The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1865-01-18

t ''the agent of the State, as herein prov
, ded, shall be appointed by the Geverne
of the State, on the Recommendation, i
writing, of a majority of the Board Q
said Commissioners Of the Sinking Fund
for the term of two years, and may be ell
igible to re-apPointment." La May 1862
Addison P Russell was duly reeo IA mend
ed by the Fund Com nnissieners, and ap
pointed by the Governor for the term Q
two years frem July 10th, 1862. On tn.
9th Of May, 1864, the Secretary Of Stat.
and Attorney General, as Sinking Fant
Comm listeners, recommended the ap.
psintmeat of Jehn NJ Armstrong as State
Agent for the term Of TIVE years, from tn,
expiration Of Mr. RusselFs off cial term
My own construction of the statute was
that as Mr.. Russell had been duly recO m
'aandes and appointed in 1862, he wa,
'eligible to re-apPointme by the Gsv-
ernor witheut any further or additional
reeomweaaatisn by the Commissioners
Ne other man could have been appointed
by the Governor alsne; but Mr.. Russell
was unquestisnably eligible" thereto,
and his eligibility consisted in his prisr
Recommendation and sppei.tnent. The
statute clearly intends this, or that pre-
vision has ne meaning whatever.
On the 7th of Jane, l addressed note
to the Secretary of State and Attorney
General, asking them to inforn me
"whethsr there is in your Board, or with
the nembe thereof, asy Information or
charges Of misfeasance or nalfeasance in
ethcs against the present incumbent in
that af hilifu
lntegrity en- his part, which renders it the
duty of the public sfficerE, in the proteo-
tion Of the laterests of the State, to su-
persede him: or which impairs his 'eli-
gibiiity to re-apPeintment.' On the
10th of June, these geatlenen reply at
some length, treating my inquiry as fer
eign to the subject, but Indirectly admit
tsg that they have. no charges to make
against the sfficial character or integrity
of Mr.. Russell. On. the Goth presented
to the Secretary Of State and Attorney
General, my views and construction of the
law, and notified them that l had Gre
appointed" Mr.. Russell State Agent in
the city of New York, for the term of
two years frsm Jsly 10th, 1864 On the
23d sf June (Which, owing te my absence
from the city, did not reach me until the
9th of July), these gentlemen reply at
some length, notifying nae that they dis
pute my right ts make this appointment;
that they will resist Mr.. Russell's author
ity, and refuse ts acknowledge any of his
eAicial acts I present y Gu the entire cor
respohdenee The final communication
of the Commissioners dsss net display
the most perfect amiakility of temper; bat
as it was mainly devoted to political top.
les, that could be more ssefully and prop
crly discussed elsewhere, / allowed it
to re main as the sslast word of the Off
cial correspondents.
On the 10Th of July the Secretary and
A Attorney-Gencral, as commissioners, pub
iishsa in one or mere of the papers Of the
City of New York notice of which l
append copy to the correspondence
repudiating Dir. Russell as the agent of
the State, and declaring that "ne acts of
his will be recsgnizsd by the Board of
Fund Commissioners" Holders of stock
were put to considerable expense. trouble
and delay BY this "arbitrary and illegal
act of the commissioners. Whether the
credit sr character Of the State were ma
terially affected by it, l am net able to
say This spirit of hostility to Mr. Rus
sell has been continued to the present
time; and among other manifestations Of
his compensation, as the commissioners
inform you, has been withheld fren him.
The payment of this will probably re-
qnire the special action of the Legisla-
turs; and L respectfully recommend it to
your early attention. The radical change
made ia the Board of Commissioners at
the recent election will probably obviate
any further difficulty in this particular.
The mode of making this appointment mt
and of changing the agent is somewhat
anomalous in its character. 1t is open to
serious objections, net the least Of which
is TIE conflict that may at any time arise
under it. I suggest that it be changed,
so as to vest the appointing power in the
Governor, with the advise and consent OF
l4he Senate. The officer skeuld be, sub
ject to removal by the Governor, upon
charges preferred against him by the csm-
misslpners, if, spen investisatisn,. these
charges are found to be just and reason
able It is claimed the commissioners are
to ssme extent,responsibls for this agent
and should have voice in designating
him. They have no more responsibility
for his sfficial acts, affecting the State
fnances, than has the Governor, or q ma
jority of the Senate, who must pass upsr
his appointment The mode here pro
posed gives mach better distributisn o
responsibility, and safer check, than the
present enactment; and its influence upor
Gar State character and credit wihy in ny
Judgment, be Of a beneficial character.
AGRICULTURAL LAND GRANT
BY enactment iast winter you accepted
the grant Of land for agricultural educa
ten, made by act Of Congress, approved
July 2, 1862; Of which l early notifies
the Interior Department at Washington
The whele correspondence relating to tai
subject is app.nded; frem whichait vii
be seen that the quantity Of gesd land il
the State subject to entry and apprepria
ton, under this grant was So small (onl,
80 acres1 that had ne discretion but t
elect ts receive the amount in land serir
Accordingly, en- the nth of Septe be
the commissioner forwarded ate me thre
thousana pine huptlred and thirty-seye