The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-01-21

ciai hSScihUiy oh tiC i]tu uoy VI DCoeuI'
ber, 1850, and no reason has been since
perceived, to change the opinion there ex
pressed.
Tho general system of taxation, revised
at the last session. was not TO take effecl
until the lst of December, 1851. Itis sup
posed to be repealed by the adoption o.
the Constitution, which only continues in
force, such laws as were in operation on
the LIST day Of September last.
The entire subject will call for your at
tention; and would refer you to the able
report Of the Auditor which is now before
you. as to the leglation required by the
General Assembly at the present session
and necessary Tor our revenue system.
With the other duties which will devolve
on this General Assembly, they are to es.
tablish the salaries of tho officers in the OK.
scutive department, and OF the judiciary
the most Of whom are to be paid from the
State Treasury.
The Probate Judge. alone, forms the ex.
ception. IF tho Executive only were con.
cerned, the delcacy OF the position would
restrain him from anything beyond wha,
was necessary, TO bring the subject to your
notice.
Judges are excluded from ever being
candidates for any other than judicial po.
sitions. They are separated from their
families. for more than half the year, and
frequently. at a great distance. They are
on expense, which, in the extravagance'
Of the times, is, with them, unavoidably
increasing. They must give up every
other business occupations; books must be
purchased and read, and their entire atten.
ton, honestly devoted to their duties, to re-
tain the confidence Of the people. and give
public satisfaction. Their families must
be supported, and their private affairs fol.
lowed by neglect, instead Of care. Does
not ordinary justice require an honorable
and liberal support; in other words, an
adequate compensation for those whose
time and talents must be exclusively devo.
ted to the State. Under Democratic in sti-
tuluns exiravagant salaries should never
be paid, but al honest liberality. and just
compensation. would be economy to thu
State, and receive the sanction Of the peo-
pie
The same remarks NAV, in general. be
applied 10 the other officers Of State, and
to clerks and secretaries in the other de.
parlment.
The whole sutlec, is respectfully refer
red TO the justice OF tbs General Assembly
not believing it will be longer supposed,
that the distinctions OF position arc an ad-
equate compensation for those on whom
they are conferred. wten they are left with
iigle else than old age and miserable pOr-
criy! . ..
The 18th sec,ion OF the Constitution do
c'ares that no license shall, hereafter. be
granted for the sale OF Intoxicating liquors.
This section submitted. in II separate ar,i.
Gle. was adopted by large majority
The traffic can no longer be legalized by
statute, The powerto prevent evils arising
from the use Of ardent spirits. so lar as it
can be done by law, is. nevertheless. con-
ferred upon the General Assembly. What
provision should be made. is matter for
serious consideration. Laws hitherto have
not produced the desired effect They
have been the origin OF many prosecutions,
but they have not prevented the retailing
of intoxicating drinks, though prohibited
under severe penalties Drunkenness and
immoraliies arising from the use Of ardent
spirits may be punished as crimes. but il,
is doubtful, whether any legal enactment,
will prevent their being sold. By retail,
while their importation ispermitted by the
laws of the United States, and their manu-
iacture by our own.
Societies and individual phianthro pists
have spared no creditabls action, to stay
the evils Of intemperance for many years.
Their exertons have done more good,
by moral force which they have given to
public opinion. in social intercourse. than
all the laws that have, as yet, been enact.
ed. The subject is submitted to your
care. e
Our Penitentary system is one of great
intsrss, to tho people OF this State. Ger
tainty. rather than severity Of punishment,
is believed to afford the best security 10 the
virtuous against the lawless aggressions Of
the vicious and licentious. The admistra-
ton Of tho internal concerns Of this insti-
tuition has been judicious and salutary.-
The several Wardens who have had it in
charge, have endesvored to carry into ex-
ecu,on the great objects of the law, by
moral suasion, rather than by over severe
and unnecessary discipline. Many have
loft the institution, it is believed, with the
most determined resolution to forsake the
paths of vice, and become honest and use
ful members Of society. The report of the
Warden will exhibit the number confined
in the Penitentiary, the last current year,
ending on the thirtieth day of November
last those who have been discharged by
the expiration Of their sentence, by pardon,
or writs Of error. have not hesitated,
when believed the objects Of the law to
have been accomplished, to interfere. No
one thus discharged has yet returned,
and great majority, and may say al.
Al