Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1870-01-22
WEEKLY TELEGRAPH
ABULA, OHIO
Saturday Morning, Jan. %, 1870.
Inaugural Address of Governor Hayes.

Gentlemen Of He Senate and House IF Reprcsentd.
tires
In the annual message transmitted to
the General Assembly, a few days ago, Il
brief exposition of the condition of the
State government was given, and such
measures were recommended as the public
good seemed to me 10 require. 1t will,
therefore, not be expected that on this
occasion, | should again discuss subjects
pertaining to tie usual routine of legsla-
ton.
The most important questions concern
ing State affairs which in the ordinary
course of events will engage the atterl-
tion of the people of Ohio, during the
term of Office upon which | now enter,
are those which relate TO the action OF a
constitutional convention authorized to
be called by vote of the people at the
October election in 1871. The present
organic law provides for submitting to
the electors Of the State once in twenty
years the question OF holding "A con-
vention to revise, alter or amend the CON
stitution." 1t is 10 disparagement to
the work of the last constitutional con-
vention to say that experience has al
really demonstrated the wisdom of this
provision. 1t would be strange indeed
If the last eighteen years had developed
no defects in the constitution of 1851.
1t is perhaps not improper at this time
to call attention to some of the amend
ments of the existing fundamental law
which the next constitutional convention
will probably be required to consider.
The provision Of the present constitu.
tion which prohibits the General Assem-
bly, from authorizing ''any county, city,
town or township by note of it's citizens
or otherwise, from giving aid to any com.
pany, corporation or association, was de-
signed to remedy an evil of the gravest
magnitude. Unlimited power to author
ize counties, cities and towns, to sub
scribe to the stock Of railroad companies,
had burdened the people of the State
with Indebtedness and taxation to an ex-
tent which threatened bankruptcy. Ex-
penence has shown that the clauses of
the constitution on this subject are so
sweeping that they are almost equivalent
to q prohibition Of the construction of
railroads, except where those who CON
troll the existing railroad lines furnish the
means. In many localities the people
are thus deprived of the only instrument
tality for intercourse with other parts OF
the State and country which is now re-
garded as valuable. BY reason of its I'M
portant sources of wealth in large sec
tions of the State remain undeveloped
1t is believed that amendments can bl
framed under which effective local ait
can be furnished tor the building of rail
roads, and which, at the same time. shal
be so guarded and limited as TO preyen,
dangerous abuse OF the power.
For many years political influence anC
POLITICAL services have been esscntia
qualifications for employment in the civi
service, whether State or National Al
general rule such employments are re
garded as terminating with the dciea
OF the political party under which they
began. All political parties have adopted
this rule. In many offices the highes
qualifications are only obtained by cx
perience Such are the positions OF th'
Warden of the Penitentiary and his sub
ordiDates, and the Superintendent o
asylums, and reiormatorics and their as
sistants. But the rule is applied to these
as we'll as to other offices and employ
mentF. A change in the political charac
ter of the executive aud legislatiy,
branches of the government is followed b.
a change of the officers and empoye
in all OF the departments aud institution
OF the State. Efficiency and fidelity [
duty do not prolong the employment
untitness and neglect Of duty do not a
ways shorten il. The evils of this sy,
tenn IN State affairs are perhaps OF sma
moment compared with those which pr,
vail under the same system in tho tran,
action Of the business OF the Nations
Government. But at no distant da
they are likely to become serious even il
the administration of State affairs. Th
number of persons employed in the val
ions Offices aud institutions of the Stat
must increase under the most economical
management in equal ratio with th
growth OF our population and busines,
A radical reform in the civil service {
the general government has been pr,
posed. The plan is TO make qualiiici
tions and not political services aud inf,
ence the chief test in determining al
pointments, AMI to give subordinates
the civil service the same permanency
place which is enjoyed by ,he officers ,
the army and navy. The introductio
of this reform will be attended with sou
difficulties. But in revising our Sta
constitution, ii this object Is kept co
stanly in view, there is little reason
doubt that il can be successfully aocor
plished.
Olr judicial system is plainly ina
equate TO tbe wants of the people. K
tens1Ve alterations Of existing proyisio
must be made The suggestions desi
to present in this connection are as
the manner Of selecting judges, tho