Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1856-01-22

y Wv Dcuuty " tUctt OWu kikHt9s euW thV Nv
ySsncensent Of their own interests
To the successful working Of such inslitu
iious, two conditions arc Indispensable. Tie
hfst u, personal freedom; the second 10 Official
responsibility. Without personal freedom, in.
violably secured IN every individual. there may
be 4 community Of privileged supeTiors and de-
graded dependents; bu. there cannot be. in the
true sense OF the word, . people. Without
responsibiliv. constantly exacied and vigor.
ously enforced. the servants Of The people ore
buttoo apt IL become their masters Eternal
vigilance, 1t has been well said, 10 the price Of
Liberty"
j. Taxation.
On This subject, Gov. CHASE express.
.es the following opinions;
"Thc burdens Of taxation have become very
srievous. Reform. both in measure and in
mode, is universally demanded; and earnest.
ly invoke your most serious attention to this
important matter. Az far as possible, the ag'
gfegate Of taxation should be reduced by the
introduction Of rigid economy into every branch
M the public service; and the greatest care
should be taken to apportion its burdens equal
ly upon oil non exempt property Of every de.
scription, by whomsoevef held. No favor and
UO O1biuvOt bUOuiu UC ouUWu WWotuo oiS oC-
scfiption Of property or class Of owners, rather
Than towards another"
Currency.
"A sound and sufficient currency is indispen-
sable to the welfare Of every civilized commu.
nifty. The best practicable currency, in my
judgment, would be currency OF coin, admit
ting the use Of large notes on'y, for the conveL
ence Of commerce. Such currency. howev.
er, is only attainable through the legislation Of
Congress, and the action Of the General Gov
eminent. Connected as we are on all sides
with States ia which banks Of circulation are
established, our actual currency, in the absence
OF adequate banking capital within our limits,
must necessarily be supplied. in great mea
sure, by institutions beyond our control and
exempt from our taxation. All attempts 10 ex-
clude, by penal legislation, the bank notes Of
other States from circulation in this have pro.
we'd Intellectual; and the public sentiment de-
mands an increase Of banking capital, organ.
ICED under our own laws, contributing in just
measure, to our own revenues, and sufficient to
furnish the necessary facilities for the transac.
ton of business. The Constitution Of the State
indicates the mode in which this demand may
be satisfied. 1t provides for authorizing asso'
Citations with banking powers, BY act Of Gener.
al Assembly, to be submitted to the people al
the next general election, and not to take ef.
feet, unless approved by o majority Of all the
voters. In framing such an act, should you
deem it cxpedient 10 exercise the power thus
vested in you, the utmost care should he used
to secure the prompt and certain convertibility
of every note issued, into gold or silver com,
upon demand Of the holder; to protect The
community against oil abuses OF granted pow
en; and 10 guard against the evils OF monopoly
by extending the benefits of the act TO all who
will give ample securities and guarantees which
you will, doubtless, require. No general oh.
lection exists to mixed currency Of coin and
notes exchangeable for coin at the will of the
holder without loss; while all mere paper mon
ey systems, pre- nant with fraud and fruitful Of
ruin, Justly incur universal reprobation.
Education.
III need not commend to your iudicious con.
siderati0n the Educational and Benevolent In
stilutions of the Slate. Universal Education is
our cheapest defence, and surest safeguard, and
most enduring wealth. Our common schools,
which secure to The people this greet benefit.
ere firmly established in their affections, and
will justly claim the fostering care Of their rep
resentatives.
Mr.. CHAsE then recommends thor.
ough organization Of the Mil,ia, with a
view to securing our quota Of arms. He
also favors the organization Of Volun.
,ser Companies.
The New Constitution.
The Governor (avors on amendment,
securing the election Of members Of the
General Assembly by single Districts.
Hs says:
"Where one representative s chosen to rep |
resent one district, there will necessarily be the
most careful scrutiny Of qualification; the least
liability TO misinfomation and mistake; the
closest sympathy in opinion and purpose, the
most vigilant observation Of representative ac-
ton; and the liveliest sense Of representative
responsibility. Where more representatives
than one are chosen from the same district, all
these securities are sensibly impaired. Oppor
tunity is afforded for unwarrantable combina
lion among aspirants and their partizans; the
people are disabled from informing themselves
thoroughly ss to the character and qualiica-
tions Of candidates; and the decisions Of the
msjority OF delegation, conforned to the inter
ests Of party, are apt to be substituted as guides
Of representative action, for the will Of the con-
determined by true regard for the
interests Of the people.
In the Convention which framed our present
State Constitution, hesubject of representation
was much discussed. BY many Of the most en-
lightened and most respected members OF that
body, Of all political parties, the division OF the
State into single districts for the choice Of SEN
ators and Representatives was earnestly defen.
ded and strenuolsly urged. A majority Of the
however, preferred and adopted
the existing system.
II will hardly be insisted that this system has
proved satisfactory to the people.
II is founded upon no consistent principle.
In much the largest part Of the State il estab
fishes single districts, while it creates dual and
plural districts in the remaining parts. For the
choice OF Senators, the whole State is divided
into single districts except Hamilton county
That county is made plural district, with three
Senator'S. For the choice Of Representatives,
fifty counties are arranged as single districts of
one OF more counties ench; thirty counties are
made single districts for some and dual districts
for other representative terms; four counties are
permanent dual districts. two coun
ties are made sometimes dual, and sometimes
plural districts and one county, Hamilton, is
constituted permanent plural district, with
eight Representatives for each Of the 1rst four
terms, and seven ior the fifth.
While thus detective in principle, the sys.
ten fails to commend itself BY It's practical op.
rration.
LettLe largest plural district IIamilto coun-
IN, be cofnpsred, ior example. with Morrow
county. ssingie district. Hamilton county has
eight Representatives, while Morrow county
hss but enc. Each elector in Hamilton, there.
fi,se, votes ioT and is represented by eight dele