Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1874-01-17

and 1t is manifestly the duty of the
Legislature of the State to afford the
only relief which it has the eonstitu-
tional power to afford, by the reduc-
ton of the public taxes, in proper
ton to the reduced ability of the peo-
pie to pay.
Yet, this cannot be done without
at the same time reducing the ex-
penditures of the State Government
down to the very last dollar compat-
ible with the maintenance of the pub
lie credit of the State, and the eff
cient working of the State Govern
ment, under the ever present sense of
necessary economy. | do not mean
that vague and mere verbal economy
which public men are so ready to
profess with regard to public expend-
itures-I mean that earnest and in
exorable economy, which proclaims
its existence by accomplished facts.
In the prodigality of the past, you
will find abundant reason for frugal
ity in the future.
EXPRESSION OF THANKS.
l close these brief observations by
returning my thanks to the people of
the State, for that expression of their
good will and pleasure which brings
me before you.
l thank you, Gentlemen of the
General Assembly, and our fellow
citizens here convened, for the re-
spectful attention with which have
been heard; and l thank my prede-
cessor for the courtesy and urbanity
which he has extended towards me
since my arrival in this city; when
for the first time l had the pleasure
of making his personal acquaintance.
THE OATH OF OFFICE ADMINISTERED.
The oath of office was then admin
istered by the Chief Justice of the
Supreme Court, when Governor Al
len was escorted to his room in the
State House.
OUR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.
The membsrs of the Senate and
House of Representatives assembled
in the Senate Chamber and the oath
of office was administered to Lieu
tenant Governor A. Hart. Mr.. Hart
spoke as follows:
1t. GOVERNOR HART's INAUGURAL.
SENATORS l enter upon the office
to which l have been chosen by the
people of the State with a desire to
its duties faithfully and
and in such a way as to
secure the rapid and correct transac-
tion of the business which may come
before the Senate. The constitution
and laws of the State, so far as they
are applicable, together with the
rules adopted by your body for its
government, will be strictly obser-
we'd. If mistakes ale made you will
correct them and | shall rely largely
for my success and efficiency in this
position upon your active co-opera-
tion and assistance.
Ohio, though one of the youngest
in point of wealth and political pow
er, stands among the very foremost
of the States of the Union. With
so many important interests to be
protected and guarded there will be
at all times a demand for Legislative
action, and those persons who look
upon the Office of a legislator as a
mere sinecure, utterly misapprehend
the duties and responsibilities of
that position.
This Senate chamber is a place for
earnest painstaking labor, and the
session upon which we have entered
will be in the highest sense, a har-
monious working session. One of |
the great evils of our time is too
much hasty legislation, and as a re-
suit every legislature-is required to |
spend a portion of its time repeating |
or modifying enactments inconsider- |
ately passed by its predecessor.
To-day, it seems to me, the great |
need of the State is not so much the
of laws as the modification
md condensation of those in force.
While the legislation of the State is
subject to criticism, it is a matter of
profound satisfaction and pride that
Turing the seventy-two years of the
lfe of the State no charge of corrup-
ion has ever been Justly made
.gainst any General Assembly of
)hio.
1 anticipate pleasant session and
nd trust the work accomplished
lere will not only be of permanent
'alue to the people but that all our
will be conducted with
hat dignity and courtesy which so
1ell become members of an import
Mt legislative assembly.