American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1856-01-24
c.varaor Medill,s Message.

We published last week the last message
of Gov. Medil to the Legislature OF Ohio
and should have done so the week pvevi-
Gus but for its intolerable length and pro-
ainess, out we presume none of our read
ers lost anything by the delay.
The Governor sets outby informing us,in
a roundabout way, that he IS the Governor
of Ohio and has been for the last two years,
for which we should be grateful to 'that
beni6cent and ADVISE Being who directs all
thing for the best" This should surely
be a very groas consolation to the people Of
Ohio. He also informs is that in "the
first year of the biennial period" the crops
were short, aad in tho second long, owing
entirely to the weather, (miraJAe dic!uO
He then gives US a number Of tables com
prising every thing he coull gather from
the State Offices for the last two years, and
says he did the same thing in his last mes
s'ge, "a fact that every printer romem-
bers.) The Governor, however, makes
some very good suggestions in regard to
the present system of fees Of county and
township Officers and says that in many To-
~lilities these fees amount to fortunes in a
single term Of the officer, and thinks the
LAVISH this respect shoull be amended
W. entirely concur with him upon this
point, an also the next Iha! "every fnan-
eisl transaction should be subjected TO the
most risil accountability, and all misap-
plications OF the public money be severely
punished" And we now suggest that if
certain reports be true in regard to the de-
falcation Of a certain late State officer that
that gentleman be brought "to the mos!
rigid accountability" Immediately and "be
severely punished" The Governor then
takes up the vcxed question Of taxes and
the tax law and demonstrates as clear rs
mud that after all the bitter complaints of
the people of the burden Of taxation, "tLat
It is the taxes not the tax law, which are
exorbitant, and hat the tax law is but the
unweloome witness" We should like to
know in the name Of all goodness, how
ons cent of taxes are ever levied but by
virtue of law. He also thinks that "The
doctrine so frequently advanced that "man
should be taxed only on what he has and
not upon what he has not" does not in fact
apply to our system of taxation;" and in
fact that it is all a humbug generally. If
by the term "our SYSTEM" the Governor
means the Sag Nicht Locofoco system of
taxation, we agree with him perfectly
The suggestion as to a semi annual c%ollec-
ton oftaxes lisa good one and should meet
the early attention of the Legislature.
The Governor has horrid antipaLhy to
Banks $50 had Breslin) and seems to be
much troubled upon this point; but after
warning the Legislature on the subject OF
a further increase of banking facilities con-
solss himself thus; at is a source of some
qualification, however, to know tina. the
present Constitution opposes an insuporable
barrier to the tax exemptions that were
formerly so unwisely and, inconsiderately
granted" "Still harping on my Daugh
ter'-The constitution and tax-law that he
made. This should truly be a great solace
to Kim when the people have done with
his distinguished services &sent him intoa
State of rstiraey.
He recommends the sale Of all the Canal,
Turnpike and Rail Road stocks owned BY
the State which we agree under the press
ing demands OF the taxes mot the tax law
would be a wise measure. The Governor
also thinks if the State Legislature bad fol-
lowed his advice and heaped upon the PEG.
pie "more taxes" the State would not now
find herself in such a snarl with her State
debt which we presume is true to the let.
ter. His recommendations In regard 10 the
School Law in the main are correct. but
more retrenchment and simplicity are want.
ed in that quarter. The House of Refuge
and Correction recommended. is much
needed, and should command the earliest
attention Of the General Assembly. Be.