Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1864-01-29
GOV. STONES
inaugural Address.
Gentlemen Of the Senate
unR Hmm nt' T,,,,r.n,,. . -.

and H0uSe Of Representatives
Assuming the Executive Office, at a mo-
mentuus period in public affairs, have taken
the oath prescribed by the Constitution under
a full sense Of the grave obligations imposed.
Profoundly grateful for the confidence of
generous and patriotic people, and with hum.
bic reliance on Him who has guided US thro'
many trials, shall endeavor to meet their
just expectations, by an earnest and faithful
discharge of the duties assigned me.
The duty Of communicating to the General
Assembly the condition of the State, as re-.
quired by the Constitution, and recommend
ing such measures as may be deemed expe-
dent, for legislative action, more properly
belongs to the out going Executive, whese
official connection with the affairs of govern
mcnt, for term of years, has afforded him
the benefit of that observation and experience
necessary to proper understanding Of the
various measures demanded by The general
welfare
The recent message of my predecessor
furnishes you the necessary information,
concerning tho condition and affairs of the
State, during his official term and is so spe.
citic in its recommendations that I need do
but little more, on this occasion, than express
my concurrence in tho suggestions therein
contained, and ask for them your favorable
consideration.
Representing, as you do, the different Dor.
tons of the State, and being conyersant will,
their wantsshn interests, your aggregated
information, and joint counscls, will enable
you TO perceive, and readily comprehend.
every material subject which may demand
your action. In our zeal to advance the pub.
lie interests, however, we should bear in mind
that multiplicity of legislation, is neither wise
nor expedleht. Innovation is not always re-
form. And experience has abuudantly dem.
onstratcd, that the utility Of laws, to a great
extent, depends upon their certainty; and
that frequent changes, in established rules,
are source of great Inconvenience, and pro-
ductive of less good than mischief.
The subjects of finance and revenue, com
mon schools, militia, currency, the practice
of the courts, and county government, are of
primary Importance to the State, and should
receive liberal share of your attention.
but the various laws now in force upon these
subjects, have been so long in operation, and
so thoroughly tested, that their defects, if any
exist, will be readily perceived. Iwould rec
ommend extreme caution in their considera-
ton, 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 oi many, are cogent reasons for changing
our present form of County goyernmant-
The Supervisor system, created by Act of the
Eighth General Assembly, has failed to com
mand that general satisfaction which its ad-
vocates predicted and desired. The cbicc.
tons urged against it are quite numerous,
and, apparently, substantial in their charac,
ter. Those who desire change, express their
preference for the Commissioner system.
which has Prevailed so long, and operated
successfully, in many Of the older States, and
If, after duo investigation, any change may
be deemed advisable, | would recommend
this system to your consideration, as being
the most simple, and practical, Of any that
could be adopted. | cannot assume the re-
sp0nsblIity OF recommending n change; for
the reason, that my observation Of the pres
cnt system, has been much too limited to
justify me in entertaining satisfactory opin
ion as to the soundness OF the objections
urged against it, ard | therefore commend
the entire subject to your earn est and consid-
crate attention.
Your attention is invited to the eypcdicncy
Of abolishing the Board Of Education, created
by Article ., Of the new Constitution. This
Board, in the sessions already held, has ac
comphshcd much valuable labor, and to IL
arc we mainly indebted for the frame work Of
our present admirable system cf Common
Schools which nee,is but little additional leg
isiaton, to render it sufficiently comprehen-
sive to meet the demands of our educational
interests for many years to come. 1t is now
thought the period has arrived, when this
Board is no longer required; and, that it can
be abolished without detriment to the public
service. The trainers Of the Constitution
evidently contemplated, that after its labor,
III maturing a permanent and satisfactory
system of schools, should be completed. its
utility, as separate department, would ter.
inmate. In view of this contingency, the
18th Section Of said Article, confers upon the
General Assembly the power, after the wear
1858, to abolish or re organize the Board, and
to provide for the educational interests of the
State, III any other manner that to them shall
seem best and proper. Should you concur
in tho expediency Of this measure, it will
become necessary to create the office of Su-
perintendcnt of Public Instruction, in order
that the important duties now deyoving upon
the Secretary of the Board, may be transfer
red to and performed by an appropriate off
Ger.
desire to invoke the earnest attention Of
the General Assembly, to the necessity of
additional means for support no
the families Of the deserving men who are
absent, in the public service MANY OF th,s.
men, IN limited circumstances when they
volunteered, have no means Of supporting
their families. except the scanty wages re.
ceiyed from the Government obviously in
adequate, under The present high rates Of
living, to Ipropcrly maintain soldier, and
meet the legitimate wants of his family.
| am aware that, at the Special Session of
The General Assembly, in 1861, an Act was
passed empowering the Boards of Superyis-
DIS to appropriate money out Of the County
Treasures for the support Of soldiers fami-
les within their respective counties. But I
'egrct the necessity which compels me to
say, that this highly commendable and patri
'tic enactment, has signally failed to accom-
olsh the object intended In counties where
! majority Of the Supervisors are friendly to
he Union, and the prosecution Of the war,
his relief has been furnished to a liberal ex.
ent; but in many others, where that major
ty is with the opposite party, they have
,ersistently refused to appropriate a single |
io!lar to this humane and Christian purpose. |
In considering the question, we should not
onfine ourselves to the theory adopted by |
ome, that this is mere county matter, and, |
therefore,, not the appropriate subject of State !
ction. From whatever county the man en-
ers the seryica, he becomes soldier Of the !
'tate, fighting for one county as well as an.
ther, and has an equal claim upon the gen
rosity and gratitude Of all our people. In
he absence Of an adequate law, providing
elief for these meritorious families, out Of
he public revenue. these burthens, necessa-
lily, fall upon few liberal and patriotic
Individuals in each community. This is !
learly yyronn md rhonld NOT ho no-r,;,toJ |