Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1854-01-12

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An examination of this statement will
tend to give direct efficiency to any
reformatory and economizing efforts,
since it places the responsibility fol
whatever increase there has been in
State expenditures, upon the depart.
ment of Government to which it proper
ly belongs. Temporary causes, how
ever, have produced much of this in
crease.
The expenses of the last General As
sembly have been made the subject OF
public animadyersion; but, when it is
borne in mind, that upon that body
devolved the responsible and arduous
duty of carrying into effect the New
MISUNDERSTANDING the re-organi-
cation of the entire Government, much
of this animadversion falls to the
ground, as unmerited.
The act providing "for the organiza-
ton of the General Assembly" will, il
strictly observed, obviate all future
cause of complaint. The unnecessary
absence of members has been checked,
sinecures have been abolished, all waste
of public time and means has been
guarded against, and thus a most salu-
tary spirit will be impaired to the whole
Government.
The New Constitution, very properly
relieves the General Assembly of many
powers and duties that were formerly
supposed to disturb its deliberations,
and unnecessarily to consume its time.
The people henceforth expect steady
devotion to the duties now imposed by
the Constitution, within as brief space
of time as is consistent with well ma
tured and well considered Legislation.
The Supreme law of the State i'm
poses, in positive terms, upon the Gen.
eral Assembly, the duty of enquiring
into, and determining upon, the receipts
and expenditures of every branch Of
the Government. Specific appropria-
tons must precede every public expendi-
ture, and no money can be collected ex-
cept in pursuance of law.
For a series of years the Public
Works and Public debts of the State,
have been managed by Executive
Boards. The Board of Public Works
determined upon the amount of tolls,
and the aecruing revenues were ex-
pended partly by the same Board, and
partly by the Commissioners of the
Sinking Fund, without due Legislative
authority. Their proceedings subse-
quently reported. as they were, to the
General Assembly, were seldom very
closely scrutinized, since their examina-
ton, after the transaction, could be of
little public benefit. 4 81
As might have been expected, the
public mind was frequently disturbed |
by charges of very serious character,
which were, on several occasions, in
4uired into by special commissions
The Boards and their incumbents were
frequently changed, but the impression
was never removed from the people,
hat these Boards possessed, or at least
exercised, powers that were liable to be
Ibused; and that, therefore, like all
'ther Executive Officers, they should be
brought under the proper control of the
representatives of the People. l.
A want of certainty prevaded our
inancial systematic nett revenues of
he Public Works fuctusted from year
o year; expenditures were concealed
y after dating, and through mere trans
ers upon the account Of Trust and
imilar funds, the pecuniary transactions
{ the whole Government were mysti-
ed. defying alike, Legislative and popu-
ar scrutiny.
All this forced upon the people the :
that there was some Inherent
in system, which made the
fembers of the Boards, Legislators
nd Executive Officers, at the same :
me. Their executive duties were. Z
nd are, in themselves onerous enough
, require their undivided attention. 7
nd /. was certainly wrong to impose =
pom them, the determination of ques- !
ons of policy, which had bearing far q
eyond the appropriate sphere of their
uties, and which none but the General !.