The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-01-16
'tEuGunAl ADDRESS
Ge,ltfer.ea. Of Tie Senate
and Hoas, Of Representatives.

and Ious, Of Representatives
Assuming the Executive office, Al . mo
nentous period in public affairs, l have
taken the oath prescribed by the Consttu-
ton, under !. full sense 0. the grave ohliga-
tons imposed. Profoundly grateful for
the confidence OF & generous and PATRIOTS
people, and with humble reliance on Him
who has guided lis through many trials, /
shall endeavor to meet their lust eNpecta-
tons by an earnest ana faithful discharge
OF The duties assigned me.
The duty of communicating to the Gen
erai Assembly the condition OF the state,
as required bv the Constitution, and re-
commencing such measures as may he
deemed expedient for legislative action,
more properly belongs to the outgoing
Executive, whose official connection with
the affairs Of Government, Tor term OF
wears. has afforded him the benefit of that
observation and experience necessary to a
proper understanding OF the various meas
ureS demanded by the general welfare.
The recent message 81 my predecessor
| furnishes you the necessary information
concerning the condition and affairs Of the
State. during his official term; and is sc
specific III its recommendations that need
TO do bat little more on this occas son tnan
10 express my concurrence i'll the sugges-
tons therein contained, and ask for them
your favorable consideration.
=.
portions of the State, and being CONVEX
SAINT with their wants and interests, your
aggregated information, and Joint counse!s
VIII enable you TO perceive ana readily
comprehend every material subject which
may demand your action. In our zeai q
advance the public interests, however, We
should bear in mind, that multiplicity Of
legislation is neither wise nor eNpedient.-
Innovation is not always reform. And ex-
perience has abundantly demonstrated,
that the utility of laws, TO n great extent,
depends upon their certainty and that fire.
auent changes, in established rules, are a
source OF great Inconvenience. and produc-
tive of less good than mischief.
The subjects of finance and revenue,
common schools, militia, currency, the
practice OF the courts, and county govern
fnent, are OF primary Importance to the
State, and should receive a liberal share OF
your attention. But the various laws now
in force upon these subjects, have been So
| long in operation, and 50 thoroughly test
ed, that their defects. II any exist. Will be
readily perceived. | would recommend
extreme caution in their consideration and
advise no change in any of them, unless
demanded by obvious utility and sound
experience.
| From various sources, my attention has
been earnestly invited to what in the opin-
| ion Of many, are cogent reasons for chang
ment The Supervisor system, created by
] Act of the Eighth General Assembly, has
failed to command that general satisfaction
which its advocates predicted and desired
The objections urged against it are quite
numerous, and, apparently, substantial in
| their character. Those who desire change
express their preference for the Commits
sioner system, which has prevailed so long
and operated successfully in many Of the
older States, and if, after due investigation
any change may be deemed advisable,
would recommend this system to your con-
sideration as being the most simple and
practical of any that could be adopted.
| cannot assume the responsibility of re-
commencing a change for the reason that
my observation Of the present system, has
been much too limited TO justify ME in en-
pertaining a satisfactory opinion as to the
soundness of the objections urged against
| it, and therefore commend the entire sub
| tect to your earnest and considerable atten-
ton.
| Your attention is invited to the expedi-
ency Of abolishing the Board Of Education,
created by Article 9th of the new COnsti-
tuition. This Board, in sessions already
held, has accomplished much valuable la
| Dor, and to it are we mainly indebted for
| the frame work of our present admirable
system Of Common Schools, which needs
but little additic nal legislation, to render it
sufficiently comprehensive TO meet the de-
mands Of our educational interests for ma
ny years to come. 1t is now thought that
the period has arrived when this Board is
no longer required; and, that it can be
abolished without detriment TO the pub
| lie service. The trainers Of the
Constitution evidently contemplated, that
after its labor, IN maturing Il permanent
and satisfactory system OF schools should
be completed. its utility as Q separate de-
partment, would terminate. In view of
This contingency, the l5lh Section of said
Article confers upon the General Assem-
bly, the power, after the year 1863, to aooi-
ish or re-organi2e the Board, and to pro
vide for the educational interests of the
State, in any other manner that % them
shall seem best and proper. Should you
concnr IN the expe0epcy Of this measure,
it viii be necessary 70 create the office Of
Superintendent OF Public Instruction, in
order tina. the important dn,ies no. ie-
volving upon tho Secretary OF the Board,