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OHIO LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
1913-1917
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E ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01888 3626
GC 977.1 M530
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OHIO STATE CAPITOL, SHOWING MCKINLEY MONUMENT.
Ohio Legislative History 1913-1917
Administrations of Governor's
James M. Cox - 1913-1914 Frank B. Willis - 1915-1916 James M. Cox - 1917-1918
By JAMES K. MERCER Legislative Historian
Press of THE F. J. HEER PRINTING COMPANY 55 East Main Street, Columbus, Ohio
Photos by Baker Art Gallery ; Illustrations by The Terry Engraving Company; Bound at the State Bindery
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/ohiolegislativeh00merc
INTRODUCTORY
O N March 2Ist, 1917, the 82d General Assembly of Ohio adopted by practically a unanimous vote the following :
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 38. MR. THOMPSON (Franklin)
"WHEREAS, By resolution adopted by the 80th General Assembly there has been prepared, printed and distributed one volume of the 'Ohio Legislative His- tory'; and,
"WHEREAS, The continuance of this work has been recommended by the Ohio State Librarian, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, the president of the Ohio State University, and practically all of the public libraries of Ohio, and the state printing commission has recommended this history as a fixed proposition ; and,
"WHEREAS, There are many and frequent requests from libraries and educa- tional institutions of Ohio and other states for copies of this valuable work; there- fore,
"Be it resolved by the General Assembly of the state of Ohio:
"That there is hereby authorized the preparation and printing in book form 2,000 copies of "Ohio Legislative History' for the years 1913-1917, inclusive, in connection with the official history of the administration for the same years ; the work to be done under the direction of the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The said publication to be printed and engraved, bound and finished as nearly as possible to correspond with Volume No. 1 of said history. The completed manuscript for such Volume No. 2 shall be delivered to the Supervisor of public printing, who is hereby directed to have printed and bound as herein set forth and deliver to the Secretary of State for distribution as follows: ten copies to the Ohio state library; one copy each to the different state libraries of the United States; one copy to every city circulating library in the state of Ohio; one copy to every college and high school in Ohio of the first grade; etc., etc."
In conformity with the said resolution the undersigned was duly appointed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House
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of Representatives to prepare the manuscript for said Volume 2 of "Ohio Legislative History."
It is hoped that the contents will prove interesting and valuable to all as a reliable work of reference and should the history be continued through succeeding administrations there will be no doubt of its value to the public as showing the changes in state laws and the progress in state government.
JAMES K. MERCER.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ADMINISTRATION OF JAMES M. COX, GOVERNOR OF OHIO 1913-1914.
ADMINISTRATION OF FRANK B. WILLIS, GOVERNOR OF OHIO 1915-1916.
ADMINISTRATION OF JAMES M. COX, GOVERNOR OF OHIO 1917-1918.
DEPARTMENTS OF SECRETARY OF STATE. ATTORNEY GENERAL. AUDITOR OF STATE. TREASURER OF STATE. AND ALL
APPOINTIVE HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS, COMMISSIONS, ETC.
A COMPLETE ROSTER OF EMPLOYES
IN STATE DEPARTMENTS FOR THE YEAR 1918, GIVING SALARIES, ETC.
COMPLETE ROSTERS OF THE MEMBERS
OF THE 8IST AND 82ND GENERAL ASSEMBLIES OF OHIO, AND OFFICERS OF THE 82ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
A FULL SUMMARY OF LEGISLATION
ENACTED AT THE SPECIAL SESSION OF THE SOTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN 1913, THE REGULAR SESSION OF THE SIST GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN 1915, AND THE 82ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN 1917.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF THE 82ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
LEGISLATIVE CORRESPONDENTS' ASSOCIATION.
General Index in Rear.
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ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNOR JAMES M. COX
CHAPTER I
O HIO has ever been fortunate in the choice of Chief Executive during emergency times, and never more so, than in the present greatest crisis in the world's history.
Governor James M. Cox has developed into a truly great War Exec- utive, and his party friends, as well as those who have been politically opposed to him, are proud of the record he is making for Ohio, in the tremendous War Epoch which is now engulfing almost the entire civilized world. The Buckeye State, ever quick to respond to the patriotic de- mands of the Nation, as well as to the appeals of humanity everywhere in times of suffering and distress, will be recorded in history as having done her full share in destroying the military autocracy of the Central Powers of Europe, and the great honor of this accomplishment will be largely due to the untiring energy and devoted patriotism of her Chief Executive, since war was declared with Germany.
