Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1874-01-15
INAUGURAL ADDREs.

no o the audience, proceeded t, deliv-
r the following, his
INAUGURAL ADDRES.
,entlenaen of the General Assem-. bly,:
The events ofOctober have made it
nv dut,v to appear before you, and in
your pre- sence to take tb oath prescri-
bed to the Chief Executive officer of
the State.
I have taken the oath, and shall earn
estly seek to perform the promises it
exacts.
At the opening of the session my
predecessor, in his, annual message, sub
United to you a general statement of
the condition OF the several executive
of the Government. He
likewise made such suggestions as
seemed to him necessary and proper.
LII at any time during your session,
the public interests should, in my judg-
ment, require me to do so, will sub
NIT to you some additional sugges-
tions in the form of a special message.
The Constitutional Convention, now
in session, will no doubt complete its
important labors and submit the re-
suit for ratification by the people du-
ring the current year.
Should such ratification be obtained,
your next session will be one of extra
ordinary labor. You will then be re-
uuired to revise the whole body of the
general laws of the State, and by ap-
propriate modification adjust those
laws to the requirements OF the new
Constitution.
For these reasons, you may deem it
unnecessary to alter in any very mate
rial particulars, the existing laws, at
your present session.
But there are some legislative acts
which, will, believe, attract your I'M
mediate attention. These are the acts
by which taxes are imposed and ap-
propriations made. Even if you were
now convened under ordinary circum-
stances, you would, believe, feel it to
be your duty to reduce existing taxes
and appropriations; for il is evident to
all men that the increase of taxes and
public expenditures has for some years
been much beyond the actual and ra-
tional necessities of the public service.
But, gentlemen, you are not now
convened under ordinary circumstan-
eeS.
A few months ago, that undetinable
but tremendous power, called a money
panic, impaired a violent shock to the
whole industrial and property system
of the country.
The weil-considered plans and calcu-
lations of all men engaged in active
business, or in the exertion of active la
hor, were suddenly and thoroughly de-
ranged. In the universal business an
archy that ensued, the minds of men
became more or less bewildered, so that
few among them were able distinctly
to see their way, or know what to do,
or what to omit, even through the brief
futurity of single week. All values
and all incomes were instantly and
deeply depressed. There was not a far
mer, a manufacturer, a merchant, a
mechanic, or laborer, who did not
feel that he was less able to meet his
engagements, or to pay his taxes, than
he had been before. The distressful
effect of this state of things was felt by
all, but it was more grievously felt by
the great body of the laboring people,
because it touched them at the vital
point of subsistence. Many of these
men were unable to find that regular
and remunerative employment SO es-
sential to their well-being, whilst some
of them, especially in the large towns
and cities, would have suffered for the
want of the nutriment upon which the
continuance of life depends, but for that
prompt humanity and charity SO char
acteristic of, and SO honorable to the
whole American people.
1t is in the midst of this condition OF
things that you are now convened;and
it is manifestly the duty of the Legis-
Iature of the State to afford the only re-
lief which it has the constitutional
power to afford, by the reduction of
public taxes, in proportion to the re-
duced ability of the people to pay.
Yet, this cannot be done without at
the same time reducing the eXpendi-
lures of the State Government down to
the very last dollar compatible with
the maintenance of the public credit of
the State, and the efficient working of
the State Government, under the ever
present sense of necessary economy. L
do not mean that vague and mere ver-
bal economy which public men are so
ready to profess with regard to public
expenditures mean that earnest and
inexorable economy, which proclaims
its existence by accomplished facts.
In the prodigality of the past, you
will find abundant reason for frugality
in the future.
l close these brief observations by re-
turning my thanks to the people of the
State, for that expression of their good
will and pleasure which brings me be-
fore you.
l thank you, gentlemen of the Gen
eral Assembly, and our fellow citizens
here convened, for the respectful atten-
tion with which have been heard;and
1 thank my predecessor for the courte-
sy and urbanity which he has extended
toward me since my arrival in this ci-
ty, when for the first time / had the
pleasure of making his personal ac-
quaintance.
THE FINALE.
There was tremendous applause at
the close of the address, and loud calls
for Gov. Noyes followed. The crowd
insisted, and the Ex-Governor finally
responded, remarking that he was the
retiring sun, and that the crowd had
heard the rising sun. He expressed his
thanks and resumed his seat amid ap-
plause. Mr.. Allen proceeded to the
Governors Office, where he met many
friends. The other State officers were
sworn in in their respective offices, and
thus ended the final Inauguration GER
emonies. During the remainder of the
evening the streets resounded with the
music of the bands.
Constitutional Convention.
JAN. Slight petitions were presen-
tod fbrqp 0f fhQrp ockipp for Tho ra