Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1859-01-08


of the Ohio Canal and on the Hooking Co
nal that It was impossible to make the ro-
pairs necessary to navigation, aud conse-
uuently to revenue, without considerable
expenditure beyond the sums appropriated
to that purpose. In this emergency | did
not hesitate to advise what the interests of
the State clearly required, prompt repairs
aud payment as far as the money could be
spared from the Treasury, by drafts ia ex-
cess OF the appropriations. do not doubt
your approval Of what was then done, or
that provision will promptly be made for
the drafts drawn in this emergency but
to guard against the recurrence of similar
exigencies, | Recommend that a contingent
fund be provided 10y law. from which ex-
penses made indispensably necessary by
unforeseen contingencies of this character,
may be regularly paid
The expenditures on the Public Works
have, during the past year, again exceeded
the revenues, and the question of their fu-
ture disposition must necessarily demand
your attention. My own views upon this
subject have been sufficiently stated in form
er communications. The policy Of sale in
proper sections, for adequate prices, under
such guards and restrictions as will ensure
the continued use of the canals for the pur-
poses they were designed to serve, and ex.
cIudc the control Of the interests now com
petng with them will probably best fulfil the
wishes Of a majority of the people. Ne-
ther public sentiment, however, nor sound
policy Recommend sale for less than their
real value, nor measured by one or two
years Of disaster but aScertained by thor
Ough examination Of all the determining
circumstances, or without such limitations
as will ensure, beyond any probable contin-
gcncy, the ends OF their construction.
The agricultural progress Of the State
during The past year has been steady aud
upon the whole satisfactory. BY the uH-
favorable weather aud the attacks Of in
sect enemies the crops have been diminish
ed and some almost entirely destroyed,
while one or two have exceeded the usual
average, and the defc ency in quantity of
others has been compensated by excellence
OF quality. The health of the people has
been good, aud constant Improvement has
characterized the Instruments and methods
of cultivation. / renew the rcommenda-
tons addressed TO you at your last session
relating to this great and leading interest;
and especially Recommend to your atten-
tlou the admirable Report Of the State
Board which cannot fail to exert most
beneficial influence
l think it my duty again to Recommend
To YOU, the repeal of the net allowing H.
teieSt at the rate Of ten per cent. ltwuuld
he far better, Ia my Judgment, to leave the
subject 0f interest without regulation than
to regulate ii III Shrh way as To emcuur-
age usury, embarras enterprise, aud mpOv-
ISL industry.
Ny opinions, fully communicated to You
AT your last session. in respect to the jISt
claims OF THIS State upon the Federal
Government aS well aS in respect To the
proper interest of Ohio in the due admin
lStratiOn OF that Government, and especial
ly at this time, in its action upon the mo-
mcntouS question of Slavery, remain un-
cha nged aud need uot be re stated.
Permit me TO congratulate You upon the
circumstances under which you
resume the grave duties of legislation -
The storm Of financial disaster which swept
the land and in the summer aud autumn of
1851 has abated, aud, though its effects
are yet visible in much remaining embar-
raSSment, there is every reason to antici-
pate The speedy return Of general prosper-
ty. The dcfalcation which then oppressed
our finances, has been supplied by your
provident legislation ; and general fidelity
and efficiency have marked the several de-
parments Of administration. From this
point We may well look to the future with
hope and confidence. Differing, as we Of
ten may as to the best means of promoting
the public welfare, yet, differing ever with
mutual respect aud mutual personal good
will, we may often find ourselves able to
harmonic differences by mutual concessions
aud combine our efforts for the common
good.
Accept my assurance that in all your en-
deavorS towards this sole end of vrtuOus
patriotism You may confidently rely upon
my Jealous cooperation, and that my sin
cerest wishes will he accomplished if, under
the guidance of Divine Benignity, your leg
iSlation shall be directed to such prosper
ous issues that this General Assembly may
ever be remembered With gratitude 10y the
People of Ohio. S. p. CHASE.
Columbus. January 3. 1859