USA > Ohio > Ohio legislative history, 1913-1917 > Part 14
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"A rose to the living is more than sumptuous wreathes to the dead; in filling love's infinite store, a rose to the living is more if graciously given before the hungering spirit has fled. - A rose to the living is more than sumptuous wreathes to the dead."
If mother is living, have you seen or written to her lately? If not, do so on Mother's Day. Smooth out the wrinkled brow of care and let
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OHIO LEGISLATIVE HISTORY.
mother know of your appreciation and affection. If she has gone away cherish her sacred memory in unforgetting devotion.
In memory of our mothers, living or dead, I request that Sunday, May 9th, be appropriately observed by all the people of Ohio as Mothers' Day; as a token of her purity and constancy I urge that every resident of the State wear on that day a white carnation or some other white flower; and I earnestly suggest that on Sunday, May 9th, the National colors be appropriately displayed on all public buildings and that mayors of municipalities heartily cooperate to give the widest observance to this occasion wherein all may honor themselves by paying proper tribute of respect and affection to our mothers.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and caused the Great Seal of the State of Ohio to be affixed at Columbus, this Ist day of May, A. D., One Thousand Nine Hundred and Fifteen.
[SEAL ]
FRANK B. WILLIS, Governor.
By the Governor :
C. Q. HILDEBRANT, Secretary of State.
HON. CHARLES Q. HILDEBRANT.
HON. CHARLES Q. HILDEBRANT
The Secretary of State of Ohio for the years 1915-1916 was Hon. Charles Quinn Hildebrant, Republican of Wilmington, Clinton County. Mr. Hildebrant was born at Wilmington, O., Oct. 17th, 1864, the son of Jefferson Hildebrant and Margaret M. (Quinn) Hildebrant. The son Charles received his education in the public schools at Wilmington College and Ohio State University. He was married to Miss Adda J. Haines Oct. 14th, 1886. Mr. Hildebrant was associated with his father in the Hildebrant book store at Wilmington and as a traveling salesman until in 1890 when he was elected clerk of the Clinton County Courts in which position he served three terms.
In the year 1900 Mr. Hildebrant was nominated and elected as a Republican Congressman for the old 6th Ohio district and he was re-elected in 1902 serving two terms.
He was nominated and elected Secretary of State by the Repub- lican party in the year 1914, and in the year 1916 he was defeated for re-election by William D. Fulton, Democrat, the plurality in favor of Mr. Fulton being 20,636.
141
HON. RUDOLPH WELLMAN ARCHER.
HON. RUDOLPH WELLMAN ARCHER, Treasurer of State, 1915-'16
One of the most efficient as well as the most popular Republican who has filled the office of State Treasurer in Ohio is the subject of this sketch.
Rudolph W. Archer was born at Bellaire, Belmont County, Ohio, September 20th, 1869. His father Orlando G. Archer was born at the same place. The son "Rudy" attended the public schools until the age of 10 years when he was compelled to go to work in a glass factory as "carrying-in" boy and here he remained for 26 years finally reaching the position of one of the head glass blowers.
Mr. Archer has always been active in politics and he was several times a member of the Republican County Central Committee, and he served six years as Tax Collector for Bellaire. In 1905 he was nominated and elected County Treasurer of Belmont County and he was re-elected in 1907 serving two terms.
He served as chairman of the Republican County Committee for several years and in 1910 received the Republican nomination for State Treasurer but met with defeat at the polls. Mr. Archer was again nominated in 1912 when he met with the same fate. In 1914 however he was elected Treasurer of State receiving a plurality of 40,593 over his Democratic opponent, Hon. John P. Brennan of Champaign County.
On May 5th, 1905, Mr. Archer was united in marriage with Urno Hannah St. John Archer of Bellaire, O.
Upon retiring from the office of State Treasurer Mr. Archer en- gaged in the real estate business at Cleveland, O., and in April, 1916, he accepted the position of secretary of the Republican State "Advisory" Committee with headquarters at Columbus.
143
HON. EDWARD S. TURNER.
DEPARTMENT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL
Hon. Edward C. Turner, Attorney General of Ohio during the years 1915-'16, is a native of Franklin County. He is forty-four years of age and a graduate of Ohio State University, with the degrees of LL.B. and LL.M. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and Shriner, Odd Fellow and Elk. He is a Republican.
