The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1870-01-14
INAUGURATION DAY.
Inaugural Addresses Of Gov. Hayes and
Lieut.. Gov. Lee.
CorIrNrprrs Iannaru II

I PRIDE, pOmp," etc, on SInall ScaIe.
At q p. NJ, the Judges of the Su-
preme Court, State officers, represen-
tatives of the press, members OF the
City Council, clergy, &c, assembled
in the Senate Chamber, meeting there
the members of both Houses Of the
General Assembly. Thence, accord
ing 10 previously arranged program
me, all these moved in procession to
the rotunda Of the Capitol, where ac-
cording to the arrangements OF a joint
committee of the Senate and House,
the ceremonies sofinauguratiOn were to
take place.
When the procession had reached
the rounds, brilliant spectacle pre-
scented itself. A platform, deeply
draped in colOrs from the flag room
OF the State House, and just under
that absurd picture in which Commo-
dore Perry is represented in full uni
form and with drawn sword, making
that transfer from one vessel to an
other, which constituted the romantic
feature Of the battle Of Lake Erie, had
been erected.
Z In the center of the rOtunda were a
large number of ladies, for whom seats
had been prepared. Beyond these,
and filling to repletiOn the remainder
of the rOtunda stood closely packed
the masculine portion of the audience.
The broad stairs leading up to the
Chamber of the Senate and House,
were mostly occupied by ladies,
amongst whom a few gentlemen had
here and there insinuated themselves.
Soon the crowd was stirred by the
music of the band, which burst forth
Just as the Governor elect, the Lieu
tenant Governor elect, members of
the Committee of Arrangements, and
others, appeared marching in process
sion from the Executive Chamber to
the platform in the rotunda.
Governor Hayes stepped upon the
platform with that firm step which
showed cOnclusiyely that he had
"been there before" His countenance
wore the same calm expression that it
usually does; nor was it tinged with a
particle more color than il is on ordi-
nary occasions. In fact, Governor
Hayes is always decidedly cool man,
notwithstanding his sanguine temper
ament and red hair.
As soon as the music had ceased,
the Rev. Isaac Crook, of the Method
ist Episcopal Church, addressed the
Throne of Grace in prayer.
The Governor then stepped forward
and delivered the following inaugural
address:
INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF GOVERNOR
HAYES.
Gentlemen Of the Senate and House
of RepreseJtdtiUes:
In the annual message transmitted
to the General Assembly, few days
ago, a brief exposition of the condi-
ton of the State government was CIV
en-, and such measures were recon-
mended as the public good seemed to
me to require. 1t will, therefore, not
be expected that on this occasion 1
should again discuss subjects pertain
ing to the usual routine of legislation.
The most important questions con-
cerning State affairs, which, in the
natural course of events will engage
the attention of the people of Ohio,
during the term of Office upon which
now enter, are those which relate to
the action of Constitutional Con-
vention authorized to be called by
vote of the people at the October cleo
ton, in 1871. The present organic
law provides for submitting to the
electors of the State once in twenty
years, the question of holding "a
convention to revise, alter or amend
the Constitution" 1t is no dispar-
agement of the work of the last Con-
stitutionaI Convention to say that ex-
perience has already demonstrated the
wisdom of this provision. It would
be strange, indeed, if the last eight
the Constitution of 1851.
1t is, perhaps not improper at this
time TO call attention to some of the
amendments of the existing funda-
mental law which the next Constitu-
tional Convention will probably be re-
quired to consider.
The provision of the present COnsti-
tuition which prohibits the General
Assembly from authorizing "any
county, city, town or township, by
vote of its citizens or otherwise, "from
giving aid to any company, corpora
ton or association was designed to
remedy an evil of the grayest magni-
tvde. Unlimited power to authorize
counties, cities and towns to subscribe
to the stock of railroad companies,
had burdened the State with indebted
ness and taxation to an extent which
threatened bankruptcy. Experience
has shown that the clauses of the
Constitution on this subject, are so
sweeping that they are almost equiv
alent to a prohibition of the construc-
ton of railroads, except where those
who control the existing railroad lines
furnish the means. In many lOcali-
ties the people are thus deprived of
the only instrUmentality for inter-
course with other parts of the State
and country which is now regarded as
valuable. BY reason of it important
sources of wealth in large sections of
the State remain undevelOped. 1t is
believed that amendments can be
framed under which effective local aid
can be furnished for the building of
railroads, and which at the same time
shall be so guarded and limited as to
prevent a dangerous abuse of the
power. p ffsa ~.
For many years political influence
and political services have been es-
sential qualifications for employment
in the civil service, whether State or
National. AS a general rule, employ
ments are regarded as terminating
with the defeat Of the political party
under which they began. All politi-
cal parties have adopted this rule. In
many offices the highest qualifications
are only obtained by experience
Such are the positions of the Warden
of the Penitentiary and his subordi-
%
asylums and refOrmatories, and their
assistants. But the rule is applied to
these as well as to other officers and
employments. A change in the po-
litical character of the executive and
legislative branches of the Govern
ment is followed by a change Of the
officers and employees in all the de-
partments and institutions of the
State. Efficiency and fidelity to duty
do not prolong the employment; un-
fitness and neglect of duty Go not al
ways shorten it. The evils of this
system, in State affairs, are perhaps
of small moment, compared with
those which prevail under the same
system in the transaction of the busi-
ness of the National government
But at no distant day they are likely
to become serious even in the admin
istration of State affairs. The num-
ber of persons employed in the va
rious offices and institutions of the
State must increase, under the most
management, in equal "a
ito with the growth of our population
and business.
A radical reform in the civil service |
of the Gen eral Government has been
The plan is to make quail |
fications, and not political services
and influence the chief test in determ-
ming appointments, and to give sub |
ordinates in the civil service the same |
ofplace which is enjoyed |
by officers of the army and navy
The introduction of this reform will
be attended with some difficulties
But in revising our State Constitution,
if this object is kept constantly in
view, there is little reason to doubt
that it can be successfully accom-
plished.
Our judicial system is plainly mad
equate to the wants of the people OF
the State Extensive alterations OF
provisions must be made
The suggestions l desire to present in
this connection are as to the manner
of selecting Judges, their terms of Of
flee and their salaries. 1t is fortunate |
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