Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1856-01-23
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

Representatives
In accordance with the requirements
of the Constitution, and the biennial
sys EN- of legislation which has been
thereby established. you have assembled
in your official capacities to take into con-
sideration the condition of our public af-
fairs and to prepare and pass such laws
as the experience of the last two years
and the interest and wants of the people
may appear 10 demand.
The first year of the biennial period
which has just elapsed. was attended
with the various trials and vicisitudes in
cident to all human associations. The
extraordinary drought that prevailed in
this and most Of the other States of the
Union, occasioned very general failure
of the crops, and the consequent reaction
that occurred in the monetary affairs OF
the country caused much solicitude, and
retarded, to some extent, the progress OF
public as well as of individual improve,
ment.
The abundance and rich returns of
the last year, however. fully compensate
the deficiencies of its predecessor, and
afford ample cause for gratitude to thai
benefcent and allwise Being who dilecis
sll things for the best. and whose scod
ness and favor are apparent in The still
increasing happiness and prosperity OF
our people
In complying with the provisions of
the Constitution which makes it rsy du
ty 10 communicate 10 the General As
sembly The condition of the State" and
TO recommend such inca. urcs" a. in
my Judgment may tend 10 promote the
pu he welfare, invite your attention.
in the first place, to the accompanying
reports of the several State officers
They have been prepared with much
care and ability. and contain full and
detail exposition OF the operations and
present condition of their respective de
partments.
entered upon the duties of the CHIEF
Executive office OF the State. under an
impression, which subsequent experience
has only tended % strengthen, that too
great laxiTy Of practice revails in GER
tain branches of the public service. from
which serious evils might result. The
laws regulating the administration OF
these branches had been adopted under
circumstances widely different from those
which now surround US, and the few
simple safeguards that were formerly
deemed sufficient could be no longtrre
garded as adequate 10 The varied and
greatly increased business entrusted TO
their cafe. Our county and other local
organizations, especially, we're withou
those limitations and restrictions which
are necessary in all public institutions.
This state of things could not fail, if
continued, to exert unfavorable and de
moializing influences on the affairs OF
Government; and l avail myself of the
earliest opportunity that was afforded
me to recommend such Legislation in ref
erence to this subject as was most like
ly in my judgment 10 effect the required
reformation. Much has ce'tainly been
accomplished, but the failure of the Gen
eral Assembly to adopt and carry out
my suggestions more fully, has retarded
the matter. and imposes on ME the ne
cessity of again calling attention to the
subject.
I took occasion in my former message
to develop with unusual minuteness.
through comparative tabular statements,
the financial action of every deparlmen
of the State, as we'll as of the local gov
ernments, for the previous ten years
and now propose to continue the exposi-
lion TO the present time.
refer you with equal confidence and
pleasure TO the last two IT ports of the
Auditor of State, for any information
you may desire in relation 10 our finan-
cial affairs. The untiring industry with
which that officer has attended to his
public duties. and the care and fidelity
which he has always displayed in guard
ing the Treasury OF the people, constitute
his administration an epoch in the hiSto-
ry Of our financial transaction.
From these reports, it appears that the
State Treasury has been The recipient OF
the following revenue during ths past
two years