The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-11-28
A TALE OF coAT-TAILs

A Willis organ malcontent has
sneeringly referred to Cox as "a coat
tail governor" attempting to convey
a meaning thereby that Cox was
swept in by the popular wave for Will
son.
Maybe he was, and maybe he
wasn't. Who knows?
If Cox profted by the popular ad-
ninistration of Wilson, then Gov.
Willis was ''hoist by his own petard."
That isn't very cheerful reflection
for Willis to contemplate.
Let's dig up little recent political
history in Ohio.
Among the reform and progressive
enactments of the so-called Cox legis-
dental and state elections, by having
separate ballots-the one for presl-
dental electors and the other for
state, district and county officers.
This was a wholesome law, like all
the progressive measures put through
under Gov. Cox, and was enacted in
response to healthy public demand
1t was in keeping with the best
thought of the commonwealth.
Under the operation of this Cox
law. candidates for state, district and
county Offices stood by themselves
and went before the people on their
own individual merits. At the time
of its enactment the Wilson admins
tration had already made good and
had intrenched itself in the hearts of
the people of the country, and in no
state stronger than in Ohio.
Cox had no personal or selfish in
terest to conserve by separating pres
idential and state elections, as at the
time of the enactment of the law
there was no thought that there would
be situation that would bring him
out as a candidate for governor in
1915, the first year an election would
be held under the law. If he desired
20 play party politics alone, he would
not have recommended such law,
MS even at that day il was evident
that Wilson would prove very pop
ular candidate and that If the old
form OF ballot remained, all associ.
ates on the ticket with the president
would profit by his popularity
But Cox is a man of high ideals,
and a matter of the right furnishes
the governing impulse with him.
. AS viewed by Cox, IL was right to
separate the presidential from the
state and county election, and he saw
that Il was done
Then came along Gov. Willis To
his suspicious and puny mind, moth
ing was good that Cox did With ii
mistaken vision, that 80 characterizes
him, he construed his election two
years ago as mandate to tear down
all that Cox had built. Perhaps he
also conceived that his own election
I'm 1916 would be made easier by re.
turning to the old plan. His method
Oi TedSOnIlBt AZ SHOWN an dlohb
gives good foundation for the belief
that he was playing his usual peanut
politics and looking after what he
thought would be his own personal
selfish interests by having the Cos
law for separate elections repealed
and the old order re-established Ans
no caused 1t to be done.
This little bit of recent legislative
history points moral and adorn'
q tale"
The chances are that II there hat
been separate elections law, tina
Willis would have been defeated by
a larger plurality than that whicl
caused him to fall by the wayside,
But II Cox is a "coat-tail governor,
what was willis trying to be when h,
restored the old form of ballot
Doubtless, with a selfish aim, he wa
expecting TO ride into second tern
On q presidential coat-tail In an,
event. the joke. grim one at that, 1
On Willis.
So much for the tale OF coat-taiIs.