The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-01-11


tains many useful provisions; but their
value is greatly impaired by its virtual
sanction Of the receipt of whatever the
several Counties Treasu-e.s may choose
to take in payment of taxes; by the absence
of all provision in relation to the exchange
of funds; and by its omission to require
bonds to the satisfaction of State officers
for the safe keeping and transfer of moneys
belonging to the State. In the practical
execution of the act the County Treasur-
ers have generally received for taxes what
ever was current in their counties, and
in some instances, it is said, checks of iE.
dividuals on banks in their vicinity, and
have made such exchange of the funds re-
ceived for coin or other funds, as the pub-
lie interest seemed to require. That in
this action they were governed by consid-
erations of public convenience and pubic
duty, is not questioned. The action it's
self, however, reveals the defective charac.
ter of the law. When the bank notes
are received in payment for taxes, and re-
tanned in the treasury, the bank issuing
them, whether foreign or domestic, are
made the real depositaries of the public
funds, without interest and without secur-
ity. So. where checks of private citizens
are received, those citizens, SO long as
their checks are hello, are constituted such
depositaries. The virtual requirement by
the act Of the exchange of currency for
other currency can hardly fail to give oc.
casion to dangerous dealing with che pub
lie funds. The act therefore, seems to
me to fail of its i.tent. Under il de-
posit system of the most unsafe descrip-
tion may grow up, and the use of public
funds for private benefit can hardly be
prevented. Everything must depend on
the integrity of the State and County
Treasurers.
see no way of escape from these diff.
culties, except by substituting for this
system of indirect deposits and hazardous
exchange, thoroughly guarded plan for
the direct deposit of all moneys received,
without exchange, with selected deposita-
ries, from wtom ample securities have
been required and taken; or by the adop-
tion, in full, of the Federal system, provi-
ding for the appointment of Sub-Tressu-
rers, requiring from them ample bonds,
and prohibiting the receipt, for public
dues, OF anything but coin. or, at most,
specie notes of Ohio banks. Even such
notes could not be received without con-
$ stituting the banks, to the extent Of such
receipts, public depositaries without secu'
ritY. Of two such alternatives as these
: it can hardly be doubted that. under ex
/ listing circumstances, the. former will re
! ! ceive the approval of the people.
! In former communications, I have re
e peatediy recommended to legislative con
t sideratlon the interests of our Agriculture
u OF the entire products of the State. two
thirds are from the farms. Of the entir
It wealth of the State, more than half is il
e farms. OF the entire taxation of the State
IT much more than half is paid by farmers
!. To protect their interests and promot
their prosperity, must necessarily be prom
is inent objects of wise legislation. Sug
l. gestions in relation to these objects, me,
u iting careful consideration. will be foun
,e in the Agricultural Report, and in th
is resolutions of the State Board of Agricu
ID ture. Permit me, also, to renew a sul
as IN gestion heretofore made, of additions
II provision for premiums to be offered
n the State and County Agricultural s.
er cie;ies And may not add that the r.
s. sumption and completion of the Geolog
i cal Survey of the State, with special refe
m ence to agriculture and mining could n,
lie fail to benefit oil interests connected wit
ne the soil.
.e .h An act of the last General Assemb
in directs the judges of election to reject Il
n votes of persons who may appear to ha'
y distinct and visible admixture Of Africs
ad ad blood. 1t is not very easy to term VIII
n is distinct admixture of that descriptio
d. of blood, or when it may be said to
re visible. 1t is quite certain, however. th
re- re- it is beyond the power Of the Legislatu
ey w to enlarge or abridge the right of suffraI
mt defined by the Constitution. By that j
nd strument it is restricted to white male ci
ss- izens. The question, who are included
- the description, is not for the Legislatur
ss- but for the Courts An attempt to d
I'll eide it by enactment must necessary
Ter mischievious, both in itself aud as ps
ss.a eedent The act referred to is not on
il. such an attempt, but it gives to judges
ne elections, under loose and uncer.a
er- rule, large and dangerous power, cap
BILE of being perverted to. extreme abus
yly I therefore recommend its repeal.
ea- The Constitution declares that the
ice shall be no slavery in this State, nor
no 10 voluntary servitude. except for punis
in. ment of crime. To give effect to this pr
ne, vision, and to arrest the practice, becol
4de ing common through impunity, of seizi
'es ',s and taking out of the State, without a
in warrant or process of law, persons clai'
e1- ed as fugitives from service, though oft
M in fact free, I recommend the re-ena,
re- ment of the acts repealed by the last &c
a. az eral Assembly, prohibiting slaSehoidi
and kidnapping in Ohio. and securil
ol- more effectualIy the benefits of the writ
ev- habeas corpus.