The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-01-11
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
Gentlemen of the Senate
and House of Representatives.:

UCnCGc"tCb " tfso OoHu1o
and House of Representatives:
On the thirteenth of July last, REUBEN
WooD, having accepted an appointment
in the service Of the United States, resign
ed the office OF Governor Of Ohio. which,
devolved on me as Lieutenant
Governor OF the State.
Having thus assumed the powers con-
ferred by the Constitution on the Chief
Magistrate of the State, it is made my du-
ty, upon your assembling at the Capital as
the Representatives of the people, 10 CON-
municate TO you the condition Of the sew
eral departments Of the State Government,
so far as the same has come to my knowl.
edge, and to recommend to your consid-
Grafton such measures, as in my judg-
ment, should claim the attention of the
law making power of the State.
Before proceeding to the discharge Of
this duty, permit me TO congratulate you
on the auspicious circumstances under
which you are convened. The year that
has Just been numbered with the past, has
been one of unusual prosperity earth
has given forth its fruits in great abun-
dance; industry and enterprise have been
appropriately rewarded; and the comforts
and enjoyments Of lie have been more
generally and equally difflsed among the
great body of the people, than at any
former period of our history.
These evidences of the goodness and
continued favor of that Supreme and All
wise Being, who watches over and con-
trolls the destiny Of all human institutions,
should have their due and proper influence
on our minds, and command the homage
OF our grateful acknowledgements.
The present is an interesting and pro-
gressive age. The discoveries and inven.
lions Of the few last years, have stimula.
ted a bolder inquiry into the science OF
human Government, and awakened zeal
for improvement in almost every depart
ment Of life.
Under these influences. the organic laws
under which the State Government was
first established. have been superseded by
a new Constitution, in which private and
individual rights are believed to be better
defined and more securely guarded.
| The people have retained in their own
hands, the selection of their officers, as
well in the Judicial as in the Executive
departments of tho Government; private
property has been rendered truly inviolate
and all increase in the public liabilities,
except to very limited extent, and for
extraordinary purposes, has been etfectu-
ally prohibited.
The General Assembly has been re-
strained from passing any law. either OF q
general or private nature. except by the
recorded votes Of majority Of the men,
bers elected to each House, and from
granting any privileges or immuniiies that
may not be revoked. amended or repealed
by any subsequent Legislature.
Corporate powers can only be conferred
under general laws; and no bill can be
introduced or considered, for any purpose
which shall contain more than one sub
ject, to be clearly expressed in its title.
/ Nomoney can be drawn from the Treas
ury. except in pursuance of specific ap'
preparations, made by law; and all prop
erty not used for public, charitable or re.
Iligious purposes, is required to bear ar
/ equal proportion Of the burdens Of the
/ State.
The duty Of preparing laws, in accord
ancc with these changes, and Of carrying
into effect the various provisions Of the
New Constitution, devolved on your i'm
mediate predecessors, who, during long
and laborious session. passed many salu
tary and important statutes. TO rende
these more perfect, and to mature and pas!
Fl such additional measures as may be found
necessary to promote the public welfare
and complete the organization of the New
Government. are among the principal du
ties that will claim the attention Of tn,
present Legislature.
i The people, in this Government, are th'
source Of all power. They have the righ
to task. and il is the duty OF their agents
10 furnish, full and correct Information re
spect,ng the condition and management
OF the affairs Of the State. Complaints o
high taxes and constantly increasing bur
bens. are becoming general; and nothin.
+ contributes more successfully TO allay un
necessary apprehensions on this subject
than full exposition OF our financial op
| ferations. while it enables the Legislature
TO apply the appropriate remedy.
, The Reports OF the various officers o
the Government, which are herewith com
municated, will place before you the de
, tailed accounts Of their respective depart
ments.
!, 1t appears from the Auditors Report
that the receipts into the State Treasur,
for the fiscal year ending November Is
1853, have been as follows:
General Revenue for State purposes
collected upon the duplicate Of
1852. Sl.6s7.79s g
. Canal tolls aid water rents, COS. 165 g.
} Dividends on turnpike, canal and
railroad stocks, 1885 81