The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1872-01-09

eihPic poWctS W investigate tHe IDaH- |
agement Of the railroad companies of
the State, their legal rights, and the
rights Of the State and its citizens, and
to report the information acquired, with
a recommendation of such measures as
the commission shall deem expedient.
During the past year, the travelling
public has enjoyed. in Ohio. remarkable
Immunity from railroad accidents. Ac'
cordius to the reports of the railroad
companies to the Commissioner, not a.
single passenger has lost life by the fault
Of the railroads in the State, during the
year. But the number of persons 10th
er than passengers" and Of "employes"
who have lost their lives, is qp;te large.
One hundred and lifty-seven persons are
reported 10 have been killed, and it is
without doubt that many deaths, have
occurred which have not been reported
Many of these fatal accidents happened
in the streets Of towns and cities, at
street and road crossings. 1t is per-
fecily practicable to protect citizens
from these dangers, by enforcing prop
er regulations as to the speed Of trains,
and as to the occupancy and crossing
Of streets and roads. Your special at
tention is called to this subject
One of the most difficult and interest
ing practical problems which now enga-
ges the thoughts Of the American people,
is how to maintain economy, efficiency,
and purity in the administration Of local
affairs, and especially in the government
of towns and cities, without departure
from principles and methods which are
deemed essential to free popular govern
ment. Many Of the most important
functions ofgovernment are in the hands
of the local authorities. They are di-
rectly charged with the expenditure of
large sums Of money, with the protection
of life and property, and with the admin
istraGion of civil and criminal Justice
These duties,in one way or snother,touch
nearly and constantly the interests and
feelings of every citizen. Upon their
faithful performance depends the pros
perity, happiness and safety of the com
hahiNy. IL 10 tiue, ludb aS ye1, Oilo iS
happily, in great measure, free from the
operation of causes which in the CONNER
cial metropolis of the country recently
led to such extraordinary corruption in
the government Of that city. But those
causes do not belong alone to the great
cities of the East They are already at
work in our midst, and they are steadily
and rapidly increasing in power, No
political party is altogether free from
their influence, and no political party is
solely responsible for them. We have
laws prohibiting almost every conceiva-
able official neglect and abuse and pen
alties are affixed for the violation of those
laws whiah cannot be regarded as made
quate7 The difficulty is to secure their
enforcement. Those whose duty it is to
detect and prosecute, are often interested
in maintaining good relations with the
wrong doers. The contractors for pub
lie works and supplies, not unfrequently
have a community Of interest with those
who are the agents of the public, to let
and superinterd the performance of con
tracts Where these abuses exist, there
is apt to be large circle of apparently
disinterested citizens who labor to con
ceal the facts and to suppress inyestiga
ton. What the public welfare demands
is practical measure which viii provid,
for thorough and impartial investiga
ton in every case Of suspected neglect
abuse or fraud. Such an investigation
to be effective, must be made by an au
!. thority independent, if possible, of al
local influences. When abuses are dis
covered, the prosecution and punishment
Of offenders ought to follow. But evel
!, il prosecutions fail, in cases Of full expo
r sure, public opinion almost always accom-
plishes the object desired. A thorougI
investigation of official corruption an,
crtminality leads with great certainty t.
the needed reform. Publicity is grea
. corrector of official abuses. Let il, there
f fore, be made the duty of the Governor
/, on satisfactory information that the pub
/. lie good requires an investigation of th
affairs Of any puolic office or the conduc
of any public officer. whether State o
local, to appoint one or more citizen
: who shall have ample powers to max
snch Investigation. If, by the investigs
E ton, violations of law are discovered ,th
p Governor should be authorized,in in his dis
erection, to notify the Attorney Genera
, whose duty it should be, on such notice,t t
o prosecute the offenders. The Constitr
ton makes it the duty Of the Governor t
'see that the laws are faithfully execr
ted" Some such measure rs the one her
recommended, is necessary to give fore
and effect to this constitutional provi:
ion.
q In compliance with the Constitution
= the last General Assembly submitted
3 the people the question of holding Cor
8 vention, "to revise, alter or amend th
Constitution and at the October election
large majority of the voters Of the Stat
q decided in favor of Convention. 1t
the duty Of the General Assembly, at ii
e present session, to provide, by law, 70
the election of delegates, and the Assem-
| bling of the Convention.
The vote on the question of calling tn
Convention which formed the preser
Constitution was taken at the Octobe
q election, 1S49. At the next session of th
General Assembly, an act was passe
e which provided for the election of dele
gates to the Convention, the first Monda
/ of April, 1850, and the Convention wa
convened on the hrst Monday of Ma
following.
!, In conclusion i wish to make my CRATE
: full acknowledgements to the people c
. Ohio, for the honorable trusts they hav
:. confided to me, and to express the hop
! that the harmony, prosperity and happ
. ness which they now enjoy in such fu
measure, NAV, under Providence, be pei
petual. r. B. HAYES.
: The Pacific Coast