The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1864-01-13

| twill be seen that the main or principal
cause of the difficulty referred to, grew out OF
the effort on. the part of the officers and
agents of the National Government to en-
force upon ourcitizens the military orders OF
4 the President of the United Statesi; orders
deemed necessary by him to crush out and put
down the rebellion. 1t was. claimed or pre-
l tended to be claimed, by those who resisted
or counseledrresista TO the enforcement of
| these orders, that they WEI unconstitutional
and void Happily for us as a nation and
people, we had enjoyed so many years OF
peace, that the questions arising, touching the
powers of the President when the rlationsis in
war, hd been but. little discussed by the
present generation of people, and therefore
were not thoroughly understood by them.--
The Constitution had simply declared that
1.-THE President shall be cemmander-in-chief
of the army and navy of the United States. !"
What commander-in-chief of the army, and
navy of nation might do, or might not do,
when that nation was at war to maintain its
very existence, the trainers of our aConstltu-
! ton wisely omitted TO attempt to define. !
say wisely, for it is not in the province of any
one nation on earth to define the authority OF
| the communicating Of its army and navy;
this is the combiied work of all the civilized
! nations; we must therefore studythe laws of
nations to find out the limit and extent of
/, this officers authority. Thus viewing this
| question, and believing as did, that the sew
eral military orders issued by the President,
or under his authority. which in any way at
| fected oursState or its citizens, were clearly
within his power and discretion, and were
| highly necessary and proper to maintain our
| good government, l most eheerfully gave to
| the duly constituted authorities of the Ma
| tional Government assigned to duty within
our borders my sidsand assistance as Execu-
tive of the State. 1t is extremely, gratifying
| to be able to believe, that in this exercise of
official duty, I have but met the wishes of a
very large majority OF the people of Ohio.
The financial affairs of the State were new
er in better condition. Although we have
advanced, during the past year, forth Cen
! efal Government, In the care of sick and
wounded soldiers, and in the payment of
troops called, out to aid in the capture of Nor
gan and his band, the sum of S153, 3,436,O3,
and have reduced our public debt, by pay
ment from the Treasury, the sum of $685.
! T52 68, there still remained in the Treasury,
| to the credit of General Revenue Fund, on
the 18th of November last, the s1m of $42S, :
| 786 81. -s,taa.,
All taxes have been promptly and cheer
fully paid exhibiting really a smaller delin-
/ quent list than ever before in the history of
! the State The Reports of the Auditor and
| Treasurer of State, which, will be laid upon
your tables. exhibit in full, and in detail, our
! financial condition. ,sssa
ii Under the provisions of the statute, /
caused a thorough special examination of the
| Treasury to be made by the Hon. S. S. Os-
born, of Lake county, highly competent
and suitable man for this duty. His report,
bearing date the 10th day Of June, A. d.
1868, which was duly published according to
law, was highly complimentary to the Treas
urer and his assistants. ,shs ,1isss7sgri z y
| The Reports of the Directors of the sew
eral Benevolent Institutions of the State are
herewith submitted. These institutions are
all inla most prosperous condition; the same
care, and liberality heretofore extended are
recommended. Your attention is particular
ly invited to the Buildings for the accommo-
dation of the Deaf and Dumb. fear that
entire new structures will be found to be nee
essary. The, present main building is lily
adapted to the purpose, is in q dilapidated
condition, and entirely too small to accom-
modate this unfortunate class of the children
of our State. Workshops should also be
provided, so that the boys should have facili-
ties for learning trades. --., .4s,yas3.,5 .t5
The Report of the Directors of the Ohio
Penitentiary herewith, presents that Institll-
ton in highly favorable condition. : The
report of Private Secretary Hoffman here
i with, shows that the number of applications
for pardons during the year ending Noyem-
Der 18th, were 81, Of which Al were granted
80 refused, and IL continued This report
also shows, in brief, the reasons or grounds
/ upon which the several were pardoned. ',s5.l
Upon the application of the military au-
'thorities of the National Government, I re-
quested the Directors and Warden of the
Penitentiary tonreeeive for safekeeping certain
rebel officers, taken in arms against the Gov
| ernment within our State. They were re
ceived on the 9th day of July. A. d. 1868
and the greater portion of them are yet there
confined, j regret to be compelled to an
snounee, however, that, for the want of Prop
leer vigilance on the part of those entrusted
with the custody of these prisoners, the lead
er of the band, the notorious John Morgan
and six others, made their escape. It j.
proper to add, that this negligence arose en-
tirely from a misunderstanding between th,
United States military authorities at this pos
and the officers in charge of the institution
Full particulars, as to the confinement ans
escape of these prisoners, will be found ii
Document No. 6 herewith. ia5b liiW sitis '8sii
b. l had the satisfaction of visiting gduringth,
fall the State Reform Farm, near Lancaster
and take great pleasure in bearing testimon,
to the fidelity and economy of its manage
ment. The institution has proved a profoun,
success, and should receive the fostering car
of the Legislature .. The Reportcof the Act
ing Commissioner and his associates herewith
presented, can not fail to prove highly inter
esting to you. Their several recommenda
tions are approved sffa iits "a
Your attention is invited to the Report o