The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1854-01-13
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.


We are notright sure that our readers have
yet perused the annual Message of the Gov.
ernor to the Legislature of Ohio. 1t is a
document of frightfnl proportions; and very
many who really intend to read it NAV have
been induced by that consideration to Law i,
aside for some rainy Sunday. For although
it is longer than all the laws of Moses, the
people Of Ohio are presumed to have made
themselves familiar with that old code, and
to be now prepared to hear reverently what
Gov. MEDILL has to say, touching the inter-
ests OF our commonwealth of Ohio. What
ever may be thought of the "people Of
lsraeP--of their aywardness-their going
down to Egypt-thcir marvellous exploits in
shaking OFT the austere authority of Pharaoh
their devious journeying in the "rural region
their abject idolatry which left to the die.
tates of their unaidsd judgements, and all
that-still, it must be admitted, that Nose.
was considerably eminent in his day, as a
Legislator; and some OF his statutes are
even now regarded as evincive of az much
practical acumen, and imbued with as dis.
eliminating sense of human imperfectibil.
ity and knowledge Of mans wants. as the
very best considered specimen of our new
code But Ohio is a "great State" neverthe.
less--and we hope our readers will not be
frightened by the length of Gov. MEpILLs
message, from giving it careful and candid
perusal. We may not forestal their opinions
OF its merits by any remarks of ours:-Sut
meanwhile give our readers the following
reflections Of the Cleveland HeraM.-O. s,
Journal.
This document has been perused by our
readers, and we are not disposed to devote
much space or time to its review.
The Message has been prepared with much
care and labor, and gives full and elaborate
statement of the condition of Ohio. As a
general thing we are pleased with it. Com
ing as it does from an extreme politician, it is
as free from party bias as could be expected.
Laying aside Gov. MEpILL's undue anxiety
to laud the New Constitution, and his glaring
unialrness in treating upon that feature Of
the Constitution out of which grew that un-
just statute, familiarly known as the "crow-
bar law" we see but little to criticise-as
whole, there is much more to admire than to
condemn.
So far as the Governors laudation of the
New Constitution is concerned, it should be
borne in mind that Mr.. MEpILL was the Presi-
dent of the Convention which framed it, an d
therefore it is pardonable in him-ifin any
body-to hold up its good points, and keep
out OF view its bad ones.
The matter of the clause in the new con-
sttuton which says cal property employed
hanEinn shall al hao. r
taxation equal to that imposed on the prop
erty of individuals" is argued like a shrewd,
cunning lawyer, but,-we are sorry to say
also like dishonest lawyer, for Mr.. Medill
knows that this clause in the constitution is
grossly violated by the crow-bar, and that
under that law. Banks are taxed double and
treble what they honestly should be. But
let that pass,
The feature Of this Message which should
be examined and studied, is its tables OF
State expenditures. The Locofocos will not
thank the Governor for those figures, for if
ever train was laid to blow party sky-high,
it is done in this Message. These tables are
a proud vindcalion of the honesty of Wing
rule, and coming as they do from a violent
political opponent, should forever shut the
mouths of Ohio Locolocos about Wing ex-
travagance, and Wing rascality. Most en-
phalically can Ohio Wings say to Ohio Loco
focos. "Out Of thine own mouth do we con-
demn you;" and most assuredy should the
people of the State dismiss them from office,
bidding them "go and sin no more" Ponder
these things, reader. and recollect, it is the
testimony of a friend of the guilty party.
Look at the tsbuler statement of the State
expenses for ten years past, and compare the
expenses of Wing rule with Locofoco rule.
Bear in mind the year is43-4 was a Locofoco
year; ls45, '46 and al Wing years; Is4s
Locofocos and Freesoil mired; Is49, 80, Yl,
80, 'bs, Locofoco years. Take few of the
items in the table; first, Judiciary. OF course
this necessarily could vary but little, aud we
only wish the tax payer to note, that under
the new constitution, our Judiciary in the
year 1853, over the year Of the old constitu. !
ton in 1851, increased S9s, s,454,oo. Again,
take State Officers. In the Locofoco wear
Of is4i, these officials cost US S6,7s9 90 but