True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-01-23


powers, by strict Limitations of authority,
and by frequent elections.
TO you, Senators and Representatives,
belongs exclusively the function of legis-
lation. No part Of this power, and no
control whatever over your exercise of it
is con6ded to the Executive To him
belongs the duty of recommending to
your consideration such measures as he
may think best adapted to promote the
public welfare; but there his duty ends.
The rest is yours.
( To secure individual rights against in.
vasion; 10 furnish adequate remedies for
the redress of injuries; 10 provide ihe
means and diffuse the benefits of educa-
tion; to rescue, from unhappy destinies
those children Of sorrow, the deaf, the
dumb, the blind, the insane; 10 define the
Just course and limits of individual and
associated action; to develope the resour-
ces, protect the interests, and defend the
honor Of the State; TO maintain the pub
lie Iaith, and make provision for the dis.
charge Of the public obligations; these
ale some of the high duties which the
Constitution OF the State and the choice
Of the People devolve upon you.
For the supply Of the means necessary
to the due performance of these duties,
and TO The proper administration of the
State government, the patriotism Of the
people may be safely trusted; but they
will Justly require that no more revenue
be collected than is indispensably neces-
sary to these ends: and that clear accounts
be rendered of its faithful application to
proper public purposes.
The burdens of taxation have become
very grievous. Reform, both in measure
an d in mode is universally demanded;
and | earnestly invoke your most serious
attention to this important matter. SAs
far as possible, the aggregate of taxation
should be reduced by the introduction ol
rigid economy into every branch jof the
public service; and the greatest care
should be taken 10 apporlion lis burdens
equally upon all nonexempt property of
every description, by whomsoever held.
| No(avor and no dis-favor should be shown
towards one description of property or
class of owners rather than towards an
other.
Under instructions issued by the late
Auditor of State, the statutory right of
each citizento deduct his debts from his
credits, an listing his property for taxation
has been, denied. In issuing these inslruc.
lions, the, late Auditor was governed,
doubtless, BY respect for decision of a
majority Of the Judges Of the Supreme
Court, BY. which the section Of the act
which allows this deduction, was declared
to be unconstitutional. Notwithstanding
that decision, however, the Legislature
has not Thought fit to repeal the law, and
it may be doubted whether the Court, up
on Reconsideration, will adhere to the
opinion heretofore expressed. Should
the present,Audilor under these circum-
stances, think, il his duty to conform his
instructions 10 the statute, which remains
unrepealed, rather than 10 The opinion of
the majority of the Court, the right de-
MED by his predecessorlwill be restored.
A sound apd sufficient currency is in
dispensable 10 the welfare of every civil.
lied community. The best practicable
currency, in my judgment, would be a
currency of coin, admitting the use of
lerge notes only for the convenience of
comm erco. Such a currency, however,
is only aItainable through the legislation
of Congress, and The action of the Gen.
eral Government. Connected as we are
on all sides with States in which banks of
circulation are established, our actual cur
rency, in the absence Of adequate bank
ing capital within our limits, must neces.
sarily be supplied, in great measure, 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 proved ineffectual; and the public
sentiment demands an increase of banking
capital, organized under our own laws
E contributing, in just measure, TO our own
5 revenues, and sufficient 10 furnish the ne.
cessary facilities for the transaction oI
business. The Constitution of the State
indicates the mode in which this demant
+ may be satisfied. Itprovides for authori
zing associations with banking powers
by act Of the General Assembly, to b,
e submitted to tho people at the next gen
eral election, and not to take effect, unles
then approved by a majority of all th'
voters. In framing such an act, shoulc
you deem it expedient to exercise tn,