The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1874-01-20
Inaugural Address of Governor
William Allen al Columbus,
Ohio. January IL, lS14.

ADduSuraA AOOrebS Oh 1OVeEuOT
William Allen al Columbus,
Ohio. January IL, 1874.
GENTLEMEN OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY :
The events Of October have made it
my duty to appear before you, and in
your presence to take the oath prescri
bed to the Chief Executive officer of the
State
I have taken the oath. and shall earn
est'y seek to perform the promises 1t
exacts.
At the opening of your session my
predecessor, in his annual message, sub
nitted to you general statement of the
condition of the several executive de
partnients of the government. He like
wise made such suggestions as seemed
to bin necessary and proper.
If at any time during your session
the public interests should, in my judg
ment, require me to dc so, will sub
nit to you some additional suggestions
in the form of a special message.
The Constitutional Convention; now
in session, will no doubt complete its
important labors and submit the result
for ratification by the people during the
current year.
Should such ratification be obtained;
your next session will be one of extra
ordinary labor You will then be re-
quired to revise the whole body of the
general laws of the State, and by appro-
pirate notifications, adjust those laws
to the requirements OF the new Consd
tuition.
For these reasons you may deem 1t
unnecessary to alter in any very mate
rial particulars, the existing laws, at
your present session.
Bnt there are some legislative acts
which will, I believe, attract your i'm
mediate attention. These are the acts
by which taxes are imposed and appro-
priations made Even if you we're now
convened under ordinary circumstan-
ces, you would, I believe; feel it to be
your duty to reduce existing taxes and
appropriations; for 1t is evident to all
men that the increase Of taxes and pub
lie expenditures has for some years past
been much beyond the actual and ra-
tional necessities of the public service.
But, gentlemen, you are not now con-
vened under ordinary circumstances.
A few months ago, that undefinable
but tremendous power, called a money
panic, impaired violent shock to the
whole industrial and property system OF
the country.
The wel-considered plans and calcu-
lations Of all men engaged in active bu-
siness, or in the exertion Of active la
Dor, 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 OF
what to omit, even through the briel
futurity of single week. All values
and all incomes were instantly and
deeply depressed. There was not far.
mer, manufacturer, merchant, me
chanic, or laboreT, who did not fee
that he was less able to meet his en-
gagenents, or pay his taxes, than he
had been before. The distressful effeci
of this state of things was felt by all
but it was more grievously felt by the
great body of the laboring people, be
cause it touched them at the vital poin
J of subsistence. Many of these mel
we're unable to find that regular and re
munerative employment so essential tt
their well-being, whilst some of them
especially in the large towns and cities
would have suffered for the want of th
! nutriment upon which the continuance
, Of life depends, but for that promp
. humanity and charity so characteristic
! cf, and so honorable to the Who'll
American people
1t is in the midst of this condition o
f things that you are now convened; ant
/, it is manifestly the duty Of the Legisla
ture Of the State to afford the only re
lief which it has the constitutional pow
e er to afford, by the reduction of th
r public taxes, in proportion to the re
: duced ability of the people to pay
Yet, this cannot be done without q
the same time reducing the expenditure
of the State Government down to tn
very last dollar compatible with tn
maintenance of the public credit of tn
State, and the efficient working of tn
n State Government, under the ever pre-:
ent sense of necessary economy. d
n not mean that vague and mere verbs
: economy which public men are so read
r to profess with regard to public exper
o dltures-I mean that earnest and inc,
!. orable economy, which proclaims il
# existence by accomplised facts.
r In the prodigality of the past, 70
will find abundant reason for frugalit
in the future.
4 l close these brief observations b
: returning my thanks to the people
the State, for that expression of the
O good will and pleasure which brings n
J, before you.
= I thank you, gentlemen of the Gel
a eraI Assembly, and our fellow either
, here convened, for the respectful attel
+ tion with which have been heard an
# l thank my predecessor for the courtes
> and urbanity which he has extended t.
, ward me since my arrival in this city
f when for the first time l had the plea
b ure of making his personal acquai
+ tance.
20 THE FINALE.
IN There was tremendous applause
A the close of the address, and loud cal
IS for Governor Noyes followed. IT
70 crowd insisted, and the ex-Govern'
lie finally responded, remarking that
le was the retiring sun, and that the CROW
8. had heard the rising sun. He expires
in ed his thanks ana resumed his Sc
amid applause. Mr.. Potter then diret
I'd ed the Senate to return to the chambe
ID where Lieutenant Governor Alphon
es Hart was sworn in. Mr.. Allen proce
= 6ed to the Governors Office, where
met many friends. The other Sta
10 officers were sworn in in their respet
q i've offices, and thus ended the final
of augura,ion cert monies During the I
lie mainder Of the evening the streets
of sounded with the music of the bands.
ne
q A New Thermometer.
aS Ioo Mon1os dos ecr;hoa a m O ri imum q,