When President Wilson made the call for troops and mobilization of the National Guard in 1917, Governor Cox was quick to respond, and, bending all his energies to the great task set for him, Ohio was among the first of the States to provide a full Army division of Volunteers in defense of the National Honor, and for Liberty and Justice throughout the world. In all correlated movements in support of the war, such as the conservation of food, the Red Cross, and the Y. M. C. A., the Gov- ernor has pledged the entire resources of the Commonwealth, and in the years to come, it will not be said that Ohio failed in any particular to uphold the honor and safety of the Nation at this critical period.
Aside from his record of achievement in behalf of the commonwealth of Ohio for the support of the great war for human liberty, the reputation of Governor Cox as Chief Executive of the State will largely rest upon his efforts for humanitarian legislation and the general uplift of the poor and helpless.
Throughout both his administrations the Governor has aimed to strengthen the workmen's compensation law so that its workings through the administration of the State Industrial Board will be of a greater per- manent benefit to both the toilers and the employers.
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In the matter of prison reform, which has been mostly a sadly neg- lected subject in Ohio, Governor Cox has caused to be written a bright page of progress for the state and this phase of his work will be more. fully set forth in the space given to the "Ohio Board of Clemency" in another part of this volume.
"Old Age Pensions" is another subject of deep concern to Governor Cox and there is no doubt but the general public will agree with his views with regard to aiding and saving the self-respect of aged and helpless residents of the state.
CHAPTER II Birth and Education
T HE familiar saying "A self-made man" was never more truthfully applied than in the case of Governor James M. Cox.
Born on a farm, his parents were modestly poor but indus- trious and ambitious for the future of their children; the mother in par- ticular being a woman of strong mentality, and from her no doubt Gov- ernor Cox received his wonderful energy and determination to succeed in the world.
Hon. James M. Cox first saw the light of day at Jacksonburg, Butler County, Ohio, March 3Ist, 1870, the son of Gilbert Cox and Elizabeth A. (Andrews) Cox. The son James received his education in the district schools and high school. He was reared on the farm, worked for some time in a printing office, then taught country school and after having some local experience as a newspaper reporter he became connected in an editorial capacity with the Cincinnati Enquirer, where he remained until he accepted the appointment of Secretary to Hon. Paul Sorg of the Third Ohio Congressional District, which position he held until the year 1898, when he purchased the Dayton Daily News.
By close application of all his energies Mr. Cox soon built up a news- paper of large influence and in the year 1903 he purchased the Springfield Press-Republic and formed the "News League of Ohio".
For a period of about ten years at this interval Mr. Cox worked incessantly in behalf of Democratic principles, and in 1908 he was re- warded 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, serving in both bodies with distinction, until he was called to the higher post of Governor.
Governor Cox has recently built a beautiful new, permanent home at Trail's End, near Dayton. When in Columbus, Governor and Mrs. Cox reside at the Hotel Deshler.
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CHAPTER III Nominated and Elected Governor.
O N Wednesday, June 5th, 1912, the Ohio Democratic State Con- vention in session at Toledo unanimously nominated Hon. James M. Cox for the office of Governor of the state, and with him were nominated, for Lieutenant Governor, Hon. Hugh L. Nichols of Batavia, Clermont County ; for Secretary of State, Hon. Charles H. Graves of Ottawa County ; for Auditor of State, Vic Donahey of Tus- carawas County ; for Treasurer of State, John P. Brennan of Champaign County ; for Attorney General, Timothy Hogan of Jackson County; for Judges of the Supreme Court, Oscar Newman of Scioto County, and William E. Scofield of Marion County.
At the election which followed, on November 5th, the entire ticket was elected with the exception of one judge of the Supreme Court, Judge R. M. Wanamaker, the ( Progressive) nominee from Summit County having been elected by a plurality of 30,334 votes.
