The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-01-18
Governor Dennison's Inaugu-
raj Address. eas

Icl -AuSlfCSSs ilf +stftstA
We have received the Inaugural Adj
dress of Governor Dennison, which was
delivered in presence of both branches OF
the Legislature on Monday at eleven o.
clock. @ g - 81 ss hae
The 6rst part relates to the growth
and prosperity of Ohio, and is dressed
up in exc client style. The substance of
lit, however, has been given the readers Of
the Spirit annually for years back, In
every message of Mr.. Dennison's prede.ss
cessors His recommendations we here;
give. which are the gist of the Ad-so
Gress: cs4qr Aa-8 esaf sass n ssols sssS
/ The existing legislation on the subject :
of the fiscal relations of our State and 81
local governments, without requiringas il
radical change, needs better adjustmehtId
of details. Our taxes for State and lo~ =
cal purposes are very burdensome and
made more onorous on account of the
large amount of taxable property thsts1
escapes the vigilance of the assessor. gag
The laws should be more searching, so as
to subject all the non-exempt property
of whatever description, to its just proper
tion of the burdens of taxation, ie LitslsLs
I respectfully suggest the .expediency !
of thorough revision of the laws, relat- .
ing to this entire subject, and particularly "a
of those more directly affecting our local %
governments, to the end, not only Of lin.
iting the amount, but of better defining II
the scope and purposes for which taxes
may be levied, to which may be added, a
the requiring more specific publication
of'the public expenditures in our cit
les. AZ ts4sas s,lT
| Laws can. not be too explicit in lefin-ro
ing and enforcing proper accountable
ty of all persons acting in public ca- :
pacity. I respectfully recommend that 4
as part of any law you may enact on
this subject, provision be deregula-
ting public contracts, to apply to local :,
as to State administration. rlg ieola
The appropriating public money by
lpublic officer to his private use, should be
visited with the most exemplary punish !,
ment. 1t should avail nothing in, what
form it may be done, whether by means Of
! loaning, depositing, or otherwise The ?
gist of the ofense should be the expecta- Z
, tion or hope of the officer ofreceiving Q
, private benefit from the act. He should
t be prohibited from tampering with tho
| public funds in any way, and restricted {
9 in their use, to the demands of his off,
f cial duties All perquisites should be ;
: denied him. Ifthe salary be inadequate q
b to the responsibility or labors Of the par
ticular Office. let it be increased to COM
! pensatory maximum, Leave no pretext /.
e for an abuse of his trust. The sacred.
ness of private and public proper>y is the ;
life ofrepublican forms of government,
3 and one of the very highest duties of the
5 legislator is to surround it with all the
necessary safeguards of law. 81 ,;i:s'a 81
. The disposition of the Public Works
, of the State will doubtless attract your At
0 tention. These works are no longer =
: 9 lf.sustainipg. They are an annual
: charge upon the Treasury. Why this is .
4 so, whether because of radical defects in
t the laws relating to their management
81 to an unwise system of tolls-to the want
s of proper economy in their repairs, or
e to damaging competition of the more
It improved means of transportation, I will
e not now inquire. iad
S That the question of the dis; o o,ition Of
n our Public Works may receive that care
9 full attention and revision which the in
: terests involved demand, respectfully
suggest to you the passage of joint res
d olutfon authorizing the commission Of
If three gentlemen of enlarged experience
p and capacity, whose special duty it shall
k be to make thorough and detailed ex.
. animation of the entire subject, and that
: they report to the Governor. at the ear
liest practicable period, such changes and
notifications in our canal laws, as in their
Judgment are desirable to lessen the ex-
. penses, or to increase the income, so as at
- least to make our canals fully self.sustain-,
!, ing. aias 1es5a gtli-i iso7s
, If o thorough experience shall demon
= strate that they cannot be name s,f-sus.
: tanning, agitation must be expected of
:, the proposition to sell or lease them. SO az.
: : to have the State relieved of their support::
- l suggest the appointment OF this
y Commission, because of my apprehension,
that the members Of the Legislature have
not the time nor the means within their
g reach. during session, with so many
rs ether demands upon their attention. to
Is give to so complicated aud important o
Ut subject that systematic, detailed and
lr thorough invest CATION which the interest
Us involved seem to ne to require. ss5 "a.
In Among the topics commanding the At
y tention of our sister States, and worthy
s' of your present consideration, is the
measure of encouragement which State
should hold out to her organized and dis
th ciplned malilia The last two General
a Assemblies enacted laws and directed the
n preparation of regulations, in order to
l perfect the framework of the State militia
sh organization, and develop q symmetrical
4 Il ,rr1o ,x.ks soI u 4