Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1864-01-28
4oltitaI.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
GOVERNOR STONE.

GOVERNOR STONE.
Gentlemen Of the Senate and House OF
Representatives.
Assuming the Executive office, at a
momentous period in public affairs,
have taken the oath prescribed by the
Constitution, under full sense of the
great obligations imposed. Profound
ly grateful for the confidence Of gen.
erous and patriotic people, and with
humble reliance on Him who has guild
ed us through many trials, shall en-.
deavor 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 required by the Consti.
tuition, and recommending such meas
ures as may be deemed expedient, for
Legislative action, more properly be.
longs to the outgoing Executive
whose official connection with the af.
fairs of government, for a term of
years, has afforded him the benefit of
that observation and experience, nee
essary to proper understanding of
the various measures demanded by
the general welfare. "..'
The recent message Of my prede-
cessor furnishes you the necessary in
formation, concerning the condition
and affairs Of the State, during his
official term and is so specified in its
recommendations that | need do but
little more, on this occasion, than ex.
press my concurrence in the sugges-
tions therein contained, and ask for
them favorable consideration.
Representing, as you do, the differ
ent portions of the State, and being
conversant with their wants and in
terests, your aggregated information,
and joint counsels. will enable you to
perceive, and readily comprehend,
every material subject which may de-
mand your action. In our zeal to ad-
vance the public interests, however,
we should bear in mind, that multi.
plicity Of Legislation. is neither wise
nor expedient. Innovation is not al
ways reform. And experience has
abundantly demonstrated, that the
utility of laws, to great extent, de-
pends upon their certainty and that
frequent changes, in esta hlished rules,
are source of great Inconvenience,
and productive of less good than mis-.
chief.
The subjects of finance and reve,
nue., common schools, militia, curren.
cy, the practice of the courts, and
county government, arc of primary
Importance to the State, and should re-
ceive liberal share of your attention
But the various laws now in force up
on these subjects, have been so long
in operation, and SO thoroughly test
ed, that their defects, if 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 opinion of many, are cogenI
reasons for changing our presen,
form Of County government. The Su
pervisor system, created by Act OF ths
Eighth General Assembly, has failet
to command that general satisfaction
which its advocates predicted and de
sired. The objections urged agains
it are quite numerous, and apparent.
ly, substantial in their character
Those who desire change, express
their preference for tue COMMISSIONS
system, which has prevailed 80 long
and operated successfully, in many o
the older States, and II, after due in
yestigation, any change may b
deemed advisable, / would recon
mend this system to your considera
ton, as being the most simple, an,
practical, of any that could be adopt
ed. | carnot assume the responsible
Ity of recommending change /; 70
the reason that my observation Of th'
present system, has been much to-
I limited to justify me in entertaining
q satisfactory opinion as to the sound
ness of the objections urged agains
lit, and therefore commend the entir
|, subject to your earnest and consider
ate attention.
Your attention is invited to the eS
pediency Of abolishing the Board Q
Education, created by Article . Of th
new Constitution. This Board, in tn
sessions already held, has accomplish
ed much valuable labor, and to it ar