Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-01-05

ne result is UIaC, Ullucr OTulnaTy clTcUlil-
stances, with all your honors thrown in,
your corporations have the choice of men
of business talent and integrity.
have been, for the last fifteen years, in
position where | was enabled to, and have
thoroughly tested this principle; and my
unvarying experience has been that there
was no economy so poor as that of low wages
and cheap men. | have always found that
when Imade my service attractive, and its
positions valuable, | commanded class of
men whose skill, devotion and integrity re-
turned four-fold the liberal compensation
allowed them. What is true of corpora
ton is true of a State; and we will do well
to thy the lessons that our corpora
tions are affording us.
Apart from the considerations of public
policy, the character of State i3 always
injuriously affected by the manifestation of
spirit of illiberality and Injustice toward
its servants. In population and wealth
Ohio ranks as the third State in the Union,
yet, in point of compensation to her public
officers, she stanB almost at the foot of the
list. beg leave to present you compari-
son with the two States above, and several
below our class; taking the Office of Cover
nor, which holds relative position to all
others:
Now York. .........$iOO 900 90, and furnished house.
pennsylvania. ...... 1000 10, e
OhlO................. lFOO on
Indiana. ....,..... 5000 90, and furnished house,
Massachusetts. $500 co. in 1866, s. 900 90.
New Jersey.......... 5000 90
Maryland ........... 5000 10, and furnished house.
The comparison is about the same with
Judicial, and all other State officers. In
scanning it we must either charge our sister
States with gross extravaganza, or admit
our own illberality and injustice.
The labors of all our Departmentsare not
only much heavier on account of the war,
but they arc constantly increasing, in the
natural order of things. speak from per-
sonal knowledge when | say that the labors
and responsibilities of the State Auditors
department are two if not three-fold what
they were when filled that position, twen-
ty years ago; while the salary-then very
lows increased only thirty three per
cent. While the Treasury then received
and dsbursed from two and one-half to
three millions annually, the Treasurer now
passes through his hands from eight to nine
millions of dollars; and the salary of that
Office has been increased twenty five per
cent. All the gain that has been made by
this process of economy, does not amount
to "A respectable fraction of mill on the
dollar of your duplicate; and has been
several times squandered in legislative de-
bates and action upon the subject of econo-
my in the reduction of salaries.
This topic is not a pleasant one to present; !;
but have telt that could consistently and
properly speak of it; for, so far as my own
wishes or aspirations in the future are con-
cerned, have not the slightest pecunary
interest in it. / feel that justice to public
officers, and the character and dignity of the
State, require the Inauguration of more
liberal policy in this particular. think it
should be done. as to the officers elected
this fall, while you have the power to ac-
complish it, before they assume their official
positions. L am confident the people will
approve the act, for they will see the reason
and appreciate the Justice of it.
MILITARY CLAIMS.
There are great many claims, growing
out of military operations, that require
some action. They originate from various
causes, and are of n character not recog-
nized or provided Tor by existing laws. and
cannot, therefore, be audited by the officers
of the general government. 1t is difficult
to draw the proper line of distinction, and
yet many of them are serious grievances,
and inilict severe injury upon the COM
planning parties. Among them are claims
for damages sustained in the vicinity of
camps of rendezvous of the National Guard,
while organizing for service, and after re-
turning therefrom; and also claims for SER
vices and transportation under the draft of
1862. 1t occurs to me that certain class of
these claims, coming within proper general
rules to be established, must necessarily be
adjusted and assumed by the State, looking
to the general government to refund the
amount hereafter. If that fails, and the
Government refuses to recognize them, it
is more equitable in cases where the claims
are honest and meritorious, that the whole
people of the State should bear them, than
few individuals should suffer the loss.
We have had, for two years past, Board
of Claims, but it has been restricted as to
the class of cases within its jurisdiction,
and its labors devolved upon State officers
not connected with the military depart
ments, and whose proper official duties en-
gross their entire time and attention.
suggest that n permanent board be created,
consisting of the Adjutant-General, Quar-
termaster- General and Attorney General,
with complete jurisdiction of all claims
arising out of military operations not i'm
mediately connected with Government SER
vice. That this board be required to hold
at least monthly meetings; that it be en-
powered to take testimony when necessary,
as to the justice or reasonableness of the
claims with the penalty of perjury attach
ed to false swearing before it. That the
Board make monthly reports to the Gov
ernor and Auditor; and its allowances be
paid, within the limits of appropriations
made, from time to time, by the Legisla-
ture. This amount of confidence can cer-
tainly be reposed in this body of State Off
GERS; and they can more carefully and safe
ly pass upon these claims than committees
or members of your bodies, under the press
ure of legislative duties. Unless somepro-
vision of this character is made, they will
press upon you in the form of petitions, and
demand legislative action.
REGIMENTAL FLAGS.
A large number of the Ohio regiments
have presented their old battle flags to
the State. These are part of our
history. They constitute an important
portion of the record of the patriotism,
devotion and sacrifice of our peo-
tense of our common country; and as such
ably cherished. The Adiutant-G General
presents list of them, and suggests their
deposit in the vacant panels of the rotun-
da of the capitol building. No better ar
rangement occurs to me; and IL you con.
cur in it, recommend sufficient appro-
priation for the purpose, to be expended
under the direction of that officer.
RELIEF LAW.
AS apprehended would be the case, the
fund for the relief of the families of soldiers
and marines has proved inadequate to meet
the wants of this meritorious class of per-
sons: owing i'm part to the insufflciency of
the tax, but mainly to the largely increased