The three leading candidates for Governor were Hon. James M. Cox, Democrat ; Gen. Robert B. Brown of Zanesville, Muskingum County, Republican, and Hon. Arthur L. Garford of Elyria, Lorain County, Pro- gressive. After a spirited campaign the result was the election of Mr. Cox by a plurality of 166,823 votes, the entire vote being: Mr. Cox, Democrat, 439,223 ; Gen. Brown, Republican, 272,500; Arthur L. Gar- ford, Progressive, 217,903; C. E. Ruthenberg, Socialist, 87,709; Daniel A. Poling, Prohibitionist, 16,607, and John Kircher, Socialist-Labor can- didate, 2,689. The total vote of the state for Governor was 1,056,067. The other candidates on the Democratic ticket were elected by the fol- lowing pluralities, to-wit :
Hugh L. Nichols, Lieutenant Governor, 149,521 ; Charles H. Graves, Secretary of State, 148,315; Vic Donahey, Auditor of State, 129,093 ; John P. Brennan, Treasurer of State, 133,255 ; Timothy S. Hogan, Attor- ney General, 151,849, and Oscar W. Newman, Judge of the Supreme Court, 27,121.
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CHAPTER IV Ohio Democratic Platform - 1912
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E it resolved by the Democracy in the state of Ohio, in convention assembled, that,
"The splendid record of constructive statesmanship made by the present Democratic National House of Representatives has won the admiration of the nation and given proof that the party is in readiness for the larger power and responsibilities about to be conferred on it.
FAVOR POSTAL EXPRESS.
"We favor the extension of the postal service by the federal govern- ment and indorse in substance the bill providing for a postal express now pending in Congress, heretofore favorably reported by the interstate and foreign commerce committee of the house.
"In complete control of the legislative and executive power for the first time in twenty years, the Democratic party in Ohio in two years has a record of progressive and constructive achievement almost unparalleled in the history of American commonwealths; a record in signal contrast with that of the Republican oligarchy so long in control, which, in its alliance with privilege, has used the public treasury for the enrichment of its petty bosses and its captains of industry. Such a record entitles the Democracy to a continuation in power at the hands of the people of Ohio.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS REVIEWED.
"The Democratic party in practical reaffirmation of its allegiance to the doctrine that all political power is inherent in the people, has restored to them their weapons of self-defense through the initiative and refer- endum for cities, and by giving them the direct nomination and election of United States senators ; it has made possible the rehabilitation of the judiciary by the creation of a non-partisan ballot for the election of judges. For the first time in the history of Ohio, railroads and other public service corporations are paying taxes upon the same basis as the farm and home. By the enactment of a public utilities law, the rates, services and capitalization of these giant corporations, so long free from public control, are being regulated.
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"The limitations of the hours of labor for women and the establish- ment of a workmen's compensation commission are an earnest of the desire of the Democracy to rescue those workers made helpless by indus- trial conditions and combinations. The control of the institutions of the state, long a source of public scandal, inefficiency and divided responsi- bility, has been committed to a central board of administration in accord- ance with the modern principles of economic and efficient business man- agement.
GRAFT PROSECUTION CITED.
"The nonpartisan prosecution of bi-partisan grafters ; the inaugura- tion of a system of competitive bidding for the use of the state funds, instead of placing these funds, as heretofore, in the banks of favorite political friends ; the enactment of a law to prevent corrupt practices at elections ; the establishment of a reformatory for women, and the intro- duction of agricultural instruction in the schools, are evidences not only of the desire of the Democracy to serve, but also of its ability and com- petency to administer the state government in the interest of the people.
"The record of the past is the promise of the future.
"The Democratic party stands, first, for a restoration of the govern- ment to the people through direct legislation and through the simplifica- tion of the machinery of government so that the people may adequately express themselves; and, second, for legislation looking to the abolition of privilege and to the restoration of equal opportunity to all.
SHORT BALLOT ADVOCATED.
"To this end, we favor :
"First, a short ballot in the selection of administrative officers, as a means for insuring greater scrutiny in the selection of public officials, and for fixing and centralizing responsibility.
"Second, separate ballots for state and national officers.
"Third, home rule for cities and villages, including the question of public or private ownership and operation of all public utilities.
