The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1864-01-28

Gentlemen of the Senate.
and House Of Representatives.
Assuming the Executive Office at mo.
mentous period in public affairs, have t.
ken the oath prescribed by tho Constitu-
tion. under full sense Of the grave obi
cations imp,s Profoundly grateful for
the confidence Of generous and patriotic
people, and with humble reliance on Him
who has guided us through mary trials.
shall endeavor to meet their just expecta-
tons by IN earnest and faithful discharge
Of the duties assigned me.
The duty Of communicating tn the Gen.
erai Assembly the condition Of the State,
~ required by the Constitution, and re-
commencing such measures a. may be
deemed expcdient, for legislative action,
more properly belongs to the outgoing
Executive. whose official connection with
tho affairs Of government, for q number Of
ycare, has aff:ricd him the benefit Of that
observation end experience necessary to a
proper understanding Of the various meas
nras demanded by the general welfare.
Tho recent message Of INV prede cessor,
furnishes yon tho necessary information.
c"nceEring tho condition and affairs of
the State, during his official term, and il
20 Specific in tie recommendations, that
need 4, but little more. on this occasion.
than ex.ress my concurrence in the sug.
g"stions therein contained. and ask for
them your favorable consideration.
Representing ~ you do. the different
portions Of the State, and being conversant
with their wants aud interests, your aggre-
gase information and joint counsels will
enable you to perceive, and readily COM
prchend. every material subject which
may demand your action In our zeal 10
advance the public interest, however, we
should bear in mind that multiplicity Of
Legislation is neither wiSe nor cxpe.lient.-
Innovation ia not always reform. And ex-
periencc has abuniantly demonstrated that
the utility Of lava. to great extent. de-
ponds upon their certainty and that fire.
quent changes, in established rules, are
source Of great inconvenience aud produce
1--WE Of less good than mischief
Tho subject Of finance and revenue, CON-
m'n 4ssho'ls. malitia, currency, the p,ac-
tice Of courts, anil county goverhment.
are II primary Importance to the State.
anil should receive liberal share of your
attention. But the various laws now In
force upon these subjects have been 40
long in operation. and 40 thoroughly tes-
ted. that their defects IL any exist, will be
readily t%srceived. I would recommen
extreme caution in their consideration,
and sdvise no change in any Of them, m
less demanded by obvious utility and
sonnd experience.
From various sources my stteDtipp has
been earnestly invited to what. in the orin-
ion Of many, aro cogent reasons for
changing our present form Of county gov
ernmcnt. The Supervisor system, crea-
ted by act Of tho Eighth General Assem-
blv, has failed to cnm,nar d that general
satisfaction which It's advocates predicted
and deared. The objections urged against
Il are quite numeroas. and apparently, sub
stantiai !, their character. Those who de.
sire .. change, express their preference
for the Commissioner system, which has
prevailed so long and operated successfully
in many Of the older States. and II. sfter
dns investigation, any change may be
deemed advisable. would recommend
ulis aystem to your consideration. as be
ing the most practical and simple, of any
that could be adopted. I cannot assume
the responsibility Of recommending .
change; for the reason that my observa.
&ion of tho present system has been mnch
TOO limited to justify me in entertaining .
satisfactory opinioa as to the soundness
Sf the objections urged aeainst it, and I
therefore commend the entire subject to
your earnest and confederate atteatien.
Yo-r attention IL invited to the expedi-
ency of abolishing the Board Of Education.
created by Article Q, Of the new Constitu-
zion. This Board. in the sessions already
held. has accomplished much valuable IA
nor. and to It are we mainly indebted for
the frame werk of our present admirable
system of commea schools, which needs
hat little aaitliionaa legislation to render II
sufficiently comprehensive to meet the de-
rnands Of oar educational interests for
xnany years to come. Il is now thought
khe period has arrived when this Board is
m longer required, and that Il can be abol-
ished without detrimeut to the public ser.
vics. The trainers Of the Constitution es-
identity contemplated that aftsr its iabos
in maturing permanent and satisfactory
system OF schools should be completed
its utility, as . separate department, would
terminate. In view Of this contingency
the 18th Section OF said Article con!ers
upon the General Assembly the power
after the yesr 1888, to abolish or rs-organ
ize the Board, to provide for the education
al interests of the State in any other man
ner that to them should seem best and prop
es. Should you concur in the expediency
Of this measure, it will become pecessMy b