USA > Ohio > Ohio legislative history, 1913-1917 > Part 53
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In the year 1887, Mr. Wise was joined in marriage with Miss Velma G. Ingold, of the same township, and they have a son, Harry B. Wise. The grandparents of Mr. Wise came to Ohio from Pennsylvania.
Mr. Wise served for three terms as Township Treasurer, and he was four years a member of New Berlin School Board. In the year IgII, he was chosen as the member for Stark County, of the Fourth Ohio Constitutional Convention, which met in Columbus, in 1912.
In the year 1916, Mr. Wise was nominated and elected, as a Repub- lican, to a seat in the Ohio House of Representatives, Eighty-second General Assembly, and at the regular session of that body in 1917, he was most interested in legislation for good schools and good roads.
Representative Wise served as a member of the committees: Ap- propriations and Finance, Fish Culture and Game, and Military Affairs.
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HON. BYRON SYLVESTER WYDMAN.
(Hamilton County)
In point of service in the Ohio Legislature, the subject of this sketch is not only "Dean" of the Hamilton County delegation in the Eighty- second General Assembly, but if his service had been continuous, he would be Dean of the Eighty-second General Assembly.
Mr. Wydman was a member from Hamil- ton County in the 67th General Assembly, again in the 68th General Assembly; he was nominated to the 69th General Assembly, and defeated with the balance of the Republican ticket in Hamilton County and the State, was elected to the 70th General Assembly, and in the year 1914, he was again nominated and elected to the 8Ist General Assembly, and re-elected in 1916, to the 82nd General Assembly. Mr. Wydman has always been a Republican.
Hon. Byron Sylvester Wydman was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, early in the fifties. His father, Samuel Wydman, was born at Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The son, Byron, received his education in the common schools of "GOOD OLD Cincinnati", which town holds no more loyal citizen than he. Young Wydman served an apprenticeship as a stove molder, but did not remain long at his trade. He held the position of "Com- plaint Clerk" in the Cincinnati Water Works, for several years, after- ward accepting a position as salesman with The Webb Stationery Com- pany, and has remained with that firm about 27 years.
In the year 1873, Mr. Wydman was united in marriage with Miss Dana S. Hunt, of Urbana, Champaign County, Ohio, and three children are the result of the union, namely: Dorothea Garrard, Byron H., and Robert S. The mother and grandmother of Mr. Wydman were born in Philadelphia, Pa.
A remarkable incident in the life of Hon. Byron S. Wydman was when he was a young lad, during the Civil War, and his father was serving as Captain in the 4th Ohio Independent Cavalry. Young Wyd- man was ambitious to join the army, and not being old enough to enlist, he ran away from home and joined a wagon train in Kentucky with the result that, after a few months' service, his mother received the fol-
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lowing letter, "Camp Nelson, Kentucky, March 7th, 1864. Mrs. Wyd- man. Madame: Your son, Byron, has been in my train as teamster, for four months. I promised your husband I would send you a part of his money as he drew it. Enclosed please find $25.00 out of the $30.00 he drew two days since. He has $60.00 yet due him, which he will get in a few days, and I will then allow him to come home, a little while, at any rate. I am, Respectfully, H. H. Johnson, W. M." (Wagon Master).
Since arriving at man's estate, Mr. Wydman has always been re- garded as an honest and useful citizen of Cincinnati, and throughout his service in the Ohio Legislature, he has ever been conscientious and fair in the discharge of his duties.
At the regular session of the Eighty-second General Assembly in 1917, Representative Wydman served as a member of the committees : Appropriations and Finance, and Common Schools.
HON. HENRY ZIEGLER.
(Seneca County)
On January 22nd, 1824, the Legislature enacted a law providing for the organization of Seneca County. The act took effect on April Ist, 1824, and called for the election of officers to be held on the first of Monday of that month. Tiffin, the county seat, was laid out in 1821, by Josiah Hedges, and named for Edward Tiffin, the first Governor of Ohio.
Hon. Henry Ziegler, who has represented Seneca County in both the 8Ist and 82nd General Assemblies of Ohio, was born in Venice Township, Seneca County, Ohio, March 23rd, 1860. His father, Henry Ziegler, was born at Epingen, Baden, Germany. The son, Henry, re- ceived his education in the common schools of Seneca County, and he has always followed the occupation of farming, and has served sev- eral terms as Road Supervisor, and Township Trustee.
