The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-09-03
But They viii Not Gather
Any Information
That Is Not Already known
To The Governor

Columbus, o., Sept Whatever
may be the outcome of the McDermott |
act referendum, it's perfection has
made Ohio's eleven gizzard governor"
the laughing stock of the state. His
gallery play has deceived no one, but
it has convinced his former closest
worshippers of his insufficiency. The
final act of absurdity in long series
of absurdities, is the appointment of
a smelling committe to scent out the
rottenness of the Willis official fami-
ly. When c. A. Reid, Republican, and
]. Howard Secrest, Democrat, COM
plete their work, If they ever do, they
will not be able to tell the governor
anything about which he is not already
convinced. They will scarcely be able
to do more with the Willis appoint
ees more than Willis himself could do.
They have no power to command testi-
mony. Yet everyone knows that the
Willis officials have been engaged in
seeking destruction of Willis pet
law, and signatures for referendum
have not been any harder to get be-
cause of the Willis disclaimer.
The state board of administration
has refused to accept the resignation
of General w. r. Burnett, commandant
at the Sandusky Soldiers Home, given
on request of Governor Willis, as
stated in the generals letter, "for
purely political reasons" Willis there
upon bombasticaly asserts that he has
never desired to inject politics into
any of the state institutions. What did
he call it, then, when he placed on the
board d. Staley Creamer, Glue Demo
crat, to repay political treachery, and
why is it that Mr.. Creamer is the on
ly one to vote to accept the Burnett
resignation? What did he call it
when he made the fiasco in the Ian
caster Home investigation? Oh! Will
lis! Keep your gizzard up and be
honest in this matter of politics! Par
tisan Republicans will then at least
sing your praise
There is no indication that the
"wets' as an organization are working
for the McDermott referendum. Sig
natures thereto have largely been Sc
cured by individual saloon keepers and
! l4l e,;o, tod
. by the state liquor license commits
sion. The anti-prohibition organiza'
ton, it is generally understood, will
use it's effort only in combination with
!. the Stability League, and in combina-
;. tion with the county officers, who by
), constitutional amendment, are seeking
3 an extension of their terms.
: It now becomes apparents that Gov
y ernor Willis will stop at no length to
:. prevent a referendum on the laws he
a hammered through the legislature
!. Capitol lawyers have called his atten
:. ton to a provision of the corrupt prac
d tice act which in 104 Ohio Laws, Sec
tion 5175-29-o-4 reads: Whoever, di
rectly or indirectly, by intimidation OIL
: threats, influences or seeks to infiu
ence any person to sign or abstain
/, from signing or to circulate or abstain
9 from circulating any initiative supple
t. mentary or referendum petition, shall
e upon conviction be fined not more thar
e S1OO." In the face of this provision the
y governor has threatened with dismis
- sal any state appointtes, and with re
duction of salary any county appoint
ees, who aid in circulation of any ref
r. erendum petition
lie Can anyone imagine former Cover
r nor James NJ. Cox calling upon the
lg head of the Republican press bureau
Columbus for aid and information tt