Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1860-01-13

hether because of radical defects in the
laws relating to their management-to
an unwise system of tO:is-to the want
of a proper economy IN their repairs, or
10 a damaging competition of the more
improved means OF transportation, l viii
not now enquire.
That the question of the disposition of
our public works may receive that care
full attention and revision which the in
terests involved demand, / respectfully
suggest to Won the passage OF a joint re-
solution authorizing the commission OF
tlirer gentlemen oil enlarged experience
and capacity, whose special duty 1t shall
be to make a thorough and detailed ex-
animation oil the entire subject, ana that
they report to the Governor, at the earli-
est practicable period, such CHI nges and
notifications in or canal laws. as IN
their judgement are desirable t. lessen
the expenses, or to increase the income,
So as at least to make our canals fully
self sustaining.
If L t~horengh experience shall lemon
strate, that they caan1t be male self sus-
tanning, constant agitation must be ex
pected of the proposition to sell or lease
InGIlp dA 10 u3hO kHO 'ShNtc "a ~
their support.
| suggest the appointment of this
Commission, because of my apprehension
that the members of the Legislature have
not the time, nor the means within their
reach, during a session. with SO many
other demands upon their attention. tu
give SO complicated and important asub-
icct, thai systematic, detailed ami tlIoro-
ugh investigation which the interests in
volved. seem to me to require.
Among the to, ,ics commanding the at
tention OF our sister States, and worthy
of yonr present csnsi i~eration is the mea-
surs of encouragement which a State
shonld hold ont to her organized and
disciplined militia. The last two Gene
raj Assemblies enacte laws and directed
the preparation of Regulations. in order
to perfect the frame work of the State
militia organic tion, AMI develope a
symmetrical and wcll-ortlred system,
which has been so far realized, as to leave
little to be done but for you to determine
in vour wisdom, whether the State shall
endorse that system by its direct all.
The Reports from the proper off RS
show, that through the want of such a
system heretofore, the State has lost
more than 5000, 600 in value of the arms
received from the United States. A pro-
per State Arsenal, AMI such direct all to
the citizen soldier, under stringent limi-
t~ations, as would practically defray the
actual expense Of keeping the arms in
the manner prescribed by law, would, it
is believed. prevent similar sacrifices in
the future. and be economical to the
State. 1t would also command a small
large TO give weight to the sanctions of
law, and prove a sufficient nucleus for
any necessary increase.
l invite your attention also to the sub
iect of the unequal representation in both
branches of the General Assembly, re-
! sulting from the system of single, dual
and plural election districts, provided by
the constitution, for the purpose of rec
ommending to your favorable considera-
| ton. an amendment of the constitution.
establishing a uniform system of single
election districts, which SHOULD be based
solely upon population Such a plan OF
superintendent. Seems to me, to be alike
required by a logical regard to the theo-
nv of our form of government. the secu-
rity of the people at large against the I'M
due control of particular sections of the
State, and for the inst protection Of mi
n%orities against the power of majoritits
in the more popnlous counties.
The geographical position of orr State
forever Identifies her destiny with that
of the great valley Of the West. What
ever mayafEect the growth or pre- rerity
of this highly favored region, must be of
interest to us. Among the objects which
have long attracted the anxions atten-
ton Of the people cf the West, and which
they instly regard as of paramount i'm
p~ortance to their material progress. is
the improvement of tho Ohio and Miss
issippi rivers. and our Lake harbors.
Invite your attention to this import
ant subject, for the purpose of respect
fully requesting yonr earnest application
to Congress, to adopt such measures.
and to make such appropriations from
the National Treasury, as will be ON
mensurate to the removal of the obstIuc
TORS 10 the navigation of these great
highways, and to the needed improve
ment of these important depots, of Yves
tern commerce.
When we consider the magnitude of
the region directly interested in the nav
igation of these rivers, and Dur Western
lakes, embracing territorial extent Of
nearly 500. 900 square milcs-a terrific
rial suLtrficies greater than the entire ex-
tent of the original Thirteen States, com
p%rising eleven States and two Territories
and parts of three other States, with a
population of at least thirteen millions,
and but little less than one: half OF the
entire population Of the United States
we may we'll express our amazenent at
the unwise and illiberal rolicy ofCon-
gress, SO long md persevelingly persis-
ted in, of refusing the necessary aid for
disarming of its dangers the navigation
of these rivers, and for increasing the
safety of our lake har5ors.
Other States have embraced the plan
suggested, and the couIselS of the faith
ers of the Republic, unite with the con-
current action of the majority of the
state Legislature, to pronounce a well
regulated militia, which is from and of
the people, to be one of the surest safe
guards for the enforcement Of law, the
maintenance of order, and the perpetu-
alton of those personal rights which are
our chief reliance and dear to every Amer
lean citizen.
Every other State in the Union, ex-
ccpt Florida. has completed, or has in
progress a geological survey of her ter
ritory; and l would mend to your
early consideration. the completion of
the geological survey of this State,
which has been to" long suspended. l
doubt not it's importance to agriculture
and mining interests of the State, and
to the advancement of science. will fully
Justify an appropriation for its vigor-