True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-01-16
GOVERNORS MESSAGE,
Gsntemsn Of he Senate
and House IF Representatives::

Gentlemen Of tie Senate H'S !'6ttta' ~
A'F and House IF Repressntdtivss!: :
10 accordance with the. requirements
Of the Constitution and the biennial sys-
tenn Of legislation which has been there.
by established, you have assembled in
your official capacities to take into consid-
Grafton Of our public affairs, and topre-
pare and pass such laws as the expert
ence Of the last two years and the inter.
ssis and wants Of The people may appear
to demand. b.
The first year Of the biennial period
which has Just elapsed, was attended With
the various trials and vicissiludes incident
10 all human associations. The extraor-
dinary drought that prevailed throughout
this and most Of the o'her States Of the
Union, occasioned very general failure
Of the crops, and the consequent reaction
that occurred in The monetary affairs oI
the country caused much soliciude. and
retarded, to some extent, the progress Of
public as we'll as individual improvement.
The greatabundance and rich returns
Of tbe last year, however, fully compen-
safe the deficiencies Of its predecessor,
! and afford ample cause for gratitude to
that bene6cient and all-wise Being who
directs oil things for the best, and whose
goodness and favor are apparent 10 tue
still increasing happiness aud prosperity
Of our people.
X Ia complying with lhe provisions Of the
Consultation which make it my duty to
cnmmuDcate to the General Assembly
the " condition OF The State" and to re.
commend such measures, as in my
judgement may tend to promote the pub
lie welfare, ! invite your, attention, in The
first place, to the accompanying reports
pflibs several State Officers. They have
been prepared wiili much care and abili
1 ii. and contains a full aud detailed expo,
si,ion Of the operations and present con.
dition Of their respective departments
Icntered upon the duties Of the Chic
Executive Office Of the State. under an
impression. which subsequent experience
has tended 70 strengthen, that loo grea
a laxity Of practice prevailed in certain
branches Of the public service, from
which serious evils might possibly result
ne laws regulating the administration o
these branches had been adopted undel
circumstances widely different from those
which now surround US. and the few sim
pie safeguards that we're formerly deemed
sufficient. could no longer be regarded u
adequate to the varied and greatly increa
sed business entrusted 10 their care. Oul
county and other local organic dions, es
pecially, were without those Limitations
and restrictions which are necessary il
all public institutions.
This state Of things could not fail, j
continued. toexert an unfavorable ant
demoralzins influence on the affairs o
Government, and availed myself 9
the earliest opportunity that was afforded
me to recommend such legislation il re-
ieren,e to this subject as was most likely
in my judgment, 10 effect the required
reformation. Much has certainly beer
accomplished, bul the failure Of the Gen
eral Assembly to adopt and carry out my
suggestions morefully, has retarded ih,
matter. and imposes on me the necessity
Of again calling attention to the subject
Itook occasion 10 nv former messag.
10 dsvelope with unusual miuuteness
through comparative tabular statements
The financial action Of every departmen
Of the State. as well as Of the local gov
arnments. for the previous ten years. ant
now propose to continue the exposition /,
the present lime.
Ireier you with equal confidence anC
pleasure to the lasttwo reports Of th'
Audiiorof State for any information yol
may desire in relation TO our financia
affairs. The untiring industry will
which ,hs. officer has attended to HE pub
liz duties, and the care and fidelity which
be has always displayed 10 guarding
the Treasury OF the people, constitute bi
administration an epoch in the history 0
our financial transactions.
From these reports, il appears that tb'
State Treasury has, been the recipient o
The following revenue during The past tw'
years.
1--WE give totals merely, which are a