In the year 1887, Mr. Ziegler was joined in marriage with Miss Clarissa S. Klaiss, of Bloom Township, Seneca County, Ohio. Seven
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children have been born of this union, namely: Frank L., Fannie M., Raymond E., Eliza E., Cora A., Howard J., and Blanche M. (deceased). The ancestry of Mr. Ziegler were Germans of the thrifty type, all of them being sturdy and industrious.
In the year 1914, Mr. Ziegler was nominated and elected, as a Democrat, to the 8Ist General Assembly of Ohio, and he was re-elected in the year 1916 to serve in the 82nd General Assembly. In the 8Ist General Assembly, Mr. Ziegler was greatly interested in securing aid for "Independent Agriculture Fairs", and at the regular session of the 82nd General Assembly, he introduced H. B. No. 140- relating to the apportionment of costs in the location and construction of county ditches; and H. B. No. 585-to prohibit the importation of diseased cattle into the State. Both bills became Laws.
Representative Ziegler served as Chairman of the committee on State and Economic Betterment, and as a member of the committees: Agriculture, County Affairs, Library, Manufactures and Commerce, and Public Waterways.
HOUSE OFFICERS AND CLERKS 82d GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
Top Row (left to right): Atlee D. Reed, Journal Clerk; J. P. Hershberger, Assistant Clerk; Louis Gideon, Message Clerk. Second Row: W. D. Johnston, Engrossing Clerk; John R. Cassidy, Clerk; E. O. Lease, Enrolling Clerk.
Third Row: Clara F. Crawford, Recording Clerk; Mose Kahn, 2nd Asst. Sergeant-at-Arms. Fourth Row: M. Kane, 1st Asst. Sergeant-at-Arms; Wm. C. Ries, Sergeant-at-Arms; W. J. Abernathy, 3rd Asst. Sergeant-at-Arms.
WILLIAM JOHN ABERNATHY
The Third Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms of the Ohio House of Rep- resentatives for the years 1917-1918, is William J. Abernathy who was born on a farm in Monroe Township, Pickaway County, Ohio, July 19th, 1867. He is a "Twin" and the brother Edward Robert besides two others Thomas J. and James M. are living.
William J. Abernathy received his education in the country schools of Monroe Township and at Lebanon University, graduating from the latter institution in 1898. He taught school in Pickaway County for IO years, was superintendent of the township schools and a teacher in High School. He came to Columbus and engaged in the grocery business with his brother James and became actively interested in local politics. Mr. Abernathy has been for four years a member of the Democratic County Central Committee, and he was chosen Third Assistant Sergeant- at-Arms of the House of Representatives by the Democratic majority in January, 1917.
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FREDERICK BLANKNER
It is an honor seldom given to any man to serve the state in a salaried position for more than half a century, but that is what has been accom- plished by Mr. Blankner. "Fred" Blankner was born in Germany July 28th, 1836, and when but one year old was brought by his parents to America and they located at Colum- bus, Ohio.
Fred became identified with the Ohio Legislature in the capacity of Third Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms be- fore the beginning of the American Civil War but he left the place tem- porarily to enlist in the army joining Company A, Fifth Battalion Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
After ending his service in the army Mr. Blankner returned to his position in the Ohio House of Rep- resentatives and he held the place continuously, with but one intermis- sion of two years until in January, 1917, his health not permitting fur- ther active service he was unanimously elected "honorary" Third Assist- ant Sergeant-at-Arms for life, the House eulogizing his long service by complimentary resolutions .. Mr. Blankner served as a Sergeant-at- Arms in the Ohio Constitutional Convention of 1873 and again in the Convention of 1912.
At the age of Eighty-two he is confined to his home with feeble health but he will always rest in the minds of those who knew him as a faithful public servant covering the longest period of time ever ac- complished by anyone in the history of the Ohio State government.
When he had served fifty years in the Ohio House of Represen- tatives that body ordered a fine portrait of Mr. Blankner and by resolu- tion placed it in a niche in the west wall of the House where it is to remain "for all time."
JOINT NON-PARTISAN TAXATION COMMITTEE 82d GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF OHIO 1917.
BAKER ART GALLERY
Left to Right: Hon. Culbertson J. Smith, H. of R. Butler Co. Hon. Wm. Agnew, Senator 25th District. Hon. T. M. Berry, Senator 32nd District. Hon. Fred Greene (Counsel), Cleveland, O. Hon. Chas. H. Reid (Counsel), Washington C. H., O. Hon. Chas. F. Harding, Senator 1st District. Hon. I. S. Guthery, Chairman, H. of R. Marion Co, Hon, Adam W. Oberlin, Senator 21st District, Hon. Milton Clark, H. of R, Warren Co, Hon, Frank C, Parrett, H. of R. Fayette Co,
EIGHTY-SECOND SECOND SESSION OHIO GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1917.