In the administration of his office, Mr. Turner's chief considerations were efficiency, economy and impartiality. Notwithstanding the great increase in every branch of the work, during his incumbency he reduced the running expenses of the department almost $5,000.00 a month, or more than $85,000.00 in the first eighteen months. The work of the department was handled expeditiously and with excellent results.
During the eighteen months ending June 30th, 1916, the only figures available at this time, Mr. Turner collected and covered into the state treasury the sum of $589,067.40, in sums ranging from 8 cents up. This is the largest sum of money, from the largest number of persons, ever collected by the department during a similar period of time. In fact, the increase alone would have been sufficient to have paid all the ex- penses of the department during that period.
During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1916, the department par- ticipated in 510 different cases throughout the State, rendered 1185 opinions and collected for the State treasury alone $441,369.35.
In addition to this, the department aided in the collection of many findings of the Bureau of Inspection and Supervision of Public Offices against local officials and others, for the benefit of local treasuries. Various investigations were made of alleged misuse of public funds, illegal awarding of contracts, etc. An examination of the records of the Attorney-General's office will disclose the fact that in every instance Mr. Turner endeavored to safeguard the public and the public treas- ury, without fear or favor and regardless of political or personal considerations.
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10
HENRY SMITH BALLARD, First Assistant Attorney General
A conspicuously active young Republican lawyer of ability and high standing in his profession served the state of Ohio faithfully and well as first assistant to Attorney General Edward C. Turner. Henry Smith Ballard was born at Coal Grove, Lawrence County, Ohio, Nov. 15th, 1880. He is the son of John Bal- lard and Jane (Sparling) Ballard, and received his education in the public schools at Coal Grove and at Ohio State University. Mr. Ballard taught school for several years in his home county, and he was ad- mitted to the Ohio bar in December, 1903, and commenced practice at Co- lumbus where he continued until IQII when he was appointed assistant county prosecutor by Edward C. Turner remaining in the position until Mr. Turner was elected Attorney General when he was again chosen by his chief as his first assistant.
On June 30th, 1909, Mr. Ballard was united in marriage with Miss Grace E. Farney, and they reside at 204 Midland Avenue, Columbus.
Mr. Ballard has been for many years an active member of the Co- lumbus Republican Glee Club and the Buckeye Republican Club.
146
COLONEL BENSON W. HOUGH, Adjutant General of Ohio, 1915-'16
A stalwart son of Delaware County and member of the Ohio Na- tional Guard who rose successively from private to Lieutenant Colonel of his regiment was on July 8th, 1916, appointed acting Adjutant General of Ohio by Governor Willis.
Colonel Hough is now serving his country with brave and gallant dis- tinction to himself and his country in command of the 166th regular Infantry on the battle front in France. His regiment is composed entirely of Ohio's gallant sons, and the prayers of all the people of Ohio are constant for their success and safety. The military record of Colonel Hough is as follows :
Enlisted in Co. K, 4th Infantry, Ohio National Guard, July 12, 1892; detailed with 4th Infantry Signal Corps, April 8, 1893; discharged from the O. N. G. by reason of Ex- piration Term of Service, July II, 1899; commissioned Ist Lieutenant of Company K, 4th Infantry, January I, 1902; commissioned Captain, Company K, 4th Infantry, June 17, 1902 ; commissioned Major, 4th In- fantry, June 30, 1905; commissioned Lieutenant Colonel 4th Infantry July 27, 1906; retired January II, 1915; appointed Adjutant General of Ohio, January II, 1915; retired as Brigadier General July 8, 1916; enlisted as a private in Company K, 4th Infantry, July 8, 1916; dis- charged to accept commission July 9, 1916; commissioned Lieutenant Colonel, 4th Infantry July 9, 1916; detailed and appointed Acting Ad- jutant General of Ohio July 8, 1916; mustered into U. S. Service, July II, 1916; retired as Acting Adjutant General of Ohio. Mustered out of U. S. Service, March 3, 1917; commissioned Colonel of 4th Infantry, April 9, 1917; mustered into U. S. Service, July 25, 1917; discharged from the Ohio National Guard, August 5, 1917, by reason of being drafted into the Armies of the U. S. per G. O. 21, A. G. D. Ohio; placed on retired list of Officers, Ohio National Guard, August 5, 1917.
