The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1873-09-05

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/ and other officers of the asylums
reform schools, etc, and to contro
the expenditure OF nearly seventy-fv'
per cent. of all the money raised b.
State taxation. As, after two or thre'
weeks discussion, this proposition wa
. rejected by a decisive vote, l do no
i, care to discuss its merits or dement's
: and only refer to it tor the purpose o
mentioning certain facts which wer'
developed by the discussion in th'
convention. From the examination
of the reports of pnblic institutions il
the five largest States in the Union
it appeared that the annual cost o
maintaining the inmates in our public
institutions averages from $50, to Sl5(
per capita less than in the correspond
ing institutions in New York, Penn
sylvania, Illinois or Indiana.
1 have taken considerable palnl
since became Governor of the Stats
to acquaint myself with the manage
ment of our public charities. In my
Judgment they are weekend faithfully
conducted. The Trustees are selected
from our best men, never on account
of their political standing; generally
because of some peculiar fitness which
they are supposed to possess for the
positions assigned them, and alway,
from among men recognized in the
communities where they reside a.
honest, capable, kind-hearted, and
public spirited. Under this system il
is possible that in some instances bad
bargains have been made, and that
here and there expenses might be cur,
tailed; it may happen in some case;
Trustees do not give to the matter:
under their charge the same untirine
attention that business men give tC
their private affairs / do not know
of any such instances, but If there are
any, it is insepsrable from human
nature. 1t would be strange, indeed,
if among the large number of appoint,
ments which are to be made there arc
not now and then one man who looks
little moro carefully after his own
interests than for the public welfare.
| remember once to have heard Judge
William Caldwell, Ia very worthy and
able man, who might have been the
Democratic candidate for Governor
if he had not declined 1t when attack
ing an uncomfortable administrator Z
account, say that "God Almighty
made man, but God never made q
Trustee. A Trustee is the creation
of the law" 1t may be so; but if
God has made an honest and upright
man, the law will make him g reliable
and faithful Trustee. Our public
institutions cost US three-fourths of all
the State taxes; but they are the
pride of our people, and there is
nothing for which we are more willing
to be taxed than TO defray the expense
of providing for the necessities and
comforts OF the poor unfortunates who
fill our asylums, and the friendless
boys and girls who, in the reform
schools, are being saved from vice and
crime, and being fitted for honest and
successful lives.
Such, then, has been the man.
agement OF the finances of the State
Is there any cause of complaint !?
TAXATION SHOULD BE IQUALIzED.
There are various matters of State
Legislation to which it seems to me de
sirable that the attention OF our peo-
pie should be called this fsl!. Some
of them had hoped would be made
the subject of constitutional provision
by the convention, and supposed the
convention would conclude its labors
in season for the result TO be consid
cred in this political c3npaign. But
the adjournment makes that impossi-
bic. In selecting members of the
Legislature it would be well to bear
in mind that the laws regulating tax
alton ought to be revised and amended
so as more perfectly to equalize the
burdens of the people. Certain classes
of men who do large and lucrative
business are accustomed to pay no
taxes at all, except upon Office furni-
ture. Such is notably the case with
many OF the private bankers Many
of the railroads largely escape tax
alton. And it is possible more effec.
tive system could be devised for as.
certaining the taxable property ofmer
chants, whose wares are constantly
changing in kind and quantity. As ii
now is, those who are honestly dis
posed pay more than their fair pro
portion of the taxes. This is a sub
ject which should be thoroughly con-
sidered, either by the Constitutions
Convention or the Legislature, OIL
both; but it is likely the whole matter
will be left to the Legislature, as
understand it has been so decided by
the committee of the convention hav
ing the matter in charge.
PROTECTION OF NINERs-sTRIKEs.
In my last annual message, called
the attention of the Legislature t
the necessity for some legal provision
for the protection of persons engaged
in hazardous enterprises, especial,
miners. The life of the miner is a pc
culiar one. Shut out from the world
with no associates for the most part
, except his OWE thoughts aud a few
men engaged like himself, he natur
ally becomes morose, suspicious, an,
dissatisfied. He has little in common
with the world and feels that tn
world has no sympathy for him. Whel
; aggrleved, he has little disposition t.
! discuss or compromise; he simpl
quits work, starves rather than yieI,
to what he regards as hard and unjus
! terms. He goes down to his wor'
, through the one opening in the mine
: wellknowing that in case OF fire, or tn
falling of the earth in the shaft above
he must roast alive or suffocate, q
j there is no possibility OF escape. Sue
5 disasters have become so common q
to excite reasonable apprehension
Now, in my Judgment, the Legislator
D should provide against such danger
;, by compelling coal operators, in mine
s where they do not already exist,
furnish at least two openings; an
S provision should be made for thoroug
y and frequent inspection of mines b
8 practical and scientific men, compete,
d tor the task assigned them, and clothe
!; with authority to afford the proper II
: lief.
ls And while the personal safety
those engaged in mining should |
secured, there should, if possible, /
q such legislation as would effectual
n guard against strikes. The suferiu
II and loss occasioned by the strikes
% workmen, especially coal miners, do
u not end with the workmen themselv
al or their families, nor with the co
10 operators. The manufacturers wi
10 buy coal for their workshops and ia
IN tories, the mechanics who use it, Il
laborers who transport it, the poor al
!! sick whose homes are warmed by
IN all suffer as well. The means OF SUI
le port is cut off from large classes
at innocent and industrious people Il
" moment the supply OF coal is exhau'
es ed, or the price largely augmente
ne In all strikes it is not the capital
who suffer most; it is always the po
IN man and the laborer. All reasonat
cause OF complaint on the part
ne miners should be removed, and it
IN believed then all difficulty might
ID obviated. In case of dispute betwe
IT. the operator and the miner, sor
lt, ant hnritY or tribunal anrnn onnnn,