Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1870-01-14
INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF THE
GOVERNOR



ago, brief exposition of the condl-
tion of the State government was CIV
en-, and such measures were recon-
mended as the public good seemed to
me to require. Il will, therefore, not
be expected that on this occasion l
should again discuss subjects pertain
ing to the usual routine of legislation.
The most important questions con-
cerning State affairs which, in the or
dinary course of events, viii engage
the attention of the people of Ohio,
during the term of Office upon which
l now enter, are thOse which relate to
the action of Constitutional Conyen-
ton authorized to be called by a vote
of the people at the October election
in 1871. The present organic law pro-
vides for submitting to tho electors OF
the State once in twenty years the
question of holding "a convention to
revise, alter or amend the Constitu-
toin." Il is no disparagement of the
work of the last constitutional Con-
vention to say that experience has al
ready demonstrated the wisdom OF
this provision. 1t would be strange,
indeed, If the last eighteen years had
developed no defects in the Constitu
ZION Of 1851.
1t is perhaps not improper at this
time to call attention 10 some of the
amendm ments of the existing funda-
mental law which the next Constitu-
tional Convention will probably be re-
quired to consider.
The provision of the present Con-
stitution prohibits the General Assem-
bly, from authorizing "eny county, city
= hssr 81 nTe
gems or otherwise, from giving aid to
any company, corporation or associa-
tioh" was designed to remedy an evil
of the grayest magnitude. Unlimit
ed power to authorize counties, cities
and towns, to subscribe to the stock of
railroad companies, had burdened the
people Of the State with Indebtedness
and taxation to an extent which
| threatened bankruptcy. Experience
has shown that the clauses of the Con
stitution on this subject are so sweep
| ing that they are almost equivalent 60
to a prohibition of the construction Of
railroads. except where those who
control the existing railroad lines fur
| nish the means. In many loca lities
the people are thus deprived of the
only instrumentality for intercourse
u
/ country which is now regarded as val
liable. By reason of it important
/ sources of wealth in large sections Ol
the State remain undeveloped. It Ii
believed that amendments can be
framed under which effective local aid
can be furnished for the building oil
railroads, and which, at the same time
shall be so guarded and limited as tC
prevent dangerous abuse of the row
er.
For many years political influence
| aud political services have been essen
| tial qualifications for employment II
| the civil service, whether State or Ma
/ tional. As a general rule, such en-
ployments are regarded as terminating
| with the defeat of the political party
under which they began. All .pOliti-
| cal parties have adopted this rule. II
many Offices the highest qualifications
are ouly obtained by experience. Such
/ are the positions of the Warden OF
the Penitentiary and his subordinates
and superintendants of asylums and
reformatories and their assistants
| But the rnle is applied to these as
well as to other offices and employ.
ments. A change IN the political
character of the executive and legis-
lative branches of the government is
followed by change of the officers
and employees in all of the depart
ments and institutions of the State
Efficiency and fidelity to duty do moi
/ prolong the employment unftness
and neglect Of duty do not always
shorten it. The evils of this system
/ in State affairs are perhaps Of small
lmoment compared with those which
prevail under the same system In the
| transaction Of the business of the
| National Government. But at no dis
tant day they are likely to become Sc
rious evils in the administration o1
State affairs. The number Of person:
employed In the various Offices and
! institutions of the State must increase
under the most economical manage
ment in equal ratio with the growth
of onr population and business.
A radical reform in the civil service
of the General Government has beer
proposed. The plan is to make quail.
fications and not political services and
influence the chief test In determin-
Ling appointments. and to give subor
| dinates in the civil service the Same
j permanencY of place which is enjoy
1
! The introduction of this reform viii.
be attended with some difficulties
But In revising our State Constltu,
ton, if this object is kept constantly
in view, there Is little reason to doub
! that it can be successfully accomplish
ed.
Our judicial system is plainly made
auate to the wants of the people o
the State, Extensive alterations of ex
isting provisions should be made. Th'
suggestions I desire 70 present In thl
| connection are as to the manner o
selecting judges, their terms of othc'
and their salaries 1t IS fortunately
true that the judges Of our court
have heretofore been, for the mos
part, lawyers of learning, ability ant
integrity. But It must be remember
i ed that the tremendous events, anC
the wonderful progress of the las
! few years are working radical changes
ia the condition Of our society.
Hitherto population has been sparse
i property not unequally distributed
/ and the bad elements which SO fire
touently control large cities, have beer
almost unknown in our State. But
with a dense population crowding init
towns and cities. with vast wealth &C
cumuIating ia the hands of a few
persons, or corporations, it is to b.
/ apprehended that the time is comini
when Judges elected By popular vote
for short official terms and poorly paiC
will not possess the Independence re
quired to protect individual rights
/ Under the National Constitution
Judges are nominated by the Exeeu-
tive. and confirmed by the Senate, anC
hold Office during good behavior. ]
is worthy of consideration whether 1
return to the system established b.
the fathers is not the dictate of tht
highest prudence. I believe that 1
system under which judges are SO ap
pointed, for long terms, and with ade
| quate salaries, afford to the citizenI
the amplest possible security that i'm
partial justice viii be administered b.
an independent judiciary.
Iforbear to consider further at thi
time the interesting questions which
will arise in the revision and amend
! ment Of the Constitution. Convinced