Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-01-02
NASHVILLE, TENN,
OHIO.
Legislative 0rganizasleii-.-Goy.
ernOrs's Message.

Legislative Organization Gov.
ernOrS's Message.
ALI tiae Senate OaRces Elected by Ghe
Casting Vote.
C0LUMBUs, Jan. LA large number
were present m the Sensts this morning to
see its organization. Lieut.. Gov. Lee
called the Senate to order at 10 O'Clock. All
Of the Senators were present.
e. 7. Bail, Republican, was elected Chief
Clerk. The vote stood is to 1S for his OPP
penent, C. b. Flood, Democrat. The Lieut..
Governor gave the casting vote and at once
decided that Hall was duly elected.
Mr.. Putnam, Of Ross, Democrat, rose to
apoint of order but Lieut.. Gev. Lee said
no business was In order except the noEni-
nation Of an Assistant Clerk.
Mr.. Putnam asked if an appeal from the
decision of the chair was in order.
The chair said nothing was in order ex-
cept the nomination Of an Assistant Clerk,
and at once swere Hall In as Chief Clerk.
Nomir ations were then made for Assist
ant Clerk. All the Republicans voted for
their caucus nominee votes. The Dem
ocrats cast IL votes for one Of their nomi-
nees and one for another, thus preventing
q tie. Nine ballots were had without elec-
ton. On the tenth ballot the Republican
nominee was elected by the casting vote of
the Lieutenant Governor. All the other
Republican nominees were elected by the
casting vote of the Lieutenant Governor,
except for unimportant offices.
The House organized by electing N. H.
Vanvorheis, of Aliens (ReI u5lican) Speak
er, and B. j. LoeInis, of Fnlnklin, (Repub-
lican) Chief Clerk. ALI the other nominees
chosen by the Republican caucus were
duly elected.
In the House this evening resolution
was adopted to enquire into the facts rela-
tive to the tie vote for Representative in Noble
county.
The One-Term Amendment.
a resolution and preamble was iItroduc-
ed by Mr.. Bozel, Democrat, asking Ohio
Senators and Representatives in Congress
to vote for Summers proposed amendment
to the constitution, making any person incl
gible to Office Of President Of the United
States for more than one term. The reso-
luton was adopted by vote of 16 to Is, all
the Democrats present, and Gage and Case
ment Representatives voting for it.
Gov. Hayes Message.
The annual message of Gov. Hayes was
read in the Senate during the afternoon
session. 1t is q brief document and con-
fined entirely to the affairs of Ohio. The
finances of the State are represented to be
in good condition. The interest bearing
debt Is eight millions nine hundred and
fifty six thousand two hundred and eleven
dollars and five cents. The non-interest
bearing debt is forty-four thousand five
hundred and eighteen dollars and thirty-one
cents
Municipal Debt.
The Governor says it will be noticed with
qualification that the annual increase of
taxation to which the people have been
long accustomed, has been checked, and
that taxes, both State and local, have been
somewhat reduced. The increase of local
Indebtedness still continues. The returns
made to the Auditor of State are imperfect,
but enough is shown to warrant the opinion
that during the past year the Indebtedness
of towns and cities in the State has increased
not less than one million dollars, and that
their aggregate Indebtedness now equals the
Indebtedness of the State. respectfully
repeat as remedy for this evil the recon-
mendation heretofore made that all public
debts he prohibited except in cases of
emergency analogous to these specified in
sections and 2 of article of the constitu-
ton. ts-V yAss
The erection of suitable monuments at
the graves of Gems. Harrison and Homer is
recommended
Railroad UsurpatiOns.
Considerable attention Is devoted to rail-
road companies and their alleged encroach-
ments upon the rights of citizens, and the
Governor recommends that commission
of five citizens, of whom the Railroad Com
missioner shall be. one, be organized, with
ample power to investigate the management |
of railroad companies in the State, their !
legal rights, and the rights of the State and |
its citizens, and to report the information |
acquired, with the recommendation of such |
measures as the commission shall deem ex- |
pcdient.
Corruption.
In reference to economy and purity in |
the administration of affairs, Gov. Hayes |
speaks as follows.
One of the most difficult and interesting |
practical problems which now engages the |
thoughts of the American people is how to
maintain economy, efficiency and purity in |
the administration of local affairs, and espe- |
ciaily in the government of towns and cities, |
without departure from the principle and
methods which are deemed essential to a |
free popular government. Many of the
most important functions of government |
are in the hands of the local authorities. |
They are directly charged with the expendi-
ture Of large sums of money, with the pro-
lection of life and property, and with the
administration of civil and criminal justice.
These duties in one way or
another, touch nearly and constantly the
interests and feelings of every citizen. Up |
on their faithful performance depends the |
prosperity, happiness and safety of the COM
munity. 1t is true that as yet Ohio is happily |
in great measure free from the operation |
of the causes which in the commercial |
metropolis of the country recently led to |
such extraordinary corruption in the govern
ment of that city. But these causes do not
belong alone to the great cities of the East.
They are already at work in our midst and |
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 conceivable official /
neglect and abuse, and penalties are affixed /
to the violation of these laws which |
cannot be regarded as Inadequate.
The difficulty is to secure their enforce |
ment. Those whose duty it is to detect !
and prosecute are often interested in MAIN |
tanning good relations with wrong doers.
Contractors for public works and supplies not |
unfrequently have community of interest |
with. those who are the agents of the public, |
to let aud superintend the performance of !
contracts. Where these abuses exist there |
is apt to be large circle of apparently dis |
interested citizens who labor to conceal the |
facts and to suppress investigation. What
the public welfare demands is some practi- |
cal measure which win provide for a thor |
ough and impartial inyestigationi in every case
of suspected neglect, abuse or fraud. |
Such legislation, to be effective, must be made
by authority independent, if possible, of all
local influences. When abuses are discovered /
prosecution and punishment of the ofen- |
ders ought to follow, but even if the prose-
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