Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1852-01-12

the nation.
1t Re true the horizon is now clear. mot
cloud appears to threaiben a bloody |
strife, but Washington has snid If peacefn |
relations are to be maintained, we must he
prepared for different state of things. and
the Father Of his country never spake in
pence or war. but his words were eminent
ly worthy Of heed.
1t is recommended that provision be
made to call in all the public arms, except
those necessary for light or volunteer com.
panies, and that they be stored in a suita
BILE place, put in order, insured, and given
to the custody Of the Quarter Master Gen.
eral, who should be required 10 give secu-
rity for faithful discharge of his duty, in
their care and preservation. The storage
at one place. it is believed, would be much
less expensive 20 the State.
A thorough and complete organization of
| the militia, is, like ewise, recommended. We
| should at least know our own strength
The General Government should know it
and give US our due proportion of the pub
lie arms. Without this knowledge, and
return of the militia force 10 the War De-
partment, every year. they cannot be OBJ
tanned. Unless, however, good faith is to
be observed, and they are TO have, at least
ordinary care and diligence in their preser-
walton, it will be equally wise, and more
just to the General Government, to leave
them in the arsenals of the United States.
The Constitution provides, also, for Great
ing system of equal taxation. that all the
property of the State shall be subjected alike
to the burthen Of supporting the Govern
ment. This has been a matter of contro-
versy for many years. The Democratic
party has not stood alone on a proposition
so equitable and just This policy should
not be abandoned, while any legal means
remains to effect the object. Ali who live
under our laws and enjoy the protection
which they afford, in proportion to their
property, should be compelled by an equit-
able contribution, to assist in maintaining
this security.
On the peculiar subject Of the taxation Of
Banks, tie views of the present Executive
were fully communicated to the Genera, As
sembly on the 18th day of December. 1850,
and no reason has been since perceived, to
change the opinion there expressed.
The general system of taxation revised
at the last session, was not to take effect
until the lst of December, 1851. tits sup.
posed to be repealed by the adoption OF the
Constitution, which only continues in force
such laws as were in operation on the Isl
day Of September last
The entire subject will call for your at
tention, and l would refer you to the abe
report of the Auditor which is now before
you, as to the legislation required by the
General Assembly at the present session
and necessary for our system.
With the other duties which will de.
volse on this General Assembly, they are
to establish the salaries of the officers in
the executive department, and of the judi
clary, the most Of whom are to be paid from
the State Treasury.
The Probate Judge. alone, forms the ex
ception. If the Executive emily were con
cerned, the delicacy of the position would
restrain him from any thing beyond wha
was necessary, to bring the subject to your
notice.
Judges are excluded from ever being can.
didates for any other than judicial posi-
tions. They are separated from their fam
lilies, for more than half the year, and fre
quently at great distance. They are OF
expense, which, in the extravagancies of th,
times, is, with them unavoidably increasing
They must give up every other buisnes,
their entire attention honestly devoted te
their duties, to retain the confidence Of thu
people, and give public satisfaction. Thei
families must be supported, and their pri
vate affairs followed by neglect instead C
care. Do not these in ordinary justice re
quire an honorable and liberal support; il
other words, an adequate compensation fo
those whose time and talents must be ex
cIuslvely devoted to the State. Unde
Democratic institutions extravegant salaries
should never be paid, but an honest liberal
ity, and just compensation, would be econo
my to the State, and receive the sanction
of the people.
The same remarks may, in general, b.
applied to the other officers Of State, and t.
clerks and secretaries in the other depart
ments
The whole subject is respectfully referred
to the Justice of the General Assembly, no
believeing it will be longer supposed
that the, distinctions of positions are an ade
quate compensation for those on whom they
are conferred ,a0hsa they are left with httl.
else than old age and miserable poverty.
The 18th section of the Constitution de
clares, that no license shah, hereafter, b,
granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors
This section submitted, in a separate article
was adopted by large majority. The traf
fic can not longer be kgalized by statute
The power 10 prevent evils arising from th'
use Of ardent spirits. SO far as it can b.
done by law, is, nevertheless. conferred up
on the General Assembly. What provision
should be made, is matter for serious con
sideration. Laws hitherto have not pro
duced the desired effect. They have beer
the origin of many prosecutions, but they
have not prevented the retailing of intoxi
eating drinks, though prohibited under Sc
we're penalties. Drunkenness and immo
ralties arising from the use Of Sardent spirits
NAV be punished as crimes, but it is doubt
rl uhetbar anv leuaI enactment will Dre