The Washington herald., 1920-07-06
Progressive Laws in Ohio
Brought Governor to
Prominence.

A dual record of achievement
both as war governor and a force
full worker for humanitarian legfs-
lation, belongs to Gov. James M.
Cox, Of Ohio.
During the war period Gov. Cox
bent all of his energies to throw
the full resources of the. Buckeye
State, both In man power and mate
rial wealth, into the struggle. The
correlated movements in support OF
the war, such as the conservation
of food, the Red Cross and the Y.
M. c. A, also found in him a will
ing and energetic supporter.
But the reputation of Gov. Cox as
a chief executive rests largely upon
his efforts to secure enactment OF
liberal legislation to benefit the en-
ployed class. His work to strengthen n
the workmen's compensation law,
and for prison reform and old-age
pensions are, perhaps, the high
spots" of his administration.
His Mother Resourceful.
The rather threadbare phrase, "a
self-made man" can be applied to
Gov. Cox in it's full sense. Born on
a farm, his parents were modestly
poor, but Industrious and ambitious
for the future of their children, the
mother, in particular, being a wom-
an of strong mentality. From her,
no doubt, Gov. Cox absorbed his
energy and determination to- sue
ceed in the world.
Gov. Cox was born at Jacksonburg
Butler County, Ohio, on March 81.
1870, the son of Gilbert Cox and
Elizabeth A. Cox. nee Andrews. He
received his education in the coun-
try district schools and high school.
He was reared on the farm, worked
for some time in printing ONCE
then taught country school. After
experience as a newspaper reporter,
he became connected with the Gin
cinnati Enquirer in an editorial
capacity. He remained on this paper
until he accepted an appointment as
secretary to Representative Paul
Sorg, of the Third Ohio Congress
sional district, which position he
held until 1898, when he purchased
the Dayton Daily News.
Twice Elected to Congress.
BY concentration of his energies.
the young editor soon built up q
newspaper of wide influence, and in
1903, purchased the Springfield
Press-Republic and formed the
News League of Ohio"
For about ten years at this period
of his life, the destined governor
worked necessarily in behalf of
Democratic principles. In 1908, he
was rewarded with the Democratic
nomination to Congress by the
Third Ohio district. He was elected
to the Sixty-first Congress and re-
elected to the Sixty-second Congress
before being called to the higher
post OF governor.
In his first campaign for the gov
ernorship, Representative Cox, as
he was then, received the support Of
such national figures as President
Wilson, then governor of New Jer-
sey, and a Presidential candidate;
senator T. P. Gore, of Oklahoma, and
Newton D. Baker, then mayor of
Cleveland.
In a speech in Memorial Hall, in
Cincinnati. Cox prophesied the
achievements of the Wilson admins
tration in the most enthusiastic
terms. In speaking of Wilson, he
said, He is so obviously the man Of
the hour that 100, 100000 of people
whose confidence he has won and
whose affections he will quicken,
his selection by them as chief magis-
trate of the nation.
In his fight for the governorship,
Cox placed emphasis on the irregu-
larities and graft pervading the
former Republican administrations.
Cox also advocated the clearing
out of Republicans from office
throughout the State.
f1 Nd
that the State government be placed
which has shown an earnest interest
in the new order of things" he said.
Urged Prison Reform.
The short ballot, home rule for
cities. a revaluation of public utili-
ties, the initiative and referendum,
popular election of Senators, prison
reform and Strengthening of the en-
ployes' compensation provisions were
other planks in the Cox platform.
In speaking of prison reform. he
said:
Would ii not be a finer order
of justice to place our penitentiary
on a paying basis, turn labor to
profit, compensate the prisoner for
work performed, subtract the cost
of his keep and send the remainder
to the families deprived of support
by the tragedy?
Regulation of business Is another
pet reform of the governors.
There are those profiting by un-
fair preference and advantage over
their fellows, who with purse and
voice always resist the regulation Of
business" he said. ....-... -,
why should the law not regulate
business which is simply the mate
rial product of society? So long as
schools and churches and universi-
ties, so long as a greater civiliza-
ton that spurs every fiber Of hu-
manity, continue to make life bet
ter and sweeter. so long as science
continues its subtle play on human
development, so long as we are lift
ed to a higher moral outlook, gov
ernment must go on with us. 1t 10
to be a constak aid. not a bar to
our better destiny. BY surround
ing society with wholesome condi-
tions you build human character. II