Nursing forIurn Hope
In Sizeup Of National Affairs
Is Growing Apparent

COlumDuS, w., April I4-Hard on the
heels of the Wickline election bill
which has passed the senate with all
its danger to honest elections in the
state comes another administration
election measure which is even more
pernicious. Two years ago in response
to the general demand for more free.
dom in elections the provision was
made for a separation of national and
state ballots; this would permit of the
exercise of judgment at elections and
tend to break strict party vote in a
presidential landslide. Seeing in this
a loss of strength in case of Repub-
lican swing in the nation in 1916, and
realizing it's weakness in standing
alone on it's unenviable record, the ad-
ministration backed the bill introduced
by Representative Hulswitt, of Cincin-
natl, to join the presidential and state
candidates. This bill has already been
permitted to pass the house and is
pending in the senate. 1t should not
be allowed to become a law. 1t is
protested in all parts of the state by
those who for years have been fighting
for election reforms. The Hulswitt bill,
coming as it does from Cincinnati
where all elections are always under
suspicion, is especially Objectionable.
That the Willis administration Is
nursing forlorn hope in it's sizeup of
national affairs is every day more evil
dent. Factories are beginning to boom,
million dollar orders are being placed,
and there is no doubt that the good
times have burst the bands of restraint
laid on them by Wall street. Even the
New York Sun, which has been the
most rabid critic of President Wilson
and his policies. is now out with a
strong editorial commencing the presi-
dent which closes as follows:
with only two eXceptions-Wash-
ington and Lincoln-has any president
of the United States had so many and
perilous situations to confront and
manage as has President Wilson. He
the government and preserved peace.
The people of the United States owe
him for these things their grateful
support. The open advocacy of war
against Mexico by some of the presi-
dents opponents and the passionate
advocacy of war against Germany by
former President Roosevelt indicates
clearly what might nave happened If
the helm of the ship OF state had been
in other hands. And it is possible that
not half the difficulties, the trials and
labors of the calm, composed and firm
patriot who now has largely the des-
tinies of the country in his keeping,
are known to his peope."
The exposure of Mary E. Lee, female
lobbyist, and the hold she has on the
present administration, with her dis
regard of the resolution of the state
grange that there should be no ripper
of the advanced school legislation of
the Cox administration, has caused
her summary dismissal as legislative
agent of Pomona Grange in Franklin
county. In these columns was told OF
the pernicious activity of Mary Lee
for the Plumb-Stone school ripper and
her absolute domination of the MAORI
ty in the legislature, with her conse
quent insolent sway of the chief execu
tive. Her actions brought to the notice
of the grange she was called to ac
count her resignation demanded and
received. She still represents the SO
called Ohio School Federation, which
she maintains by subscription so thai
she may register as lobbyist ant
work for such measures as may bes
serve her own ends. Defeat of the uni
form text book measure asked b,