out and complete aspect that is lacking in the earlier. The
nature of Cox himself is for "action," even when it seems to
take the form of experiment. In simple justice it must be said
that he has never been an adventurer, but he is willing to
tackle problems before other would seize hold of them. His first
administration, he thinks, was his best, for much more was done,
but his last is his best, Ohio judgment has decided, because it
repressed tendencies to go the wrong way, taking perhaps the
Gladstone view that a statesman deserves more credit for
defeating unwise legislation than for securing the enactment of
good. As Governor, Cox has been willing to risk defeat for
principle.

A trait of character is told in the story of school and taxation
legislation. He was warned that progressive steps would
encompass his defeat. If a composite answer could be formed to
all the suggestions of this sort, it would be something like
this: "There is need for improving our schools. Time will
vindicate it."

Something else of character may be learned from the manner in
which Governor Cox redeems pledges. When he was sorely beset by
his political foes in 1914, it was represented to him that the
liquor interests might be made to do service if licenses were
withheld until after the election. And the answer given was
something like this: "The pledge was given that the license
system shall not be prostituted to partisanship. That pledge
will be redeemed."

The forebodings of the worldly wise were not disappointed. The