The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1857-01-14

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and with more advantage to the State.
Would it not be well, also, to prescribe
an uniform rule in respect to the times for
making all reports? Atpresent some are
required to be made at the close ofethe
dscai year; some at other periods; some
bienniauy; some annually, and some semi
annually. 1t woul conduce. greatly to
The Introduction of order and responsibility
into public affairs if all reports should be
required to be made ON the twentieth day
of November, February, May, and June,
Of each year; the Novcmher report en-
braeing all the transactions of, the fiscal
year, and the other Reports only those of
THE preceding quarter.
Permit me now to invite your attention
to a few topics, intimately connected with
the public welfare, but not discussed in
any of these reports.
The state of the law in relation to Mar
ried Women deserves your consideration.
Our legislation is already honorably dis
tinguished by its provisions in that behalf;
but much remains to be done. Many
of the benefcent provisions of the
civil law might be transferred, with bene-.
cit, to our code. 1t is difficult to percieve
any reason why wife, allowed to sue sep
arately from her husband, should be re-
quired to sue in the name of her next
friend. Instances not unfrequently occur
of gross oppression through the absolute
control given to the husband over person
al estate, and particularly over household
goods. / can perceive no valid reason
!, why the wife may not be allowed prop
erty in personally and especially in goods
pertaining to the house, and protected in
t the possession by sufficient and summary
t remedies. These are but samples of need
5 ed reforms in this direction commend
: the whole subject to your best reflections.
r Defect in the laws regulating practices
: in criminal cases often give rise to serious
+ embarassments in the administration OIL
. justice, and occasion great expense and
e Inconvenience to the counties Immediately
: concerned. suggest the expediency O
If revising aid C ,difying those laws.
/ The inadequ'cy of judicial compensa
J. tion is much complained of. High sala
d ries are inconsistent with the true idea o
is republican government; but fair reward
j. for skilled labor are due for public as wei
at as for private service. Perhaps the bes
ct test of proper compensation is the dispo
is sition of thoroughly competent persons t
If take and hold Office at the compensatio
allowed. Tried by this test it must b
re admitted that the salaries of the Suprem
p Judges, and, in some parts of the State
6, OF Common Pleas Judges, are insufficient
he Learned and able Judges of the Suprem
ed Court have resigned their places becaus
RS unable to serve for the compensation a
.e- lowed; and in some of the Counties it
es, impossible to induce men of large exp
nd rience, learning and requirement, to a
re- cept judicial positions. In ccnsiderir
he this subject it may be well to rememb,
ed that the whole amount of the salaries
is all the Judges of the Supreme Court al
,al Common Pleas Courst is less than Il
ne annual cost of the three Lunatic Asylum
las Alleged abuses of the elective franchi
III will probably claim yonr attention. II
OF right of suffrage is sacred. 1t is the rig
es. to vote which makes the citizen
Dr. sovereign. 1t is the right which of &
by political rights is to be most scrupulous
at guarded and most resolutely defended
ng Every citizen, native,or naturalized, is e
Try titled to the most absolute freedom al
ge security in the exercise Off Frauds u
Ie- on this right merit the severest reprob
en- ton; for the frauduleat voter cheats Il
OF people of their rightful control of the
,d: own affairs. Every suitable measure f
of the prevention Of such frauds will deser'
iy- your earnest attention. 1t viii only
,th necdfnl to beware, lest the proposed rcr
ire edy for o.-e class of evils, become Il
,re source of others still more grievous.
re- The subject of amendments of the Sta
ity Constitution must necessarily come und
he your consideration OF the present sessio
ID Upon former occasion l submitted
as you my views in favor of amendments pr
he viding for an impartial distribution of p
he litical power among all portions of Il
nd State and for the adequate representatit
III. of every interest, by Single Districts; al
mt securing effective supervision over eve
eel department OF administration anu reat
as adoption of legislation to the wants al
Ig- wishes of the people, by Annual Session
ier Much dissatisfaction is expressed wi
mt the constitutional organization of the j
ay dietary, and particularly with the syste
is OF District Courts Some relief from Il
g- Iincouveniences complained of may
,at gained by repeating the legislative pr
eel visions for jury trials in the district Court
'c- and by relieving them from holding mo
W. annual terms than the Constitution abs
lte lutely requires Whether for the prese
lry the evils of the existing system shall
OF redressed as far as possible by these
ess other expedients. or an attempt shall
&C. made to effect more radical cure throus
an amendment of the Constitution, | su
ng nit, respectfully, to your better judgmen
he Other amendments of the constituti,
he may, doubtless, be made with adva
lr- tage. / suggest only those which seem
lie. he most essential, and most generally
to mapdad hy tho public sentiment