"Fourth, the immediate valuation of the property, tangible and in- tangible, of all public utilities of this state, to the end that rates for service to the public shall be based on actual values and not upon capitalization.
"Fifth, home rule in taxation.
"Sixth, the adoption of the proposed amendment to the Constitution providing for the initiative and referendum in state matters.
"Seventh, a further reduction in the hours of labor for women and further restriction on the right of employment of children in workshops and factories.
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GOOD ROADS ARE URGED.
"Eighth, the ratification of the proposed amendment to the Federal Constitution providing for the direct election of United States senators.
"Ninth, legislation looking to the improvement of the roads and high- ways of the state.
"Tenth, continuation of the reform in the conduct of the state's penal institutions, which has been inaugurated. Abandonment of the present prison system. A new penitentiary should be built and conducted upon plans drawn in accordance with the modern thought on this subject; making the regeneration of prisoners the aim of the state.
"We indorse and approve the administration of Governor Judson Harmon and the Democratic state officials as the best the state of Ohio has ever had and we invite the attention of the electorate to their achieve- ments as a guarantee of the continuation of such faithful servants.
"We favor the regulation of the liquor traffic by license and strict control, when and where the people decide the traffic shall be lawful and therefore urge the adoption of the license proposal as submitted by the constitutional convention."
CHAPTER V Ohio Democratic Campaign Opening (From Ohio Democratic Text Book, 1912.)
W ITH, a flow of oratory from the lips of several of the party's most eminent leaders, including Governor Woodrow Wilson, presidential candidate ; Congressman James M. Cox, candidate for governor ; United States Senator T. P. Gore, of Oklahoma; Mayor Newton D. Baker and candidates on the state ticket, the Ohio Democratic campaign was opened in Columbus, September 20, before an enormous crowd - the largest and most enthusiastic that ever attended a similar event in the old Buckeye state.
There was a strong current of optimism that energized all, a feeling that the party's standard-bearers would conquer in the present contest inspired enthusiasm, and there was a snap and vim about the opening that were exceedingly pleasing to the candidates, Chairman W. L. Finley and his associates on the state Democratic executive committee, whose combined efforts are responsible for this new chapter in Democratic polit- ical history.
Congressman Cox arrived early from Dayton, his home, and Gov- ernor Woodrow Wilson, accompanied by Mr. Finley, reached the city early. Both candidates were greeted by cheering multitudes at the depots and were escorted to their headquarters in the Southern hotel through streets packed with cheering and applauding masses of humanity. It was Governor Wilson's first appearance in the state for speech-making in public, and the warmth of the greeting given him will cause the candidate to remember his Columbus visit as one of the most pleasing in his career.
The strenuous program arranged was carried out in full and without delay. The presidential and gubernatorial candidates spoke at an organi- zation meeting at I p. m. in Memorial hall, addressed a large audience of college presidents, professors, school superintendents, teachers and stu- dents in the Chamber of Commerce auditorium at 2:30 p. m., discussed the issues before an assemblage of business men and commercial travelers in the City hall auditorium at 3:15 p. m., called upon Governor Harmon in the Ohio executive offices, greeted thousands of electors, women and Princeton alumni at a public reception at the Southern hotel, occupied places of honor in a monster impromptu parade that was featured with ?
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grand pyrotechnical display, and closed the day by addressing a monster evening meeting in Memorial hall commencing at 7:30 p. m.
Congressman Cox spoke as follows :
"In the formal opening of the campaign by the Ohio Democracy, it seems most fitting and proper that the first word should be spoken by the present chief executive of our commonwealth, who has been such a useful and potential force in redeeming the principles of integrity and efficiency in government and who soon retires from his exalted station in the flower of vigorous manhood, assured of the abiding gratitude of our people for service rendered in the public behalf. And the felicity of the occasion is added to by the presence of another state governor who brings his encouragement and co-operation, yea his congratulations to a sister state which has recently been given the constitutional facilities to work out a genuine democracy, grounded upon the principles of our fathers, and stimu- lated by the advanced thought of a larger experience and a higher civilization. We welcome the man from Princeton halls, where his concept and courage established an equality of young manhood over the old order of preference, class and snobbery. We share in the pride he has inspired in all Americans by his achievements, wrought by a clarity of vision that ranks him with Jefferson, a breath of human brotherhood that classes him with Lincoln, and a courage and dogged devotion to right rather than expediency which will give us another Andrew Jackson.
