The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1860-01-18

sgement of agriculture, and all useful arts
for the organization and discipline of the mi.
llia /; for the education OF the youth, the
support Of the poor, and the relief Of the af-
ficled /; Of providing for the payment Of the
State debt. and for sacredly preserving the
public faith, and Of enactiug ell other laws.
Tor securing civil rights, and defending the
honor of the State.
For the exercise of these supreme powers
Of the State, the people ever extend gen.
erous confidence to their chosen represen.
tatives.
The Executive forms no part Of the legis.
latiye suthority. He exercises no control
over legislation. His duties are to see that
the laws are faithfully executed, and to re.
commend to the consideration OF the Genera
Assembly, such measures as he may think
ad pied to promote the public welfare.
1t will not be expected OF me-, at this time,
to call your attention to many matters CT
legislation. Let me briefly refer to few
The existing legislation on the subject Of
the fiscal relations OF our Stnte and loca
governments, without requiring radical
change, needs better adjustment Of details.
Our taxes Tor State and Iocal purposes are
very burdens, me, al made more onerous on
account Of the large amount Of taxable pro.
perry that escapes the vigilance OF the asses
sor. The laws should be m0re searching, So
as 10 subject all the non-exempt property, o
whatever description, to it, just proportion OF
the burdens OF taxation.
respectfully suggest the expediency OF
thorough revision of the lswu relating to this
entire eubject, und particularly Of those more
directly tfftcting our local governments, to
the end, not only OF limiting the amount, but
OF better defining the scope and purpose for
vi hich laxes may be levied, to which may be
added the requiring n mure specific publica
tion OF the public sxpt nditures in cur cities
Laws cannot b. too explicit in defining
end enforcing proper accountability OF slI
persons acting In public capnci'y. re
speci ully recommend that as part Of any
law you may ena on this subj 'ct, provisi II
be made ieguating public contracts, to apply
as ", II to local as to Stute ADMINISTRATION.
, The uppropriating public money by a pub.
lie offictr to his private use, should be visited
with the most exemplary punishment i
| snou!d avail nothing in what form it may bt
$ done, whether by means Of Iosning, deposit
$ Ing, or otherwise. The gist Of the Offence
r should be the expectation or hope Of the off
Ger Of receiving a privute benefit from tht
e act. He should be prohibited from tamper
ing with the public funds in any way. ant
restricted in their use to the demands OF thei
s official duties. All perquisites should be de
n MED him. II the salary be inadequate 10 th'
e responsibility or labors Of the particular OF
e 6te, let it be increased to a conapensatory
II m ximum. Leave no pretext for an abus
o of his trust. The sacredness OF private an
public property is the lite ofrepubican form
d oI government, and one of the very highes
It duties of the legislator, is to surround it wit
Il all the necessary safe guards of law.
n The disposition OF the Public Works Of th
J.. State will doubtless attract your attention
}, These Works are no longer self sustaining
e They are an annual charge upon the Treas
o ury. Why this is 60, whether because {
!. radical defects in the laws relating to the
q manaGement-to an unwise system OF tOl
, to the want Of a proper economy in the
r. repairs, or to damaging competition OF Ii
more improved means of transportation,
J will not now inquire.
Q That the question Of The disposition Of ou
e Public Works may receive that careful al
D. tention and revision which the interests il
ic voIved demand, respectfully suggest to yo
ir the passage Of joint resolution authorzr
ID the commission Of three gentlemen Of Ell
o, larged experience and capacity, whose sp'
n. cal duty it shall be to make thorough ar
a. detailed examination OF the entire subjeC
ze and that they report to the Governor, at Il
q earliest practicable period, such Chunges aT
10 Judgment are desirable to lessen the expe
of ses, or to increase the income, so as at lea
i'd to make our canals fully seIfsustaining.
10. II q thorough experience shall demonstrat
x that they cannot be made sell susteinin
ur constant agitation must be expected OF Il
III proposition to sell or lease them, SO as
nd have the State relieved of their support.
he suggest the appointment Of this Cor
mission, because of my apprehension, tn
ur the members OF the Legislature have not Il
ne time, nor the means within their reach, du
Id ing session, with go many demands up'
hs their attention. to give to go complicated al
o important subject, that systematic, detail
e and thorough investigation which the inte
IS, ests involved seem to me to require.
nd Among the topics comm nding the atte
tie ton OF our sister States, and worthy OF yo
lie present consideration, is the measure Of e
ty enlargement which State should hold o
r. to her organized and disciplined mitis.'
"a The last two General Assemblies enact
laws and directed the preparation Of regul
es, tons in order to perfect the frame work
ge the State militia organization, and develop
it symmetrical and we'll ordered system, whi,
he has been go far realized, a. to leave little
as be done but for YOU to determine, in yo