The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1868-01-17

The military OF Columbus waiteu on
Gen. Hayes and escorted him to the
Governors room in the Capitol, when
he was taken in charge by the Com
mittee of Arrangements and conduct
ed to the rotunda, where the men,
bers of the Legislature and large
number of ladies and gentlemen were
assembled to witness the ceremonies
After appropriate music by the
band and fervent prayer by Rev.
J DIR. Trimble, the Governor delivered
his
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
Gentlemen of the Senate and House OF
Representatives., and Fellorr- Citizens:
The duty devolved on the Governor
by the Constitution of communicating
by message to the General Assembly
the condition of the State, and of rec
commencing such measures as ne
deems expedient, has beenperformed
at the present session by my prede-
cessor, Governor Cox, in manner
SO thorough and comprehensive that
1 do not feel called upon to enter up.
on O discussion of questions touch
ing the administration of the State
Government.
can think of no better reward for
the faithful performance of the duties
of the Office which l am about to as
sumo, than that which, believe, my
immediate predecessor is entitled to
enjoy.--the knowledge that in the
opinion of his fellow citizens of all
parties, he has, by his culture, his
ability and his integrity, honored the
office Of Governor of Ohio, and that
he now leaves it with q conscience
satisfied with the discharge of duty.
l congratulate the members Of the
General Assembly that many of the
questions which have hitherto largely
engaged tue attention of the law
making power, and divided the peo-
pie OF the State, have, in the progress
of events, either been settled, or in
the general Judgment of the people,
been transferred for Investigation and
decision to the National Government
The State debt, taxation, the currency
and internal improvements, for many
years furnished the prominen topics
of discussion and controversy in Ohio.
In the yesr 1845 the State debt
reached Its highest Point 1t amount
ed to $50, ,0l8,515 81, and in the same
year the total taxable property of the
State was Sl36, 1896 With dis
ordered currency, with business pros
trated, with labor often insuficiently
rewarded, the burden of this debt
was severely felt, and questions in
regard to it naturally entered into
the partisan struggles of the time.
Now the State debt is S1l ,03l ,9u Sc;
the taxable property oil the State
amounts to 81, 1873, ,754.779; and there
is no substantial difference of opinion
among the people as to the proper
mode of dealing with this subject.
State taxation was formerly the oc-
casion of fviolent party contests. Now
men of all parties concur in the Qpin.
ion that as a general rule every citi-
zen ought to be taxed in proportion
to the actual value of his property,
without regard to the form in which
he prefers to invest it and differences
as to the measures by which the prin-
ciple is practically applied, rarely
enter into political struggles in Ohio.
Party conflicts and debates as to
State laws in relation to banking and
the currency, constitute large part
Of the political history of the State.
But the events of the last few years
have convinced those who are in favor
Of paper currency, that in the pres
ent condition of the country it can
best be furnished by the National
Government, either by means of Ma
,ional Banks or in the form Of legal
.ender Treasury notes. State Legis
atures are, therefore, relieved from
he consideration of this difficult and
subject.
Internal improvements made by
State authority, so essential to growth
md prosperity in the early history of .
he State, no longer require much
by the General Assem-
bly,. Works of a magnitude too great
% be undertaken by individual enter II
,rise, will hereafter be, for the most J
part, accomplished by the Govern J
nent of the nation. G
The part which patriotism required I
ohio to take in the war 10 suppress {
he rebellion, demanded important
md frequent acts of legislation g
fortunately the transactions of the v
state growing out of the war have +
,een. or probably can be, closed IN
Ter existing laws, with very little, III.
ny, additional legislation.
If not mistaken as to the result Of q
his brief reference to a few of the v
rincipal subjects of the legislation A
f the past, the present General As =
emily has probably better oppor
unity than any of its predecessors u
D avoid the evil of too much legisla- Il
on. Excessive legislation has be-
ONE great evil and submit 10 the
idgment of the General Assembly
ne wisdom of avoiding it. n
One important question OF princi :;
lie, as old as our State Government, VI
till remains unsettled ALI are ia
liliar with the conflicts to which the @
olicy of making distinctions between Il
itizens in civil ond political rights Il
as given rise in Ohio. The first ii
fort of those who opposed this pol "
" was to secure to all citizens equal n
y of civil rights. The result of the u
ruggle that ensued is thus given, d
y an eminent and honored citizen of p
lr State:
"The laws which created disablli- et
es on the part of negroes in respect Il
civil rights, were repealed in the III
Ear 1S49, after an obstinate contest Of
1ite memorable in the history of the "
tate. Their repeal was looked upon b,
ith great disfavor by large portion d,
the people, as dangerous innova- as
On upon just and well settled pol W
y, and vote in that direction CON Jt
gned many members Of the Legis- to
ture to the repose Of private life. 81
ut l am not aware that any evil re- CO
Its justified these apprehensions, wi
that any effort was ever made to wi
ipose the disabilities. On the con- &c
ary, the new policy, if I may call it th