The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1870-01-19

esntlssser Of the Ssnat, and Roass Of Rspreseta
tives- -.
In the annualmessage transmitted to
the General Assembly, few days ago,
brief exposition of the condition of the
State Government was given, and such
measures .,ere recommended as the pub
lie good seemed to me to require. 1t
will therefore, not be expected that on
this occasion l should again discuss sub
leets pertaining to the usual routine OF
legislation.
The most important questions concern
| ing State affairs which In the ordinary
course of events will engage the atten-
ton OF the people of Ohio, during the
/ term of Office upon which l now enter,
are those which relate to the action OF
| Constitutional Convention authorized to
| be called by a vote of the people at the
October election in 1871 The present or
| ganic 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 disparagement of the work Of the
last Constitutional Convention to say that
experience has already demonstrated the
wisdom of this provision. 1t would be
strange, indeed, if the last eighteen years
had developed no defects in the Constitu-
/
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 Constltu-
ton which prohibits the General Assem-
bly, from authorizing any county, city,
town or township by vote of its citizens
or otherwise" from giving aid to any
| company, corporation or association"
was designed to remedy an evil of the
gravest magnitude Unlimited power to
authorize 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 extent
| which threatened bankruptcy. Exper-
ience has shown that the clauses of the
Constitution on this subject are so sweep
ing that they are almost equivalent to a
prohibition of the construction ofrailroads
except where those who control the exist
ing railroad lines furnish the means. In
many localities the people are thus de-
prived of the only fundamentally for in
tercourse with other parts of the State and
country which Is now regarded as valua-
bic. By reason of it important sources OF
wealth IN large sections Of the State re-
main undeveloped 1t is believed that
amendments can be framed under which
effective local aid can be furnished for tho
building of railroads, and which at the
same time shall be so guarded and limited
as to prevent a dangerous abuse of power
For many years political influences and
political services have been essential quail.
ifications for employment in the civil SER
vice, whether State OF National. As q
general rule such employments are re-
garded as terminating with the defeat OF
the political party under which they be-
gan. All political parties have adopted
this rule. In many Offices the highest
qualifications are only obtained by expe-
rlence. Such are the positions of the
Warden of the Penitentiary and his sub
ordlnates, and the Superintendents o.
asylums, and reformatories and their as
sistanees, But the rule is applied to these
as well as to other officers and employ.
ments. A change IN the political charac
ter of the executive and legislative branch.
es of the government is followed by
change of the officers and employees II
all of the departments and institutions. o.
the State. Efficiency and fidelity to du
ty do not prolong the employment unfit
ness and neglect of duty do not always
shorten it. The evils of this system II
State affairs are perhaps of small momen
compared with those which prevail IN
der the same system IN the transaction
of the business of the National Govern
ment. But at no distant day they ar,
likely to become serious even in the ad
mfnistration Of State affairs. The mum
Der of persons employed in the various OF
fees and institutions of the State, mus
increase under the most economical man
agement IN equal ratio with the growth 0
our population and business
A radical reform In the civil service O
the General Government has been pro
: posed. The plan is to make qualifca
tions and not political services and In
huence the chief test IN determining ap
pointments, and to give subordinates Il
the civil service the same permanency Q
place which is enjoyed by officers of tn
! army and navy. The introduction c
this reform will be attained with som
difficulties But in revising our Stat
~Constitution, if this object is kept con
stantly in view, there is little reason t
doubt that It can be successfully accom-
plished
Our rjudicial system is plainly inadequat
to the wants of the people Of the State
Extensive alterations ofexisting provision
) must be made. The suggestions desir
, to present in this connection are as to tn
: manner ofselecting judges, their terms {
Office, and their salaries. 1t is fortunatel
true that the judges of our courts hav
heretofore been, for the most part, lawyer
, of learning, ability and integrity But
= must be remembered that the tremendou
events, and the wonderful progress of tn
| last few years are working radical change
in the condition of our society. Hithert
population has been sparse, property no
] unequally distributed, and the bad ele
1 ments which so frequently control lsrg
cities, have been almost unknown in ou
State. But, with a dense population
crowdiHg into towns and cities with vas
wealth accumulatipg IN the hands of
t few persons or corporations, it Is to be ap
Q pretended that the time is coming whe
judges elected by popular vote, for shor
official terms, and poorly paid will no
e possess the Independence required to pro
tect individual rights. Under the Nations
Constitution judges are nominated by tn
Executive and confirmed by the Senat,
and hold Office during good behavior. ]
IS worthy Of consideration whether retur
to the system established by the fathers
n not the dictate of the highest prudence.
( believe that q system under which Judge
q are so appointed, for long terms and wit
e | adequate salaries, affords to the citize
: the amplest possible security. that impal
tial Justice viii be enthusiastically an II
E dependent Judiciary.
' I forbear to consider further at this tim
5 the interesting questions which viii aris
: in the revision and amendment of tn
: Constitution. Convinced of the sound
: ness of the maxim that "that goveruEAer
4 is best which governs least, I,would resis
!. the tendency common to all systems t
f enlarge the functions of government. TIL
9 law should touch the rights, the bushes
: and the feelings of the citizen at as fe1
e points as is consistent with the preserva
{ ton of order, and the maintenance of jus
d tice. If every department of governmen
: is kept within its own sphere, and ever
: officer performs faithfully his own dut
: without magnifying his Office, harmony
|. efficiency and economy will prevail
t Under the Providence of God, the pee
b pie of this State have greatly prospered
: arebut they cannot forgetthat In their mids
: many thousands of sufferers who are enel
S titled to sympathy and relief They al