The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-09-09

tive public opinion was forming, he
has usually not been heard from un-
til others have made known their
views. The challenge is for Senator
Harding to produce a single instance
of taking the lead on a single ques-
ton.
Before Cox became congressman
from the Dayton district, he learned
how to be one. He was a reporter
when Paul ]. Sorg, a wealthy Ohio
manufacturer, who had been elected
to congress, offered him the position
as private secretary With his ap-
plication and energy, Cox mastered
the details and relieved Mr.. Sorg Of
many responsibilities. Cox was ell
ected to congress in 1908, again in
1910. He does not now look his
age by ten years. When, smooth
faced and looking not much than a
youth, he first sought recognition on
the floor of the house, Uncle Joe"
Cannon, then speaker asked, it is re-
lated
Who's the boy?"
Thereupon Cox attacked t h e
tariff bill, then under discussion,
with such force that, as he sat down
Uncle joe" remarked: THE
youngster will do"
In his second term, Mr. Cox was a
member of the committee on appro-
priations. There, in the lack of sys-
tenn in handling the appropriation
measures, he had lesson which he
took to the governors chair. He aad
seen what waste was in Washington;
he resolved TO protect Ohio by the
adoption of a budget system, if pos
sible. He was the first governor to
get a budget act enabling and re-
quiring the governor to study all de-
partments and to make a tentative
budget for legislative consideration. /
He sent special commissioner to
New York to study budget making |
and supported the commissioner in a |
budget school for state officers.
Notwithstanding the increased cost !
of everything during and since the
l
been increased, owing. in large part,
to the efficiency of the budget
system, it is stated. Tax valuations
have been in accordance with the in
crease in the value of property. In
vestigation of other budget systems,
by trained men sent to make obser
walton on the spot, is but character
istic of Governor Cox's method of
on the basis of experience.
He did the same thing with regard
10 the workmen's compensation act.
All his previous experience as
teacher, reporter, editor and pub
Usher, congressman, converged into
MS larger career when in 1912 he
made his race for governor of Ohio.
He stumped the state in behalf of
/ progressive constitution and then
or progressive legislation to carry
tut the objects of the constitution.
There were fifty-six of these progress Z
i've measures. Cox called them
The New Era" or 1.-The new order :
# things" From the budget they
extended through non-partisan judi :
ciary, statewide main market and
road system, prison :
eform, initiative and referendum, .
minimum wages for women, CONSOLE :
alton of duplicating bureaus and .
COMMISSIONS, an anti profiteering
old storage law and widows pen .
ion and school reform measures.
n every one of the long list, there is .
special story bearing on some form
t human betterment, but who can .
cad the records of the two nominees
nd for a moment question the SUI :
erior qualifications of Cox, or .
ouht but that the great mass of
ne people will recognize his quail :
es and place him in the White
louise? =.