The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1859-01-13

members 10 charge, upon these Serti6cstes,
draws his check on the Auditor for payment;
and the Auditor is required, without further
evidence of the claim, to issue his warrant
for the amount upon the Treasurer. No fact
has come TO my knowledge exciting suspi.
cion that this large discretion in the expen.
diturs Of the large sums appropriated for the
! Public Works has been used, but Il is Ger.
tainly worthy Of consideration whether the
principle of checks and limitations upon dis.
bursemenis which has been applied in other
departments OF expenditure may not be pro.
perly introduced into this.
The extraordinary foods OF The last sum
mer were attended by disastrous consequent
ces to the canals. So numerous and exten.
sive were the injuries to the southern portion
of the Ohio Canal and on the Hooking Canal
that Il was impossible to make the repairs
necessary to navigation, and consequently
to revenue, without considerable expendi-
lures beyond the sums appropriated to that
purpose. In this emergency did not hesi-
tate to advise what the interests Of the State
clearly required, prompt repairs and pay
ment as far as the money could be spared
from the Treasury, by drafts In excess Of the
appropriations. ! do not doubt your approval
OF what was then done, or that provision will
promptly be made for the drafts drawn 10 this
emergency but to guard against the recur-
renee Of similar exlgences, recommend
that contingent fund be provided by law,
from which expenses 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 oftheir future
disposition must necessarily demand your at
tention. My own views upon this subject
have been sufficiently stated in former COM
municntions. The policy of sale in proper
sections, for adequate prices, under such
guards and restrictions as will insure the
continued use Of the canals for the purposes
they were designed to serve, and exclude
the control OF the interests now competing
with them, will probably best fulfil the wish
es of majority of the 0ople. Neither
public sentiment, however, nor sound policy,
recomme nds o sale for less than their real
value, not measured by one or two years Of
disaster, but ascertaned by thorough exam
ination OF all the determining circumstances,
or without such limitations ns will ensure
beyond any probable contingency, the ends
OF their construction.
AGRICULTURAL.
The agricultural progress of the State dur.
ing the past year has been steady, and upon
tine whole satisfactory. BY the unfavorable
weather and the attacks of insect enemies,
some crops have been diminished, and some
almost entirely destroyed, while one or two
nynoodoh Ia tkn
deficiency in quantity of others has been
by excellence of quality. The
health Of the people has been good, and con-
slant improvement has haracterized the in.
struments and methods of cultivation. Ire
new the recommendations addressed to you
at your last session relating to this great and
leading interest ; and especially recommend
to your attention the admirable Report of
the State Board, which cannot fail to exert
q most beneficial influence.
TEN PER CENT. LAW.
think it my duty again to recommend to
you the repeal of the act allowing interest
at the rate of ten per cent. 1t would be far
better, in my judgment, to leave the subject
Of interest without regulation than to regu
late it in such way as to encourage usury,
embarrass enterprise, and impoverish indus
try.
SLAVERY.
My opinions, fully communicated to YOU
at your last session, in respect to the just
claims Of this State upon the Federal G ov-
ernment, as we'll as in respect TO the proper
interest OF Ohio in the due administratio
OF that Government, and, especially at this
time, in its action upon the momentous ques-
Of Slavery, remain unchanged and need not
be restated.
CONGRATULATIONS.
Permit me to congratulate you upon the
auspcous circumstances under which you
resume the grave duties oflegislation. The
storm OF financial disaster which swept the
land in the summer and autumn of 1857 has
'bated, and though its effects are yet visible
n much remaining embarra ssment, there is
very reason to anticipate the speedy return
'f general prosperity. The defalcations
which then oppressed our finances, have been
supplied by your provident legislation and
general fidelity and efficiency have marked
The several departments of administrati ton
From this point we may we'll look TO the
future with hope and confidence. Differing,
as we often may, as to the best means OF
promoting the public welfare, yet, differing
ever with mutual respect and mutual person
a. good will, we may often find ourselves
able to harmonlze differences by mutual con-
cessions, and combine our efforts for the
common good. Accept my assurance that
in oil your endeavors towards this sole end
Of virtuous patriotism, you may confidently
'ely upon my Jealous CO. operation, and that
my sincerest wishes will be accomplished,
t, under the guidance of Divine Benignity,
your legislation shall be directed to such
prosperous issuses that this General Assem-.
bly, may ever be remembered with gratitude
BY the People OF Ohio.
s. P. CHASE.
COLUMBUS, January 5, 1859.