The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1861-01-18
VOLUME XII. NO. 8.
[ContinNed from first PAGE.

ms large portion Ct thlS VaIue IN the
canal counties has arisen from the exist.
enee Of the canals, so their destruction
would seriously deprecate the same, aud
the basis Of taxation being correspondingly
lessehed, the burdens of the public debt
and the ordinary expenses OF the govern.
ment would thus be proportonally in
creased upon the remaining properly OF
the State. Whether a sale can be made
on such terms MS will secure 20 the people
the full use Of these public works is a
question which addresses itself 20 the
careful consideration OF the General AS.
sembly.
The report Of the Board Of Public
Works and the Auditor OF State contain
many facts connected with this subject
that will aid in your investigations. So
large an interest, involving so important
questions Of pubic policy, aud such vast
pecuniary results should not be disposed
Of without the maturest consideration
After giving the subject my earnest atten-
ton, am constrained to repeat my
former recommendation, and suggest the
passage Of joint resolution authorizing
the commission OF three gentlemen OF
large experience and capacity, whose
special duty it shall be TO make detailed
examination OF The entire subject, and to
report 10 the Governor at the earliest
practicable period, such changes and mod
ificatons in our canal laws, as in their
judgment may be desirable, TO lessen the
expenses, or to augment the income SO us
at least, TO make the canals selfsustaining
l invite your special attention to the
Report OF the Adjutant General The
subject of our State militia should not fll
place IN an Executive Message merely
because the Constitution enjons upon the
General Assembly the necessary legisla-
tion to render il effective. 1t demands a
more considera,e attention. The Report
referred to presents clear and practical
outline OF the system established by law
and regulations, the burdens under which
j! struggles, and the necessity of legisla-
live action in lis behalf
The organized militia Of the State mum
bers at present little less than twelve
hundred men. These are uniformed, +,
armed and equipped, and are for the most
part in commendable state of discipline.
drafted for military duty in the event of
insurrection or invasion, amounted, in
1859, 10 260,00U men; and the entire
disposable force of the State, at the pres.
ent time, is about $685. 900 able bodied
men.
The Constitution requires the enroll
men. Of all white citizens, residents Of
this State, being l8 years Of age and
under As years Of in The militia. The
law of March 81, 1857, provided for such
enrolment ; but so much of it.as relates
20 that subject has been repealed. |
recommend the revival Of the repealed
sections. The present militia system. |
am advised has received the favorable
notice Of officers Of the army, and military
men OF other States /; but no system can
work successfully unalded By the State
The experiment. wherever tried has failed
The citizen soldier IS necessarily sub.
jected to continual expense. By existing
laws the State shares no part of the bur
den in maintaining our present militia
system. The bill which passed one
branch Of the General Assembly at its las,
session, proposing an allo vance to each
well disciplined company, of certain
annual sum for the care ard keeping Of
the public arms, is in the right direction
But submit, with great Difference
whether the basis Of that bill should moi
be enlarged, both as regards the sum tc
be appropriated 10 each company, and the
number Of the uniformed militia to be
aided. Certain it is, that two thousand
OF a militia-the estimate upon which tn,
sum in that bill is based-is number
greatly disproporlioned TO the extent ant
population OF The Stale.
By the theory Of our government III,
general defense is entrusted to the militia
1t is your duty TO determine to what ex
tent that theory shall be practically OBJ
served in Ohio. A majority OF the States
have made liberal provision for the sup
port OF their militia.
While it would be unwise TO burden tht
people with taxes for large military ap
preparations in time OF peace, it would be
equally unwise 10 disregard the sacrifices
and burdens of those who have under.
taken the duties and responsibilities Of the
service, and the practical purpose Of q
military organization. An effective mill
tia is one OF the most reliable pledges oI
continued peace. The ability Of the State
TO summon her citizens TO support hel
peace when threatened, or her laws wher
violated, is silent but impressive guar
anty of their perpetuity and supremacy.
1t appears that the State has received
S4,962 muskets and rifles, and has bu
about 5000 at her present command
or 1889 cavalry pistols. but 1879 re
main. OF 272 revolvers about 30 are re.
coverab.e. OF 46 brass cannon more
than three fourths were useless, or dan
gerous, for service. from neglect or bat
usage, until the Quarter Master Genera
restored them TO serviceable condition.
The same proportion Of loss and depre
citation runs through the whole list of arms
received from the United States, the origi
nal cost of which was S920,203.
While the present system Of the issue
and care OF the public arms prevents I
similar result for the future, it is for thu
General Assembly 10 determine whethe
the supply now owned by the State is ad
equate to her wants. Other States, ,unde