HOUSE BILLS ENACTED INTO LAWS.
House Bill No. I - Proposed by initiative petition which was filed by the State Federation of Labor. This act bars private liability in- surance companies from any part in the workmen's compensation law, or from protecting employes by contract of indemnity against loss by reason of injury or death to employes. The act is subject to a refer- endum vote.
House Bill No. 4- Mr. Platt (Ashtabula). This act provides for the registration of dogs, with the requirement that they wear tags; untagged dogs are "outlaws," and are to be destroyed if they are un- claimed after being impounded. Effective June 27.
House Bill No. 8- Mr. Billingslea (Butler). This act separates state and national tickets on election ballots. They were combined under the Willis administration. Effective May 24.
House Bill No. 9-Mr. Smith (Butler). The act permits cases to be appealed from the Municipal Court of Hamilton. Effective June 17.
House Bill No. 16-Mr. Reynolds, James A. (Cuyahoga). An act giving women the right to vote for presidential electors and boards of education. It was subject to a referendum vote at the November, 1917, election. Senator Charles F. Harding, Cincinnati, directed the obtaining of signatures to a referendum petition. He represented the Ohio League Opposed to Women Voting and managed his petition campaign from Columbus headquarters.
House Bill No. 18-Mr. Lustig (Cuyahoga). An act providing jail and penitentiary sentences for persons convicted of carrying con- cealed weapons. The jail sentence runs from 30 days to six months, while imprisonment in the penitentiary may be from one to three years. The rights of officers to carry weapons is not affected. Offenders may also be fined from $50 to $500. Effective June 17.
House Bill No. 19- Mr. Lustig (Cuyahoga), amends the General Code relative to the appointment of probation officers; the judge des- ignated to exercise jurisdiction may appoint. One such appointee shall
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be a woman. One of the officers is to be chief who shall receive not over $3,000 a year, while assistants shall be paid not over $1,500; non- paid officers may be appointed, but the salary of paid offices shall not exceed $40 for each full 1,000 inhabitants of a county. Effective June II.
House Bill No. 23- Mr. Bragg (Erie), makes nets of 27/8 inch factory measure lawful for fishing in Lake Erie. Effective June 5.
House Bill No 25 - Mr. Blauser (Fairfield). This act puts quail in the "song bird" class along with the Carolina dove. It is intended to protect "Bob White" from the hunter. Effective June 10.
House Bill No. 29-Mr. Federman (Hamilton), provides for a system of school savings banks. Permits principals or superintendents or other persons designated by educational boards to collect savings of pupils. Bond is required of such collectors, and depositories of such funds shall give bond. Effective June 29.
House Bill No. 32 - Mr. Kraft (Hardin), creates a "Sundry Claims Board" which shall be presided over by the Budget Commissioner of the state; the State Auditor is secretary; other members are the At- torney General; chairman of the Senate finance committee and chair- man of the finance committee of the House. The board is authorized to receive claims against the state. Claim papers ultimately go to the House finance committee chairman for legislative recommendation and action. Effective March 28.
House Bill No. 33- Mr. Mulcahy (Henry), provides for rotation of names of candidates on primary election ballots. Effective June 17.
House Bill No. 34- Mr. Archer (Hocking), relates to the custody of insane persons. Stipulates receipts for such persons given by asylum heads shall be returned to probate judges; relatives who are found re- sponsible, with the approval of probate judges, may keep such insane persons, if these relatives are so disposed. Effective June 28.
House Bill No. 36- Mr. Garver (Holmes), relates to complaints to keep the peace. Permits magistrates to hold accused under bond for from $50 to $500, with security ; in default of appearance under bond to appear accused shall be committed to jail until the magistrate's order is complied with. Appeal may be taken to Common Pleas courts, but accused shall remain under peace bond; failure of complainant to prosecute will result in accused being discharged. An accused ordered into security and failing to provide the same shall be sent to jail until the magistrate's order is complied with, but such commitment shall not exceed one year. Effective June 28.
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House Bill No. 54- Mr. Evans (Lucas), authorizes councils and county commissioners to contract for the construction of joint use of sewers and sewage treatment or disposal works. Effective June 17.
