Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1856-01-24
inaugural Address Of Lieutenant Gov
ernor Ford.
GESTlENES on I'm sESArE.

/ @AAeA n @A1s
'GKETLEsKE or sHx SENATE.
The duties which pertain to the Office {,
which | have been called BY the people, ex-
cepi on the contingency provided for in the
Constitution. are limited, though not without
responsibilities; responsibilities which will
doubtless for time cause no small degree
Of embarrassment, for / am entirely wanting
in knowledge Of the duties of Tie char.
But this deficiency shall be remedied as far as
a proper regard for the advice Of those better
acquainted with Parliamentary rules then my
self aud unremitting exertion on my parL can
avail. In the meantime hope this honorable
body will cordially extend TO me a consider
ate indulgence, resting well assured. as you
may, that come to preside over you with no
otheL feelings than those Of justice, and eour-
tesy, with firm determination, to the best
of my abilities. apply the rules established BY
yourselves with strict imparlially, to protect
the rights aud respect the feelings Of all
As the presiding officer Of the Senate, not
authorized to participate in debate, and only
to vote when that body may be equally dvi-
ded, must, notwithstanding feel deep IN
terest in the result of those deliberations, as
they shall tend to advance the interests of the
commonwealth,
TO the executive head of the Government
belongs the privilege, as it is made his duty,
to recommend to the General Assembly such
measures as he may deem Of importance to
the public veal. As therefore, it Is not ex-
pected, so it would seem improper that the
presiding officer Of this body should assume in
any way the exercise Of that function.
The intimate official relations which | bear,
however, to this branch of the Government,
may excuse me il | shall venture 10 allude to
the circumstances under which the General
Assembly is convened.
Rarely, if ever, since the organization Of
the State Government, has greater respons.
bih!y devolved upon the law-making power,
in view Of the demand for prompt and well. con.
sidereG Legislation on the most important and
intricate subjects oftaxaton and finance, than
it is now called upon to meet.
The real sources Of the well founded COM
plants that come up from every quarer in re-
gard to The burtheas of taxation, lie beyond
the vision of the mere superficial observer, TO
whose eye nothing but general prosperity is ap
parent To ycur wisdom is conided the task
CO0UUe0L -
pectation of remedy and relief
There are not few, however, and of those
are to be found numbers of the most valuable
who look to the action of the General
Assembly with doubt, if not distrust. So ab.
sorbed has the public mind Tor, to speak more
properly, the minds Of those who assume to
think for the public, ofate been in the con-
of national affairs. that the interests
of the State and of the people have been, to a
great extent, lost sight of
1t would not be going too far to say that
the power and patronage of the Fedeal Govern.
meAt exercise such an in fueuce over the ac-
tion OF political parties and by sympathy over
that of individual citizens as to give rise TO
well grounded apprehensons that the sover-
eignitY, honor and dignity Of the State may be.
come objects OF secondary consideration.
The relations which the National and State
Governments bear TO each other, and the
fealty which. as citizens. we owe to each with
in the sphere prescribed to them by the theory
Of our Union, shall not presume to consider.
Suffice 1t to say that the tendency which
have referred to is inimical to the integrity of
both, il 1t be admitted as il cannot be denied
hat we shall best secure the great purposes
'or which they have been established, by re.
yarding each as supreme within the limits of
is legitimate, constitutional sphere of action
70 the Congress of The United States is COM
nited the exclusive power to legislate upon ma.
ional affairs. To the General Assembly of
ohio is alike committed the exclusive DO wer
# providing for the wants and developing the
interests of the State and the people. Whilst
n the one hand we shall not hesitate to resist
ncroachments upon the rights of the State or
be people come from whatever quarter they
nay, so on the other we shall best maintain
just appreciation Of our own rights by alb
tanning from any Interference with subjects
ommited to other powers, and devoting our
elvs to the exclusive consideration ofthe vari-
us and diversified interests of the people of
Jhlo which they have eonided to our charge.
That you, gentlemen, WILDE found adequate
o the delicate and responsible duties YOU are
allied 10 discharge, and that all your actions
vii be governed by the paramount consdera.
ion that the interest and honor of the State of
lhio are alone and exclusively committed to
our charge, am not permitted to doubt.
Unaccustomed as | am to the duties devolv-
g upon me in my present position, | shall,
oTev"l, endeavor to perform my duties so as
} merit the approval due to the best inten
ons.