The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-10-26
STAGING
OF A Farce
In The Office Of Governor
This Week
10 Hearing Of Charges Against
Clendenning
For Activity Against McDer.
mott License Law
Evident The Thing Was Pulled
Off For Effect
And Willis Winks At Activity
OF Ills LiCeDSers
And Willis Winks At Activity
OF Ills LiceDsers

Columbus, O., Oct. % - Sublime
farce has been staged this week in the
office of Governor Willis in the hear
ing OF charges against Democratic Ii
cense Commissioner byron M. Glen
denning tor activity in the matter OF
the referendum on the McDermott law.
lhls was IN the face OF Mr.. Clenden-
ning's plea that he had done what he
couid In behalf of the refer rendum
which as q cltlzen he had a right to do,
ana as an 0ncial under oath to uphold
the etncient Greenlund law he was in
duty bound to DO.
The effort OF the governor to have
Mr.. Clenaenning turn states evil
dence" and lmplicaue q Republican
member was iutile, the accused telling
the governor that to convict q Repub
hcan ne would have to get Republican
testimony.
j. H. oecrest, the former Democratic
associate of Mr.. Clendennlng, vino
wltn hA-oenatOr Reid prosecuted the
Charges OF Willis, was accused OF bad
taltn and dOuDie dealing, Dut resented
the implication. He 0enied that he ex-
pected an appointment OF Governor
Willis OF that he had led Clenden-
ning into confidential remarks by his
own outDurst against the governor.
Mr.. Secrest said he had been fighting
to protect Democrats and also said
ne had evidence of Mr.. Clendenning's
association and arrangement with a
Republican member or members OF the
state board which as gentleman in
honor" he could not divulge. Chief
Justice" Willis with associate judges
Willis, Willis, Willis and Willis. are
sagely finding on the law in the case
which Mr.. Clendenning will promptly
and properly appeal to the supreme
court for fair hearing.
IL is evident that this farce Is staged
for effect; that Willis knows of the &C.
tivity of his licensers and still winks
at that activity; that his action now
as were his actions when the petitions
were started are taken at the eleventh
hour when he can make q poor goat"
Willis simply wants to be able to say
that he has been forced to become
the "chief saloon keeper in the state"
when he dons the white apron the day
after election.
Certain Republicans in interest as
we'll as Governor Willis and the en-
ployers' liability insurance companies.
of course, maintain that the workmen's
compensation fund is not injured by
the Taggart ruling, which licenses en-
ployers' liability insurance. Now who
should know and whom will the people
believe? The ones first referred to or
will they believe the laboring men,
whose hope and sustenance is in the
present law, and who with Governor
Cox, the man who fought for and won
compulsory workmen's compensation,
say that the Taggart ruling is harmful
unto death.
Governor Willis has been apparent
ly playing straight with Cincinnati SO
far as surface indications 60, and is
keeping up the game with the crowd
that elected him. He is not going to
take part in the campaign for prohibit
tion nor against the stability league
amendment. Though he will vote "dry"
as citizen he will remain neutral as
governor in keeping with the demand
of the anti-prohibition crowd that
backed him for election. 1t looks now
like those "wets" who voted for the
"dry" Willis had clear understanding
OF affairs. They may be awful NUTS
at times but they put 1t across here.
Now comes request for an emer-