House Bill No. 55- Mr. Evans (Lucas), authorizes Spanish War veterans or their widows to be members of county relief commissions and to extend to Spanish War veterans relief. Such commissions shall be called "The Soldiers' Relief Commission"; if possible the widow of a sailor or marine of the Spanish War shall be one member, the other two to be honorably discharged soldiers or marines; commission mem- bers are appointed by Common Pleas Court judges. Effective June 17.
House Bill No. 64- Mr. Cowan (Putnam), appropriation measure to pay salaries of General Assembly members, employes and general expenses ; money appropriated shall not be expended to pay liabilities beyond June 30, 1917. Senate members received $36,000; House mem- bers, $128,000. Effective at once.
House Bill No. 66- Mr. Sprague (Scioto), amends General Code relative to institutions for deformed and crippled children. Provides a commission of the Governor, State Auditor and three other residents of the state to select site and grounds for the "Ohio Institution for the Treatment and Education of Deformed and Crippled Children". Chil- dren under 18 are to be admitted. Appropriation for same is $100,000. Effective June 26.
House Bill No. 167- Mr. Wildermuth (Shelby), amends the Gen- eral Code relative to state reservoirs dedicated to the use of the public for parks and pleasure resorts. The bodies of water shall be known as "Buckeye Lake", "Indian Lake", "Grand Lake", "The Portage Lakes", and "Lake Loramie". They are dedicated forever to the public. Effective June 28.
House Bill No. 68- Mr. Miller (Stark), creates "The Municipal Court of Alliance." The Judge shall hold office four years. He shall have jurisdiction similar to that of mayors of cities and justices of the peace in criminal cases. Effective July 2.
House Bill No. 72 - Mr. Clark (Warren), creates a "Bureau of Markets" in the department of the State Board of Agriculture. The Secretary of the board shall organize the bureau, which shall investigate the cost of production and marketing, disseminate information on prices. the demand and supply, quantities of "cold storage" food, and to pro- mote the organization of co-operative associations, as well as power to make and regulate grading rules, to act as mediator or arbitrator, when invited, in controversies, and to act in behalf of consumers, and other-
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wise improve market conditions. The bureau may also act relative to shipments of foods out of the state when such action would create a scarcity within the state. Effective June 28.
House Bill No. 85- Mr. Smith (Cuyahoga). This bill provides for the inspection of "cold storage" goods and the regulation and super- vision of cold storage warehouses. The act limits the period during which foods may be stored and stipulates that articles have been with- drawn from a warehouse for market purposes they can not be trans- ferred to another warehouse. The Secretary of Agriculture is em- powered to enforce the act. Violations subjects violators to a fine not to exceed $500 for the first and not over $1,000 for the second and third offenses, and also include a jail sentence of not less than 30 nor more than 90 days. Effective June 29.
House Bill No. 88- Mr. Baker (Ashland), prohibits the killing of rabbits between sunset and sunrise. Effective June 26.
House Bill No. 89- Mr. Billingslea (Butler), prohibits the use of street or interurban cars without they have center aisles ; designated to eliminate summer open cars, and becomes finally effective in 1920. Violations of the law subject violators to a $50 fine, with imprisonment for not less than 10 or more than 30 days, each day's violation con- stituting a separate offense. Ninety days after April 1, 1917, no new cars without the center ailses shall be put into use.
House Bill No. 98- Mr. Garver (Holmes), gives justices of the peace power to summon persons in another county when two or more are joint defendants. Effective June 10.
House Bill No. 107 - Mr. Shinn (Williams), prohibits steam rail- road managers from employing "spotters" in obtaining evidence upon which to discipline or discharge employes, without giving the latter an op- portunity for a hearing. A fine of not less than $50 nor more than $300, or imprisonment in jail for not more than a year, or both may be im- posed and the penalties affect officers and agents of offending companies. Effective June 29.
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House Bill No. 109-Mr. Baker (Ashland), provides that the skunk and raccoon season shall begin November 15 and run to February I. Muskrats, minks and opossums are also included. Effective June 28.
