Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1935-01-17


The condition has grown so fa-
grant here in Ohio as to create
common talk and gossip wherever
citizens meet together. The public
press editorializes. Members Of our
party publicly demand party re-
organization and thorough house
cleaning The story Of the past few
years of party domination in con-
nection with control Of legislation
is not pleasant one Criticism
has been heard on every hand to-
the effect that the Ohio legislature
has been boss-ridden and lobby
controlled. Newspaper stories have
been printed telling of the clever
means and methods used in the past
when Republican bosses controlled
legislative organizations to thwart
the will of the people: of how the
adjournments have been voted by
minorities in order to prevent the
passage of measures to the financial
detriment Of privileged groups; Of
so-called coups and trades and deals
all against the public veal. Yet. in
spite of that which has happened in
the past-with widespread knowl-
edge thereof throughout the state
attempting to organize the legisla-
ture The power of those interests
must not be underestimated In
recent Republican caucus slate of
candidates was nominated. Yet.
there was no agreement or under
standing made that any individual
Republican member of the House
should be bound by the caucus.
I believe the time has come when
those who truly love their party
must demonstrate that love by ac-
ton. The time is here now, regard.
less of how much it may hurt at
present, that, for the benefit Of the
future, our party must be purged of
the ruinous influences that are
seemingly in control. The time has
arrived when no longer should any
self-respecting, honest and sincere
Republican follow such false leader
ship.
My vote is being cast without
personal animosity towards the
nominee of the Republican caucus.
| would have been happy to have
voted for any free and uncontrolled
Republican candidate for such a
high position, but, in my opinion,
when none was presented, then, be-
lieving within my own heart and
soul that / could render real SER
vice to my party and to my state,
! am casting my vote for the candi-
date of the minority. Further,
hope my vote will initiate the be-
ginning of the return of the Repub-
lican party in Ohio to a leadership
devoted to restoring and advancing
the principles of the party and the
interests of the common people and
free it of a leadership whose para
mount idea seems to have been that
of self aggrandizement.
/ am sure that the people of my
county and of the state of Ohio who
know that | have never been con-
trolled by the lobbyists will believe
that / have voted for the interests
of the common people and for bet
ter government in Ohio. My hope
is that fair dealing will be prac-
ticed in committee assignments and
that they will be made on the basis
OF qualifications and sincerity 5of
purpose Of the member seeking
them and not on the desire of those
interested to- block Legislation Sof
general benefit. If committees are
to be packed" and to be utility,
text book company and special in
terest controlled, then / prefer that
the responsibility rest with the op~
posite party. Let me say in con-
clusion that my action does not
come as a result of any so-called
deal or agreement with the Demo-
! cratic party, or any spokesman
thereof, or the representative of any
other group The only compensa-
ton that shall receive from this
action is the knowledge that l have
performed my duty and have rem
dered service as my judgment and
conscience dictate. ask that the
Democrats, as a favor to the people
of Ohio, rid the payroll Of any pub
lie money squanderers. expense ac-
count padders and falsifyers and
grafters of whom they have some
that 1 will inform the public Of ae
tho onporfunitv nroSanfS