147
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.
The new Constitution provides that "provision shall be made by law for the organization, administration, and control of the public school system of the state supported by public funds." In his message to the General Assembly at its first session following the adoption of the new Constitution, Governor Cox suggested that a survey precede legislative enactment on the subject. The Legislature acted promptly in pursu- ance thereof and a Commission was appointed to make the survey. The work of this Commission revealed the fact that the rural school system had declined and that social and economic changes had been made, which rendered an adjustment of the work of the rural school to the needs of the community difficult, if not impossible.
This investigation resulted in a comprehensive realization of con- ditions existent, such as enabled the Legislature in special session as- sembled n 1914 to intelligently and efficiently make laws. The result was what is commonly known as the New Rural School Code for, with the exception of a few special studies, city schools were not surveyed. The Commission, however, recommended that a survey of the village and city schools be made within the next few years.
After a trial of three years the New Code has proven its worth in meeting the needs of rural school conditions and where properly ad- ministered is a corrective agency for the re-adjustment of the affairs of rural life. There has been an awakening that has resulted in a healthy activity.
The Department of Public Instruction realizes to the fullest meas- ure what the many opportunities are that exist under the New Code for the amelioration of rural school conditions and has a complete com- prehension of the many new and good things that have been accom- plished as a result of its operation and efficient administration. It feels that the Code is a pronounced success and to prove the validity of its claim, it has determined to what extent and in what particular way it has been effective in each county.
In nearly all counties marked improvement has been noted, as fol- lows: A uniform course of study and uniform text-books have been adopted; the enrollment and average daily attendance has increased; buildings have been repaired, equipment has been added, and physical conditions in general have been improved; community interest has been
148
149
OHIO LEGISLATIVE HISTORY.
awakened and a better school sentiment has resulted; professional standards are higher and there is more efficient teaching.
The College of Education and the four state-supported Normal Schools have done very much to stimulate and develop a better profes- sional spirit and to inculcate in the teachers higher aims and nobler purposes, all of which have re-acted in a clearer conception of duty and in better service. As a result of this training the teachers are more open-minded and show a greater alertness and readiness to respond to the suggestions of the county superintendent, the district superin- tendent and principal.
The County Normal School is a potent factor in the training of teachers. A part of the regular work of these schools consists in familiarizing the students with local school organizations and com- munity needs. This specially fits them for teaching in their respective counties. There are thirty-eight of these schools in the state, and they are under the direct supervision of the Superintendent of Public In- struction. Through the Department of High School Inspection and by means of special visitation, he keeps in close touch with the purposes and progress of the work of each Normal School Director.
Much has been done to revive the old; more must be done to create the new. Many county boards of education have exercised their prerogative in transferring territory and in equalizing valuations. This has made consolidation possible in many sections and modern and com- modious buildings have been erected. A new type of school has been established and community co-operation has been secured, resulting in a penetrating improvement. It is the policy of the present adminis- tration to promote, organize, and develop real country schools in these localities, representing in the school program the industries of the com- munity. Lecture courses, debating leagues, oratorical contests, athletic meets, home projects in agriculture and home economics and other ex- tension activities are prominent features of these schools.
The Smith-Hughes Law enacted at the second session of the sixty- fourth Congress provided for the promotion of vocational education. The eighty-second General Assembly in regular session enacted legisla- tion necessary for the acceptance of the provisions of the above men- tioned law and for the appointment of a State Board of Education to administer the provisions of the State Statute, and to co-operate with the federal board for vocational education. The present State Board of Education consists of :
Alfred Vivian, Dean of College of Agriculture, O. S. U., President. F. B. Pearson, Supt. of Public Instruction, Secretary.
T. H. Winters, Dept. of Public Instruction, Clerk.
.
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OHIO LEGISLATIVE HISTORY.
W. H. Winans, Dr. J. M. Withrow, Mrs. Qent Hughes, Hon. S. J. McCune, and W. S. Edmund.
W. F. Shaw of Bowling Green, Ohio, was appointed Vocational Supervisor.
It is the purpose of the State Board of Education to establish such schools as will recognize the vocational motive to the greatest degree possible and as will reflect the social significance of Vocational Educa- tion on the farm, in the home, and in the factory.