House Bill No. 115 - Mr. Bragg (Erie). This is an act reorganiz- ing the Agricultural department of the state, intended to co-ordinate all departments interested, provides for an "advisory board", delegates to the Secretary of the new body practically all authority, and is com-
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prehensive in its scope pertaining to the protection, advancement and conservation of rural resources. Provision is made for an "Agricultural Advisory Board", composed of the Secretary, Dean of the college of agriculture of the Ohio State University, and the Director of the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station, who shall hold office in the agricultural board, and the Governor. He will meet in consultation with said board when he can do so. The "advisory board" shall select a chairman and secretary from its members, to serve for one year, or until their suc- cessors qualify. The board shall meet monthly in Columbus or other places; no compensation other than their actual expenses shall be al- lowed; the board shall co-ordinate the work of the department of agri- culture, the college of agriculture and the experiment station in order to prevent duplications ; the board may also meet with officers of the U. S. Department of Agriculture for conference.
All laws for the protection of fish in inland streams, birds and game shall be enforced by the board, whose members shall serve without com- pensation other than actual expenses while on duty.
The board shall elect a secretary, approved by the Governor, to hold office for two years, but he may be removed by the board anytime; he shall be chief executive officer, receiving $4,000 salary yearly and his necessary expenses. He shall appoint all heads of bureaus, experts, inspectors, wardens, clerks, and such other employes as may be required. The secretary shall perform all duties formerly imposed upon the "Agri- cultural Commissoin", and the words "Secretary of Agriculture" shall mean the "Agricultural Commission", wherever the latter words are found in state laws. Civil service regulations shall protect employes, all appointments must be approved by the board, and no discrimination shall be made, except in accordance with the civil service regulations.
The Secretary shall have power to establish bureaus for fair ad- ministration, live stock diseases, markets, nursery, orchard and bee in- spection, and other bureaus intended to regulate food inspection, the protection of game, fish, birds, and prepare such statistical information as may be necessary. Annually the board, and presidents of other au- thorized delegates of agricultural societies holding fairs shall meet in Columbus for consultation; uniform rules for the election of officers of such societies and the conduct of their affairs shall be adopted. A county having no such society, may send a delegate chosen by the Farmers' In- stitute of such a county, and receive full recognition. With the consent of the board, approval of the Attorney General, State Auditor, and Governor, the Secretary may purchase real estate needed to increase the facilities of the state fair.
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The Secretary may require assessors to furnish him with data relative to agriculture in counties, such duty being obligatory ; the board, Secretary and appointees designated to make inquiries or hearings have power to administer oaths, certify to official acts, and take depositions and compel the attendance of witnesses. The right to inspect records is also given. Wide latitude is given to the board and its Secretary to require persons or corporations to produce facts wanted, and failure to obey a summons subjects the offenders to a forfeit of not less than $50 nor more than $500 for each delinquent day. The Secretary is em- powered to appoint an "Inquisitorial Agent", but facts ascertained by him must not be divulged other than to the board, except under oath in court as a witness. Failure to obey this phase of the law subjects such an agent to not to exceed $100 fine and disqualification for a place under the board.
The Attorney General is the board's legal adviser and shall, when requested, aid the board in making investigations, or direct a county prosecutor to do so; this applies to prosecutions for law viola- tions also.
At the close of each state fair the Secretary shall certify to the Auditor of State financial and other data regarding the fair. The Aud- itor and State Treasurer may make such arrangements regarding re- ceipts and expenditures of money during the fair as are deemed necessary.
The Secretary shall promote live stock interests, seek to prevent animal diseases, and use all proper means to exterminate them. He shall appoint a competent veterinarian to represent the state; sheriffs and constables shall execute lawful orders of the board or its secretary ; sanitary regulations regarding live stock shipments and stock yards - these and other duties fall to the board and its secretary. The state shall pay all expenses incurred in enforcing quarantine regulations ; the Secretary may destroy diseased animals when he deems such action necessary, appraisement for the same being made by three disinterested citizens, but no animal shall be killed until an examination has been made by a competent veterinarian; owners shall be compensated for animals killed; but no compensation shall be given owners of diseased animals brought into the state against its laws, or in cases where efforts have been made to conceal infectious diseases, such action thereby con- tributing to the spread of diseases. Claims allowed shall be paid at once. The Governor may prohibit by proclamation the importation of live stock of the kind diseased into the state, except under conditions the Secretary approves.
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Any person, firm or corporation failing to comply with the reg- ulations of the Secretary may be fined not less than $50 nor more than $500. Whoever has in his possession or his control diseased animals and conceals the fact, moves an animal from quarantine or otherwise violates the Secretary's orders with respect to diseased animals or im- ports them from other states, may be fined not more than $500; selling horses or asses known to be afflicted with glanders or farcy, secrets such animal or fails to keep it isolated, is liable to a similar fine and liable to any person injured for damages sustained by such action.
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