Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-01-10

the jurisdiction of the United States, not ia
conflict with the rights Of tho slave holding
States. 1t was, in effect, moral pledge to tho
world, that as its trainers and their compat-
triots, had by long, arduous and heTioo stTug
gle, emanoipated themselves and their county
from the political slavery prepared for them by
an oppressive government, so, under our feder.
al system, such laws and constitutions should
bo established in our national territories as
would fully recognize and sacredly guard the
rights of human nature.
And surely it will not be denied, that to this
original and persistent exclusion Of slavery we
are chiefly indebted for our rapid growth as a
State Tor our individual and social wealth and
comforts, our varied and extensive agriculture
and manufactures, our profitable commerce, our
achievements in oil the useful arts, our humane
civilization, and the love of freedom SO univer
sal among the people.
Had slavery been established here, our popu-
latiOn and resources would not be one hall
what they are. In that case, we could not
boast Of our almost unrvaled triumphs in
every branch of material Development; Of our
extensive system of internal improvements; OF
our colleges and universities, our free common
schools, our asylums and other public charities
which crown our State with such distinguished
the superiority Of free ever forced labor, for
all the just purposes Of sOoial and government
al organization.
Upon you, Senators and Representatives aud
your Successors, will devOlve in large part, the
grateful task Of providing by suitable legisla,
ton for the future growth OF the State, and to
preserve in their full vigor, as vital elements Oi
our political and social system, the Just and
humane principles to which have referred.
To you belong the sovereign functions ol
legislation. Upon you devolve the response
bilities of eDacting laws regulating the rights
of property; Of prescribing and enforcing all
duties arising out of the domestic and social
relations; of regulating elections, and Preserv.
ing the purity of the elective franchise; oi
establishing laws for 'he encouragement oI
agriculture, and all useful arts; for the organ
izstion and discipline of the militia; for the ed
ucatiOn of the youth, the support of the poor
and the relief of the afflicted; of providing fol
the payment Of the State debt, and for sacredly
preserving the public faith and of enacting al
other laws, for securing civil rights, and defend
ing the honor of the State.
For the exercise of these supreme powers o.
the State, the people ever extend generous
confidence to their chosen representatives.
The Executive forms no part of the legisla-
tive authority. He exercises no control ovel
legislation His duties are TO see that the laws
are faithfully executed, and TO recommend to
the consideration of the General Assembly,
such measures as he may think adaptedt to pro.
mote the public welfare.
It will not be expected Of me, at this time, tC
call your attention to many matters of legisla
ton. Let me briefly refer to a few:
The existing legislation on the subject of the
fiscal relations of our State and local govern.
ments, without req quiTing radical change, needs
better adjustment of details. Our taxes for
State and local purposes are very burdensome
and more oneTOus on account OF tine large amount
of taxable property that escapes the vigilance
of the assessor. Tue laws should be more
searching, so as to subject all the non-exempt
property, of whatever description, to its ljus
proportion of the burdens of taxation
l Respectfully suggest the expediency Of a
thorough revision OF the laws relating to thi.
entire subject, and particularly of those more
directly affecting our local governments, to the
end, not only of limiting the amount but of bet
ter defining the scope and purpose for which
taxes may be levied, to which may be added
the requiring more specific publication of the
public expenditures in our cities.
Laws cannot be too explicit in defining and
enforcing proper accountability of all persons
acting in apublic capacity. l respectfully re-
commend, that as part of any law you may
enact on this subject, provision be made regu-
lating public contracts, to apply as well to local
as to State administration.
The aPprOPriating public money by public
officer to his private use. shovld be visited with
the most exemplary punishment. It should
avail nothing in what form it may be done,
whether by means of loaRing, depOsiting, OF
otherRise. The gist of the offence should be
the expectation or hope OF the officer OF receiv-
ing private benefit from the act. He should
be prohibited from tamperiDg with the public
funds in any way, and restricted in their use,
to the demands of his official duties. All per-
quisites should be denied him. If the salary be
inadequate to the responsibility or labors of the
particular Office, let it be increased to compen-
satory maximum. Leave no pretext for an
abuse of his trust. The sacredness of private
and public property is the life of republican
forms of government, and one Of the very
highest duties Of the legislator, is to surround
it with all the necessary Safeguards Of law.
The disposition of the Public Works of the
State will doubtless attract your attention.
These Works are no longer self sustaining
They are an annual charge upon the Treasury
defects in the laws relating to their manage.
ment-tO an unWise system Of tOils-to the
want of proper economy in their repairs, Of
to damaging competition Of the more improV.
ed means of transportation, will not now
inquire. m -.
That the question of the disposition of the
Public Works may receive that careful attention
and revision which the interests involved de-
mand, l respectfully suggest to you, the pas.
sage OF q joint resolution authorizing the CON-
mission of three gentlemen of enlarged ex-
perience and capacity, whose special duty il
shall be to make a thorough and detailed eX-
animation Of the entire subject, and that they re.
port to the Governor, at the earliest practicable
period, such changes and notifications in oul
canal laws, as in their judgment are desirable
to lessen the expenses, or TO increase the in
come, SO as at least to make our canals fully
self-sustaining.
If a thorough experience shall demonstrate
that they cannot be mads self sustaining, con
slant agitation must be expected of the propo
sition to sell or lease them, so as to have the
State relieved Of their support.
suggest the appointment of this Commits
sion, because Of my apprehension, and the
Legislature have not the time, nor the means
within their reach, during a session, with so
many other demands upon their attention, tC
give SO complicated and important a subject
that systematic, detailed and thorough investi-
CATION which the interests involved, seem tC
me to require.
Among the topics commanding the attention
of our sister States, and worthy Of your
present consideration, is the measure OF en-.
couragement which State should hold out to
her organized and disciplined militia, The lasi
two General Assemblies enacted laws and di
rected the preparation of regulations, in OrdeI
to perfect the framework Of the State militia
organization, and develop gymetrical and
well ordered system, which has been SO ial
realized, as TO leave little to be done but fol
you to determine, il your wisdom, whethel
the State shall endorse that system by its direcI
aid. -
The Reports from ths proper officers show
that through the want of such a system here
tofofe, the State has lost more than $500, 900 in
Al I q LIT, n