Rensselaer Republican, Volume 22, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 January 1890 — OHIO'S NEW GOVERNOR. [ARTICLE]

OHIO'S NEW GOVERNOR.

A Nomb« r of Important QonHIoM Cea* dS.IWI.HiM IHP Govern oc-elect James E. Campbell, el Ohio, took tbe oath of office, Monday at noon. His message to the General As ssmbly is comparatively brief and touches upon a number of subjects of {Mate and local, interest. He recommends that home rule be restored to all tbe cities as speedily es possible and enters into detail as to the needs at Cincinnati. He strongly com mends tbe system of ballot reform com monly called the Australian system, and sketches briefly the success which it has met in other countries and States. The argument that it would be a hardship to illiterate voters is substantially answered, and the conclusion reached that public sentiment is not educated to the point and any attempt to enact such a law now would probably prove futile. I On the question of cheaper school books the Governorsays: "Popular education is the foundation of freedom and prosperity. Knowledge should be furnished at the lowest possible cost. The State builds school houses, provides teachers and controls every detail of education save the furnishing of books. Is there any sound reason why it should not assume this funo--1 tion also? Recent experience in the State of Indiana shows ostensibly that school books equal to those in use here are delivered- ta the children of that State at 35 to 60 per cent, of their former cost. Other States have tried the experiment with apparent success. It seems to be an assured fact that school books can be furnished either by direct publication of the State or by contract on behalf of the State at less than present prices. | “It is not necessary to inveigh against capital for monopolizing this form of publication. It is sufficient to ascertain whether books can be furnished more cheaply by the State without involving it in material expenses or liability. If this can be proven, then it becomes your duty to cheapen school books.” On another subject he says: “Tbe office of Commissioner of Railroads and Telegraphs seems to be more ornamental than useful apd it is difficult to say wherein it has benefited the community. Unless tbe placo be made one of more efficiency and power itmight well -be abolished. If it were intended to exercise control over the railroads of the state to hold in check their encroachments upon the public; to investigate and report the causes of every accident, and in otber ways to regulate them in the interests of tbe people, such results could have been much more effectively attained by a railroad commission some what similar to that long sinoe adopted in the State of Illinois. A commission composed of three persons ought, if judiciously j selected, to constitute a body of sufficient importance to successfully investigate i every question of railroad management affecting life and traffic. Such a plan is jiu tbe line of approved administrative ; methods, provided there be any necessity for the State supervision of railroads.” The Governor recommends that the State Library and Ohio Archiological and Historical Society be consolidated, as the | library would be much more valuable with 1 ’ the acquisition of the collection of the His- 1 j torical Society. The message treats of ' tbe military as follows: “The General Assembly might advantageously provide forbuying or leasing grounds at an accessible point near the center of the State, erecting thereon a permanent encampment, with all suitable conveniences for a post of instruction. The National Guard could here-' quired to camp there, either by regiments or brigades, or as an entire body. The saving of expense would iu a few years pay tor the land and buildings. It is likely that if the permanent camp were located near Colum bus, or any other city, the whole cost would be raised by private subscriptions.”