Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1923-11-01
THOSE PROPOSALS

There are three proposed amend
ments to the constitution of this
state to be voted on at the election
next Tuesday One of these amend
ments is in reference to the Work
mems Compensation. This we feel
is beneficial measure. 1t strength
ems the present law increasing
weekly benefits from SIS to $1S.75,
and death benefits from $4,000 to-
$500. There are other provisions
of the law and those who have care
fully examined the proposed change,
feel that it is fair to both employer
and employe.
The elective franchise amend
ment simply takes the words white
male" out of the constitution. At
present it provides that only white
male citizens of the age of 81 years
are entitled 10 vote. Since our pres
ent state constitution was adopted,
citizens of all races, including
women, have been given the right to
vote, and it is the plan to make the
state and national constitution har-
monte.
The publication of proposed legis-
lation is the third constitutional
amendment. This deals with the
publication of notices of proposed
law or constitutional amendments,
for and against As the constitu-
tion is now, it requires the secretary
of state to mail or otherwise dis
tribute" proposed amendments to
each of the electors of the state.
This change while just as effective,
if not more so, would also be fl
nancial saving as we'll
There are also three legislature
proposals to be submitted to the
electors The first one to appear
on the ballot is the Taft law. While
practically all will agree that we
need a change in tax laws, we do
not favor this measure. What is
needed is a tax saving law, and not
a tax spending measure. This law
permits an increase Of tWomills in
every city and village in the state on
the property which is now paying
such heavy taxes, and makes no pro
vision to secure revenue from tho
wealth Of Ohio which has been un-
taxed FOR years. It permits an i'm
mediate increase in the tax rate OF
tWo-miils in every city and village
in the state, by placing future sink
ing fund and interest charges out
side Of The limitations.
Tie farmer is being lcd 20 be
lieva that he is to he favored witt
a mill limitation as against ]
mills III he cities and villages. Thf
farmer had better make q close
study Of Section p Of he Taft bii
in which is Included Section 243t
Of the OhiO Statutes. This sectiCl
gives the county commissioners th'
power TO issue bonds UP to 2@o Of th'
duplicate OF the townships. Thes
bonds and the tax which the count.
auditors are required to levy at tn
time the issue is authorized, arr
placed outside all limitations. Thi
one item alone viii undoubtedl,
raise the tax rate in the countr
districts o a higher point than it i
at present.
"Albaugh assessors law is an
other measure for the voters TO con
slider. This bill as proposed doe
away with township assessors. /
their place would be a county boar
of assessors made up or the presl
dent OF the county commissioners
prosecuting attorney and count
auditor Their duties would be t
list and value all real and persona
property within the county, eXcer
as otherwise provided by law. Thi
board is empowered to appoint e>
perts, deputies, etc. While this la'
seems TO be a practical one, it
ha{ tn n atrf fcta
will increase the cost of governmen
over 4 million dollars annually.
The proposal which is discusse
more thar ali others combined is tn
old age pension law. We hav
hitherto dwelt 1T some length o
this measure, and we are very dc
cidedly opposed 10 it. While som
states lave old age pension law
there are none so loosely drawn a