Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-01-02


are therein shown to be most encouraging
indeed. II any systematic effort is to be
made, TO recover and retain Ohio's proper
share Of the Immigration, think itwould
be Q most judicious investment Of money
and labor, for the General Assembly to
cause to be prepared and circulated in
Europe and elsewhere an abstract of some
Of these tables and comments (with other
ike matter.D
4 especially denote, for your considera-
ti6n, the Auditors remarks and recon-
mendations upon the retrenchment of SUI
perhuous and half-paid officers; the absurd
tiles Of parts of the tax laws, inclusive of
his proposition of an apprsisement system,
which will only cost as many thousands Of
dollars, as our present plan does hundreds
of thousands, and 90 It, too, with more
equality and Observation-Disclosures Conn
panies-the public and domestic debt--the
volunteer relief fund, its reduction and
final, gradual, extinguishment-th Long
view Asylum imbrogllo, and the rate Of in
terest. .''.' 'h "'-.' ''-'
.,.I.l II TREASURER OF STATE. ,,.
Upon the creation of the vacancy in the
Office of the Treasurer of State hereinafter
more particularly set forth), appointed in
the place of Goodwin V, Dorsey, removed,
Mr.. William Hooper, q leading merchant
and distinguished 1lnancier Of Cincinnati
He having most generously accepted this
appointment lin sole consideration of the
extreme exigency in which this difficulty
had placed the finances and credit of the
State), he was duly qualified, and entered
upon the duties of the office, upon Septem-
Der %, 1865. .eg.ls 80. ,u-8 l.'I .sr.
This conduct of this gentleman deserves
and, trust, will long receive the grateful
iof.kn m ula nnf hxy oil 81
citizens of the State. IL was really verv
great favor to the State and all its people.
There are few men, If any, in Ohio (having
the proper qualifications for such an Office
lin its then circumstances great trust
and with the rank and character equal to
the furnishing the security requred) who
would have relinquished their own private
affairs and pleasures, to accept these heavy
duties and responsibilities for time so
brief and honors so doubtful. ".H.
In making this appointment, my purpose
was three-fold: not only desired to OBJ
tain an officer, eminently fitted by his abil-
ities and experience to perform its strictly
official duties, but person whose qualities
and good name would quiet the public ap-
prehensions as to the safety OF the States
treasure; also desired in him those quail
tications which would enable him to care
utes in force and either to codify them, if
necessary, to make such suggestions of
amendment as might so occur to him. You
have his report, and beg leave to COM
mend it to your consideration with the re-
mark, that the opinions of such an officer
are always worthy of great respect, and
that the special amendments, which he in
dieates, seem to be most judicious. l am
pleased to have his opinion that the law is
so generally good as to need but slight
amendment. Changes in laws should
never be made except for weighty rea-
sons.
BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS.
In addition to the facts already presented
and interable from the foregoing state
ments in regard to the finances of these in
stitutions, think il useful to make some
general observations upon them. In the
first place, being OF the fixed and clear
opinion, that it Is the serious duty of all of
us, in the State and nation, at this time, to
come promptly and severely down from
war to peace, and from war prices and eX-
penditnres to the simplest and plainest
economy, compatible with peace and with
the heavy burdens of war debt, which
peace must always bear. Retrenchment,
so often pretext of demagogues has be-
come with us (if we would protect our in
terests, or maintain our honor) an imper-
alive, overwhelming necessity. Notwith
standing this truth, however, my judgment
and feeling unite In the conclusion, that
the last places in which we ought to econ
omize In this stfictness and severity are ia
these asylums and schools for the unfortun-
ate of our kind and country. We must, on
no account, starve or stint the insane, the
idiotic the blind, the deaf and dumb, or
the impoverished, maimed, invalid soldier,
who has spent his substance, shed his blood,
or wasted his health, to save us all from
ruin. Upon the other hand. again, the
very principle and spirit of this advice de-
mands that our benevolent purposes and
appropriations should actually reach their
objects, and ought not to be taken advan-
tage of and misapplied to other uses, or to
the unjust emolument of their agents; and
in the exact proportion that the State,
amidst these present circumstances of her
finances, shall be bountiful to the benetici-
aries of these funds, ought 1t sternly to ex-
act of its officers, the more strictly faithful
economy and integrity in their due appli-
cation OF them. do not know that there
is 10 these reports, any evidence of partic-
ular looseness of action, or of accounting,
by these officers. But the occasion is such
the highness of our prices, the scale of our
expenditures, the irregularities arising
from these conditions aud from the heed
less public opinion in regard to them-all
adm0nish us ef the wisdom, nay,the ne
cessity of our making this happy change
from warato peace, and opportunity of
promptly and obravely returning to con-
sonant ideas and habits. I think the Leg
islature ought toinvestigate Rndscrutinize,
by committees, or otherwise, every account
of every officer. in all the edepartments, of
the governments and to devise and initiate
a new system of economical, though eff
cient administration of Its taxes and finan-
ces, which should include no trace In form,
no stain In spirit Of those bad morals which
the war has already spread so widely
amongst our officers and people, J, ,...,
With these simple and general PROPOSE
tions, applicable to all other departments,
as well as, to our institutions. Of bcnevo-
lence, proceed again to more specific and
detailed statements and recommended
The bidding upon the new Deaf and
Dumb Asylum has progressed asrapidly
and favorably as the attendant difficulties
(specified In the report of the Architect)
would admit, The plan seems to be one Of
the most complete, commodious and ele-
giant In this or any other State, and the
qualityof the work Is excellent, almost be-
You'd comparison with any Of our other
public buildings. The design and execu-
tion,s alike, do great credit. to Mr.. Black
burn, and again eyipce the uncommon
Judgment and Discrimination of our late
Governor IN his selection of this Architect
and Superintendent. Il. ~ -. 80 i1i 81
The wing for the school Is So, far com
pleted as TO be readyfof an appropr