"In the present crisis when the evolutions and processes of time, suggest that the human unit rather than property shall claim first con- sideration in our laws, when the progress of the race demands an enlarged social justice under our institutions we are impressed with the force of an observation made long ago that in the life of our republic the hazard always makes the man. The emergency of the hour calls for a man versed in the history of human events and the significance they bear to governmental control of our society. As in other days a robust American citizenship meets the call and supplies the man, abundantly endowed by nature, equipped by years of earnest intellectual labor and steeled in practical experience. He is so obviously the man of the hour that one hundred millions of people whose confidence he has won and whose affections he will quicken, await now the mere formality of his selection by them as chief magistrate of the nation. In this presence let him feel the earnestness of our assurance that Ohio will strike no false note in the national harmony and that our electoral vote will be cast for him.
THE ISSUES OUTLINED.
"The issue in Ohio, so far as purely state matters are concerned, is whether Democratic rule is to continue or whether the machinery of government shall be turned back to the political party in power when Governor Harmon was chosen four years ago.
"Now let us analyze this matter calmly in the face of undisputed facts c history :
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"First-Was the Republican administration honest or efficient, and has the present Democratic regime shown the characteristics named ?
"The scandalous handling of public moneys, their placement in the banks of favored political friends, and the personal profits acquired in the form of interest on the funds of the people, are transactions so well known that they need scarcely be recalled. The state was so horrified that remedial legislation was passed under Democratic supervision, and the interest profit belonging by right always to the state, is now legally so provided.
"For years the irregularities of the canal ring amounted to a public disgrace. Through Governor Harmon's vigilance they were exposed and the people have by constitutional change provided for the abandonment of the state board of public works, and placed this machinery of government with the governor through appointment of a superintendent for a term of but one year. Legislative com- mittees of investigation until halted in their work by a decision of the supreme court, were uncovering situations, created by official dishonesty, that shocked the sensibilities of the people.
WHY DEMOCRATS WON.
"The plain truth is that practically every important piece of legis- lation passed within the last two years, was for the vigorous purpose of tearing out the veins and arteries of a political system, built up by Republican leaders with such finesse that it reached and demoralized government in most every community and made the conduct and existence of our institutions a mere travesty on intelligence and morality.
"In the campaign of 1908 this situation was charged by the Democratic candidate for governor. In his first term, which followed, the accusations were proven. In the election of 1908 the people through suspicion that something was wrong, elected Mr. Harmon governor by something over 20,000 plurality. In 1910 when well based suspicions became a conviction with the people, the plurality of two years before was multiplied by five and public resentment was registered in an election result almost without precedent in its size and significance.
"The further observation should be made that the adoption of so many amendments to our constitution was due in considerable degree, at least to a public desire to have the necessary means to correct conditions revealed by recent disclosures in our state. Let it be recorded now, as something more than a mere coincidence that no Republican speaker in the present state campaign will refer with pride to the administration of affairs supplanted by public protest in 1908.
A NEWER AND BETTER ORDER.
"In contrast to the conditions just recited, we submit a newer and better order of things. During their incumbency there has been neither hint nor accusation against the Democratic governor and state officials. On the other hand both their official integrity and efficiency are admitted. Furthermore the legislation enacted under this control is the most important and constructive in the last 50 years of Ohio's history.
"Second-Is the Republican party in such shape as to justify public con- fidence in any administration it might by popular consent establish in Ohio?
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"It is split by seemingly irreconcilable differences. The feeling manifested by the two branches toward each other exceeds in bitterness and rancor th: partisan controversies common to other days. Two tickets carrying candidates for every state office have been placed in the field. The two platforms of prin- ciples have been proclaimed, showing that there are more than mere personal political matters to be reconciled. The conclusion is justified that if either branch of the Republican party were to succeed at the polls the confusion in both administration and legislation would be greater than it now is in the internal affairs of that once great organization. There is neither harmony of policy nor cohesion in action, and if the state government were given over to either wing public affairs would be drawn into a mess much the same as the presidency was recently lowered in a regrettable controversy.
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