Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1864-01-15

sssU0UHa,. AOiDSESs ~ 4
GUY. WILLIAM N. stone
Gentlemen Of Tie Senate and House Of
Representatives,: rpHa E
Assuming the Executive Office ct .
nscmensous period in public STAIRS. I
have taken the oath prescribed by the
Consultation. under . full sense Of the
grave obligations imposed. Profoundly
grateful Cor The contdencs Of generous
and patriotic people. and with humble re-
lance on Him who has guided US
through many trials. ! shall endeavor 70
meet their JUS. expectations by an ear
nest and lauhful discharge Of the duties
assigned me.
Inc duty Of communicating to the
General Assembly the condition Of the
State, IS required BY the Constitution.
and recommending such measures IS
may be deemed expedient. Tor legislative
action. mole properly belongs u the out
going Executive. whUse official connec-
ton with the affairs OF government tor
term VI years has afforded him the ben
EFT Of that Obsei vAtlon and experience
necessary 10 . proper understanding ot
the various measures demanded by the
general welfare.
The recent message Of my predeces-
sor furnishes you the necessary iniorms-
ton concerning The condition aud az
fairs Of The SAte during his official term;
aud II 50 specific IN his lecomme ndations
that need do but little more on this &C.
cxsion than express my concurrence In
the suggestions therein Contained, and
ask Tor .hem your favorable considera-
ton.
Representing, as you do, the different
portions OF the State, and being CONVEX
SAINT with their wants and interests your
aggregaiedinformAlion and join, counsels
will enable you TO perceive and readily
comprehend every material sui ject
which may demand your action. In
our zeal to advance the public interests,
however, we should bear in mind that
multiplicity OF Legislation is neither wise
nor expedient. Innovation is not al ways
reform. Aud experience has abundant
ly demonstrated that the utility of laws,
tos great extent. depends upon their
certainly; and that frequent changes,
IN established rules, are = source Of
great inconvenience, and productive Of
less good than mischief.
The subjects Of finance and revenue,
common schools, m,litis, currency, the
practice OF the courts, and county gov
eminent. are Of primary importance to
the State, and should receive a llbe raj
share OF your attention. But the variou 3
la~snow In force upon these subjects.
have been SO long in operation, and SO
thoroughly tested. that their defects, if
any existed. will be readily perceived.
l would recommend extreme caution in
their considera ion, and advise no
change in any OF them. unless demanded
by obvious utility and sound experience.
From various sourcss. my attention
has been earnestly invited to what, in
the opinion Of many, are cogent reasons
Tor changing our present 70, IN Of Caun-
ty government. The Supervisor system,
created by Act Of the Eighth General
Assembly, has failed to command that
general satisfaction which its advocate
predicted and desired. The objections
urged against it are quite numerous, and
apparently substantial in their charac-
ter. Those who desire q change, ex-
press their preference for the Commits
sioner system, which has prevailed so
long. aud operated successfully. in many
OF the older States. and il, after due in
vesllgation. any change may be deemed
advisable, would recommend this sys-
tenn to your consideration As being The
most practical Of any that could be adopt
ca. cannot assume the responsibility
OF recommending change. for the rea-
son that my observation OF the present
system has been much too limited TO
justify me In entertaining sat,siac ory
opinion rs 10 the soundness OF the OBJ
Jectlons urged again st it, and therefore
commend tue entire subject TO your ear
nest and considerats attention.
Your attention is 10 v,led 10 the expe-
diency Of abollshing the Board Of Edu-
cation, created by Article 8, of the new
Constitution. This b oard, in the ses-
siohs already held. has accomplished
much valuable labor, aud 10 1t are we
manly indebted Tor the frame work OF
our present admirable sylem OF Common
ScLools, hich needs but lil,Ie add,lional
legislation 10 render it sufficiently com
piehensive to meet the demands of our
educational interests Tor many years to
Come. IL Is now thought the period has
arrived when this Board is no longer re-
qa'sd, and that it can be abolished
Without detriment 10 the public service.
The trainers Of the Constitution evident
iy coLttmp lated that sf,er It's labor in
maturing a permanent and satisfactory
sy TEN Vi schools should be completed,
LIS utility AS u separate department
would terminate. ln view OF this con-
ung.ncy, the 18th Section If said article
cohiers upon the General Assembly
the power, after the year 1868. 10 abol
ish Q: e-oryauize the Boar.i, aud IL
provide Tor Tue educational interests oil
the Stale III any other manner that to
them shall seem best anu proper
Should you concur III tue expediency VI
this measure, II will become necesaiy 10
create the Office OF Superintendent o,
puhi,.. l.et,u.ticu IL. .,..t.r Ia. -,