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

phans Home report that the number oi
orphans in Ohio needing care is about
eight hundred, and that the humber
cared for is only about two hundred and
FIFTY. These facts sufficiently demon
strate the Importance Of the suggestion
here made.
/ renew the recommendation hereto.
fore made, that the Legislature provide
fer The erection of suitable monuments
at the graves Of General Harrison and
General IIamer
General Harrison has many titles to
the grateful remembrance of the people
Of Ohio. lie was one of the pioneers
Of the West, soldier of honorable
famo in two wars against the savages,
and i'll the war Of 1912, Secretary and
Acting Governor Of the North west
Territory before Ohio was organized, a
law maker OF conspicuous usefulness at
the State Capital and at Washington,
and was Chief Magistrate of the Nation
at the time OF his death. TO honor
him is to henor all who were emins1t
and useful in the early settlement OF
Ohio. $685..
General Hamer served with distinc
ton four times in the General Assem-
bly,; was The Speaker of the House Of
Representatives; was six years mem-
Der Of Congress from the Brown coun-
~ District, ard died in Mexico, in IS46,
volunteer from Ohio, in the service
Of his country, with the rank Of Brisa-
der General AT the time of his death,
the General Assembly, with entire upan
unity, RESOLVED, that the body of the
deceased be brought from Mexico and
inferred in thr soil nr Ohio. at thu OK
pense Of the State" Having nnderta-
ken, IS the duty OF the State, to give
tie remains Of General Hamer a fitting
burial, the Legislature cannot regard
that duty as completely performed Tin.
til an appronriate monument has been
built at his grave.
Since the adoption of the present
Constitution, the Governors duties have
compelled him to reside at The Capital
If any change is made in respect to the
powers and duties of the Executive in
the revision about to be made of the
Constitution, the change, it is probable,
will increase rather than diminish his
duties The evident impropriety of
suhjeciing each new incumbent of the
office to the Inconvenience and expense
OF procuring and furnishing suitable
residence for the short period Of Gov
ernor's term Of Office, has led, in many
States, to the purchase of Governor S
Mansion. Three Of the States adjoin
ing Ohio have adopted this course. 1t
cannot be doubted that Ohio will, at nc
distant day, follow their example The
rapid increase in the value of real es
tate in Columbus in consequence of its
present growth, and its promise of con
tiRued prosperity in the future, gives
force to the suggestion that, if the State
is to purchase Governors residence
at all, it would be we'll to do it prompt
| ly.
The Importance of wise legislation OF
the subject of railroads, in State hav
ing the geographical position which be
longs to Ohio, cannot be over estima
ted. The greater part Of the trade ant
travel between the commercial and man
ufacturing States of the East and th
agricultural States of the West, and o
the business Of the continental railway
which connect the Atlantic and Pacih
oceans, passes over the railroads of thi
State. Fourteen years ago, Governo
Chase, speaking of the railroads o
Ohio, said: This vast interest, ,affectin!
vitality go many other interests. ha
grown suddenly to its present dimen
sions without system, without genera
organization, and, in some importsn
repects, without responsibility
Then the railroads Of the State carrie
annually about million Of passenger:
; and their gross receipts were about 81
millions OF dollars year. Last yes
they carried twelve millions Of pssser
gers, and their gross receipts exceede
thirty millions Of dollars.
Al. of the just powers Of the sorpc
rations which conduct this immens
, business, are derived from the laws {
4 the State. If these laws fail to guar
adequately the rights and the interest
of our citizens, it is the duty Of tt
| General Assembly to supply their d.
feets. Serious and we'll grounded AZ
prehensions are felt that in the manage
ment OF these companies, which al
( largely controlled ty non-residents {
, Ohio, practices, not sanctioned by tt
!, law, nor by sound morality, have b'
come common, which sTe preiudicial
the interests Of the great body of Il
, people, and which, if continued, will Il
| timately destroy the prosperity of tt
State.
Regarding railroads as the most us,
, full instrumentalitv by which intercours
is carried on between different section
of the country, the people do not desil
the adoption of narrow or unfriendl
+ policy towards them. But it should I
remembered that these corporation
. were created, and their valuable fral
chises granted by the Legislature 10 prt
mote the interests of the people of I'll
r State. No railroad company can sacr
fce those interests without violating II
law of its origin. 1t is not to be doub
cd that the authority of the Gener
: Assembly is competent to correct wha
5 ever abuses have grown up in the maj
agement of til. railroads of the Stat,
' The late Commissioner of Railroad
aud Telegraphs, in his last able and va
t liable report, directs attention to lars
+ number of what he terms 'clear an
| palpahle violations OF law" by railroa
companies, which are Of frequent o.
= currenCe.
In relation to the rates prescribed b
law for the transportation of person
and property, he says: "There is not
railroad operated in the State, eitht
I under special charter or the gener
law, upon which the law regulating rate
| is not in some way violated nearly e
I cry time regular passenger, or freish
: Or mixed train passes over it."