The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-01-11
GO V E. R N OR S
MESSAGH.
FeNoa0 Citizens Of the Senate
......g- and House of ReDre


The people, with whom is the sole SOW
ereignty of the State, have committed to
you, for the fifth biennial period under the
existing Constitution, the legislative au-
thority of the Commonwealth Upon this
first circular day of the new year you as
sumo the great function thus assigned to
you, and enter upon the performance OF
your important duties.
Powers Of government, delegated by the
people of free States to chosen Represen-
tatives, whether Legislative, Judicial or
Executive are sacred trusts. The people
who honor, by such proofs of confidence,
those whom they select for employment in
public functions, have clear right to ex-
pect from them fidelity, zeal, and unremit
ting diligence in the promotion of the pub
lie good. Having confded, by election,
the powers of government to citizens of
their choice, they return to their respective
avocations trusting confidently that all
public interests and public rights will be
diligently promoted and faithfully guarded,
and that each individual will be fully pro-
tected by equal laws and impartial admin
istration, while contributing,in his sphere,
to the general by private thrift How
weighty the obligation which such conf
dence mnst impose on right minded menl
How deep and earnest the solicitude which
all true hearted representatives must feel,
that neither by>remissness, nor by indiffer-
ence, nor by abuse, the just expectations
af a generous people may be diappoin-
ted.
No extraordinary changes in the con-
Edition of the State have occurred during
the past year. Private and public affairs
have gradually recovered from the de-
pressing effects Of financial revulsior and
official delinquency. Health has invig-
grated and sustained the energies Of indus
try. The labors of the field, though frus
trated in several counties as to important
crops, by the severe ndunusual frosts OF
June, have, nevertheless, been rewarded
by a harvest fully eqTal, in the State at
large, to those of ordinary years. II
mining. manufacturing, and commercial
as we'll as in agricultural pursuits, improv,
ed machinery and processes, augmented
capital, and increased numbers of laborers
have yielded proportionately increased re
turns. Institutions OF Religion, Educa
ton and Charity, whether organized b.
, the voluntary zeal of individuals or .th
, wise providence of the State, have con
f tributed, in full measure, of improvement
, melioration and progress. Solid groath
' substantial prosperity, and social order
g distinguish like the condition of the Stat
: and the people, and demand grateful &C
acknowledgements to the Supreme Dispose
of events, whose blessing alone gives rea
!. value to the results of human labor an
r human wisdom. ~ -t.ss-- .sa
The sixth general valuation of res
j. property has taken place during the pas
o year, and will, naturally, direct your a,
IS tention to our material resources as thu
IS exhibited, and their relations to the gene
y raj condition of the State. H ri
= Ths theory of taxation, settled by th
@ Constitution and sanction by the geners
approval, requires that all property {
d whatever description, shall contribute
il necessary public expenses in exact prt
?, portiont to value The exceptions to tt
d practical application OF the rule, admitte
k by the Constitution and by Law, are
q proper ties belonging to individuals NJ
d exceeding fifty dollars in value, and pr,
J: perties belonging to the counties, II
rs State and the Union, or held and use
g. exclusively under public authority for c,
d ucational, religio Gus and charitable purp
% ses. % aoT los - ,s 81 as -. g,
he In order to give practical, effect to Il
/ Intention of the Constitution. proyisit
las been made by law for periodical va
lie uation. All lands and towE lots whats
st ever, subject to taxation. are required
I'd be valued once in six years; while Ian
II, recently become taxable, being for t
I'd most part lands sold by the Federal Go
K ernment or the State, together with all I
lg cent improvements on lands, ard all M
ne exempt personal property, must be VI
ID ued annually. 3. a,na ,,ss.
ne These appraisements, directed to
ad made at the true value in money, will e
= hibit, if the law be intelligently and fait
) fully executed, the progressive i-crease
diminution of wealth in the State, and
ed each locality, with approximate eorre'
lie ness. s -'-59t21e' s
us Some deductions and some additio
he must be made on account of.that proper
ut which is taxed more than once in differe
I'm forms, and of that which, through t
negligence of assessors, or in spite of th
vigilances will, under every system of ia
Is alton, escape just contribution. Sol
Is additions must also be made to the O
I'm ciai appraisements, on account of the d
is parity which is always found to exist |
rs. tween the average assessment and
q average market value 1t is to be 4
IN membered, also, that valuations must
ad ;th ways be effected necessarily by the gene
to circumstances of the country. In q ii
of extraordinary apparent prosperity a
general expansion, valuations may be t
ne high; in time of revulsion and great {
he preston will almost certainly be too lc