The organization and development of the rural schools under the New Code has established an approximate parity between them and the schools of the city, resulting in a consciousness of common purpose and a realization that each is but a part of the same system of public education.
Many school plants have been constructed and equipped within the last few years. This has been necessary, especially in rural dis- tricts, that proper school opportunities might be afforded to the people. Nevertheless education and frugality are not incompatible and care should be exercised in guarding against over-bonded indebtedness in all districts.
-
HON. FRANCIS B. PEARSON
Francis B. Pearson, Superintend- ent of Public Instruction, son of Joseph and Mary Pearson, was born at Catawba, Clark County, Ohio, where he lived all the years of his earlier life, with the exception of a brief time which the family spent in Iowa.
Being orphaned of his mother at the age of ten years, he lived with a farmer in the neighborhood for three years and so had all the expe- riences incident to farm life for the orphan boy. At the age of nineteen, he began teaching school in Goshen Township, Champaign County. Later, he taught country school in Clark and Madison Counties. His first experience in graded school work was at West Jefferson, where he taught seventh and eighth grades. Later on, he was superintendent of this school for three years. After graduating from the College of Wooster, he became professor of Latin in Macalester College, St. Paul, Minn., but returned to Colum- bus, Ohio, after a few years and for eleven years was Principal of East High School. This position he resigned to become high school inspector for the State University, which position he held at the time of his appointment as Superintendent of Public Instruction.
He is the author of "The Evolution of the Teacher," "The High School Problem," "The Vitalized School" and "Reveries of A School- master" and, in connection with Mr. John D. Harlor, wrote and com- piled "Ohio History Sketches."
His wife was Miss Fanny S. Humphrey, daughter of Judge Her- man L. Humphrey of Hudson, Wisconsin. Their only child is Hum- phrey W. Pearson.
151
STATE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
Prior to the session of the eighty-first General Assembly in 1915, the road laws of Ohio were in a very muddled condition, there hav- ing been no successful systematic effort to correlate the innumerable sections of the statute relating to road matters.
The eighty-first General Assembly in endeavoring to simplify the hitherto heterogeneous mass of conflicting statutes, enacted the so- called Cass Highway Law, which act, after two years of experience and study, was amended by the eighty-second General Assembly in 1917, among the amendments made being the creation of a Board of four members, non-salaried, known as the Highway Advisory Board. The section of the Cass law, now Section 1184 of the General Code of Ohio, designating the general powers and duties of the Highway Commis- sioner is as follows:
"The state highway commissioner shall have general supervision of the con- struction, improvement, maintenance and repair of all inter-county highways and main market roads, and the bridges and culverts thereon. He shall aid the county commissioners in establishing, creating and preparing suitable systems of drainage for highways and advise with them as to the construction, improvement, maintenance and repair of highways; and he shall approve the design, construc- tion, maintenance and repair of all bridges, including superstructure and sub- structure, and culverts or other improvements on inter-county or main market roads; and in case of bridges and culverts on other roads, when the estimated cost thereof exceeds ten thousands dollars, the plans therefor shall be submitted to and approved by him, before contracts are let therefor. He shall cause plans, specifications and estimates to be prepared for the construction, maintenance or repair of bridges and culverts when so requested by the authorities having charge thereof, and he shall cause to be made surveys, plats, profiles, specifications and estimates for improvements whether upon state, county or township roads. He shall make inquiry in regard to systems of road and bridge construction and maintenance wherever he may deem it advisable and conduct investigations and experiments with reference thereto, and make all examinations, in his opinion, advisable, as to materials for road construction or improvement."
Under this act in 1915 and 1916, the following mileage of inter- county highways was placed under contract :
1915
1916
Plain Concrete
34.50 miles
23.78 miles
Reinforced Concrete
13.50
66
61.34
Waterbound Macadam
126.88 66
141.93 66.
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OHIO LEGISLATIVE HISTORY.
1915
1916
Bituminous Macadam
39.80
66
110.08
Surface Treated Macadam.
24.20
11.44
66
Brick Rolled Foundation
21.90
16.41
Brick Concrete Foundation
48.18
106.24
Constructing Roadbed and Roadway only.
