The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-12-20

/
property, and enabled the few to live in idleness.
luxury and affiuence. and to keep the mass Of the
people 10 poverty ignorance and serviity. Since
the chains Of feudal bondage have worn of, the
ingenuity Of man has devised the more refined and
insidious machinery Of government stocks. paper
money and special privileges, by which few are
enabled to live on the profits of the labor of the
people.
The fatal consequences of such system of pol.
icy to the liberties and financial interests of the
country, teach us the necessity of taking meas
ures, in due time, to arrest its progress in this
State. II yet within the power of the people Of
Ohio to pay off their public debt. The present
time is peculiarly propitious for adopting course
Of measures tending to the accomplishment Of
this desirable object. recommend, therefore TO
your special attention, the paramount Importance
OF devising vigorous, decisive and efficient means
for the ultimate and entire extinguishment Of the
debt of the State.
Civil government has no higher or more sacred
function to perform than to protect every person
in the full enjoyment Of his own property, and the
just reward of his own labor. The bill Of rights
in the fundamental law of this State declares, that
''private property ought and shall ever be- held
inviolate; and that the right of "acquiring, pos
sessins and protecting property" is a ssnatural.
inherent, and unalienable right" An artful sys-
tenn ofpolcy which by its subtle and imperceptible
operations, creates inequalities in the means for the
acquisition Of property, takes from labor portion
OF its rewards, and usurps its legitimate rights in
the distribution Of wealth by the machinery of
government stocks, and paper money, the latter Of
which has been truly said to be "the most eectual
means of fertilizing the rich mans field with the
sweat Of the poor mans brow" is fragrant vio-
lation of the spirit of the constitution, and pros
trates in the dust that sacred right of property
which lies at the very foundation OF all civil gov.
ernment.
The affairs of the Ohio Penitentiary have been
conducted with usual economy, fidelity and suc-
cess. The number Of convcts is 463, being one
more than the number year ago. The products
OF convict labor for the year past amount to 4I,-
l9l 30, and the expenses amount to $23, ,O9I 10:
leaving the clear profits OF the institution at $ls
10l IL.
The Ohio Lunatic Asylum, the Deaf and Dumb
Asylum, and the Institution for the education of
the Blind are each in a 1ourishing condition, and
during the year past have been managed with con-
skill and ability. These institutions are
highly creditable to the people of Ohio, and are
of that enlightened spirit of philan
hropy which is distinguishing characteristic of
The present age The number of patients who
have been inmates of the Lunati Asylum, during
The last year is PIG, viz ll6 males ard 100 females.
md the whole number discharged is 70. ofthese,
III were recovered, 5 improved, lS remained in
'ationary condition, and died. The disbur.e-
nents of the State during the last year, in the sup
port OF the Lunatic Asylum, amount to $lS, ,463 90.
Ind the expenditure on the new addition 10 the
buildings 10 Sll 100 H. The receipts of the in
titution during the year amount to SO, ,5sl 9l.-
There are So pupils in the institution for the edu-
;aton Of the blind, The disbursements of the
State in behalf of this institution, amount to &c.
vi Sc. Mechanical pursuits have been success
ully introduced among the pupils of the two last
mentioned institutions
The public buildings for the accommodation of
he Legislature and the several public officers of the
State, are in a dilapidated condition; in some re-
'pects inconvenient and uncomfortable, and fur
lish unsuitable and very insecure departments for
he archieves of the State. For several years the
State has been paying rent for rooms, in different
parts of the city of Columbus, for the safekeeping
If part of the public documents and records, and
he transaction ola part Of the public business
And an investment of some sixty or seventy thou
and dollars in the foundation and materials for the
contemplated new State House is lying wholly use.
ess and unproductive 1t is evident that the build
ngs now in use cannot answer the purpose requi-
ed by the State many years longer. l therefore
to your favorable consideration the pro-
riey of taking measures, in due time, for the erec-
ion of suitable ediice for the transaction of the
usiness of the government and the safe-keeping OF
be important public records and papers Of the
'tate.
The Constitution Of Ohio, for wise purposes, has
eposed the chief and most important functions of
he civil power Of the State in the legislative branch
fthe government The high and solemn respon-
Utilities which devoive upon you in the exercise
f these powers, in legislating for the whole peo-
lie, and the great interests of the State will doubt
'ss be fully appreciated. In conclusion, however,
may not be inappropriate for me to remark, that
he benefits Of legislation are not to be measured by
lie great number Of acts passed at a session, and
,a it is more difficult to restrain the propensity to
0 too much, than too little. Inconsiderate and
asty Legislation has sometimes given rise to well
rounded apprehensions that the grand results of
lie acts of an entire session Of the Legislature
ould prove more detrimental than beni6cial to the
terests of the people. Frequent departure in
gislation from the true end and great purposes Of
vii government has given rise to the maxim, that
he world is governed too much.' Deeply impress
d with the importance OF conining the functions
government to their only true and legitimate
here ofaction. the trainers of our Constitution,
bill of rights, enjoined upon the people of this