1.25
66
9.90
66
310.21 miles
481.12 miles
The following mileage of inter-county highways being completed in these years :
1915
1916
Plain Concrete
66.08 miles
58.71 miles
Reinforced Concrete
1.24
13.46
Waterbound Macadam
157.14
66
116.56
Bituminous Macadam
2.53
66
46.78
Surface Treated Macadam
10.40
8.55
Brick Rolled Foundation.
39.57
43.76
Brick Concrete Foundation.
77.63
66
35.75
66
Constructing Roadbed and Roadway only.
4.44
66
6.50
359.03 miles
330.07 miles
It will be noticeable from an examination of the annual reports of the Highway Department for the years 1915, and 1916, from which reports the above figures were taken, that the counties of Ohio during these years were making much more rapid strides than previously to- ward a full co-operation with the Highway Department in the comple- tion of a system of roads.
Special attention has been given by Commissioner Cowen to the needs of roads once built for adequate maintenance; whereas the fund with which the state pays its proportion of the new construction of inter-county highways and main market roads, is derived from a levy of three-tenths of a mill upon the general tax duplicate of the state. The fund for the maintenance and repair of state roads consists of the funds derived from the registration of automobiles in Ohio, less the operating cost of the State Automobile Department.
Section 1224 G. C. states in part that "the state highway commis- sioner shall maintain and repair to the required standard all inter- county highways, main market roads and bridges and culverts con- structed by the state, by the aid of state money or taken over by the state after being constructed," it being understood that when a county constructs a road upon the inter-county highway system in accordance with the plans and specifications approved by the State Highway De- partment, application may be made to the State Highway Commissioner
66
66
66
66
66
66
66
66
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OHIO LEGISLATIVE HISTORY.
and upon the following out of certain procedure set forth in the statutes, such road is taken over for maintenance by the Highway Department.
The following statement taken from the annual reports of the Highway Department for the years 1915, 1916 and 1917, are interest- ing as showing the increasing mileage of roads on the inter-county high- way system being maintained and repaired under the supervision of Commissioner Cowen :
191 1916
2,057.88 miles
1,366.06
191
905.79
As stated above, the White-Mulcahy act, passed by the eighty-sec- ond General Assembly, provided for the appointment by the Governor within thirty days after the taking effect of the act, "Four qualified electors of the state of Ohio of recognized character and ability to act as an Advisory Board to the State Highway Commissioner."
On July 31st, 1917, the first meeting of the Highway Advisory Board was held in the office of the Highway Commissioner, Mr. A. R. McCulloch of Cambridge, Ohio, being elected president of the Board; Mr. D. S. Humphrey, Cleveland, Ohio, and Mr. D. H. Kirwan, New Hampshire, Ohio, being the other members of the Board then ap- pointed; Mr. G. R. Harris of Cincinnati, Ohio, being appointed as a member of the Board some time later.
The authority of the Highway Advisory Board is set forth in Sec- tion 1231-9 General Code as follows :
"No act of the state highway commissioner designating additional inter- county highways or main market roads or changing existing inter-county high- ways or main market roads; granting any application for aid from any appropria- tion by the state for the construction, improvement, maintenance or repair of inter-county highways or main market roads or any other fund created by the state for highway purposes; awarding or entering into a contract for the con- struction, improvement, maintenance or repair of any inter-county highway or main market road; purchasing any material, machinery, tools or equipment for road improvement; entering into an agreement with the federal government relative to the securing of federal aid for road construction; or designating an engineer other than the county surveyor to have charge of the roads and bridges within any county under the control of the state, shall be valid or have any force and effect until such act has been approved by the highway advisory board, by resolution duly passed by majority vote and entered upon its journal. In the case the contracts or agreements requiring the approval of the highway advisory board such approval shall also be endorsed in writing thereon and signed by the members of the board or a majority thereof."
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OHIO LEGISLATIVE HISTORY.
The following figures showing the mileage of inter-county high- ways placed under contract and completed in 1917, are taken from the annual report of the Highway Department :
Placed under contract.
Plain Concrete
10.05 miles
Reinforced Concrete
17.83
Waterbound Macadam
75.53
66
Bituminous Macadam
28.39 66
Bituminous Concrete
18.19
66
Brick Rolled Foundation
9.48 66
Brick Concrete Foundation.
27.67
Brick Monolithic Foundation
23.79 66
Grading
10.96
66
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