The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1874-12-08


In the execution of the several laws
providing for the re organization of the
various Public Institutions, passed all
your last session, the appointments
made by the Executive have, in every
instance, proved to he satisfactory
such appointments having been made
solely with view 10 promote the pub
lc interest, without regard to other con-
slderations, the officers appointed seem
ing to be Influenced in their action by
the same motives which determined
their appointment.
During last summer, the irritation of
feeling in the mining districts arising
out of the disagreement between the
mine owners and miners assumed, in
one instance, form of intensity which
seriously imperilled the public peace
At the itical moment, the prompt in
| terpositlon Of the moral authority of
the State was found sufficient to allay
the eXasperation of passions, and to
reassure peace and harmony, withc ut q
resort to The material power of the
State.
An earnest effort has been made by
the Adjutant General to collect the
Ohio war claims against the General
Government. He has succeeded in col
Letting and placing in the State Treas
ury the sum of S35,7Sl 9S. A balance
remains uncollected of S275.9SS S4,
but little of which will be collected, un-
less further legislation be had by Con-
gress. For the details respecting these
claims you are referred TO the Report Of
the Adjutant. General.
At the close of the fiscal year 1873,
there were thirty-two military compa-
nies in the State, Of all branches of the
service. There are now forty-one com
panies; twenty-five unattached compa-
nies of infantry; one battery of artillery
of four guns, and two batteries of two
guns each This increase eviDces re-
vival Of interest in our volunteer mill
tary organizations The security OF
every community is enhanced by we'll
organized militia; and trust that our
military companies, in which We all feel
just pride, will receive the fostering
care of the State.
!, The general financial depression has
been felt by the railroad interest of the
State more than by any other interest
: But few new lines have been projected
/, and several roads that would have been
built under more favorable c:rcumstan.
ces have been temporarily abandoned.
The Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Chicago
Company has completed one hundred
and ten miles of new track during the
year the gainesville and Youngstown
. Company has completed thirty nine
miles of narrow-gauge track; the Ma.
retta, Pittsburgh and Cleveland Com
f pany has completed nineteen miles OF
new track; the Lake Erie and Louis
! vile Company has completed cigh'
r miles the Toledo and Maumee Com
pany has completed seven miles; thu
! Mansfield, Coldwater and Lake Michi
gan Company has completed twenty
. seven miles the Baltimore Short Line
, Company has completed thirty miles
and the Cincinnati and Whitewater
| Valley Company has completed two
miles. This makes total of nearly
E two hundred and forty-five miles of new
2 track
Railroads are not only of great util-
ity, but have become necessity to th,
country. They should not be hamper
ed by vindictive and veXatious legisla
a tion; hut, as the servants of the peo
pie, enjoying peculiar franchises, they
should be held strictly amenable to ju
Gicious legislation that will prevent
: them from becoming the masters fatht
people Their rights should be full.
) protected by law, and the rights of th
A people should be protected against sucl
: encroachments as tend to make then
: the victims of monopoly.
e At your former session you perform
!. ed all act of justice and mercy for th
| men who delve in our mines, by enactins
: the law "To regulate mines and mining
!. and to provide for State Inspector o
i Mines" A practical miner of intelli
gence and education was appointed, wh'
!. has displayed great energy in the en-
4 forcement of the act. He has PERSONAL,
visited and inspected two-thirds Of th
5 mines in the State; and the good effects
S of the law are recognized already,in i'm
r proved ventilation and otter changes
t which have conduced greatly TO the com
!. fort of the miners. The General Assem-
bly, should follow up its recent action b.
S such further legislation as may be foun'
e necessary to the accomplishment of tn
d beneficial objects sought to be attained
: In the Inaugural Address which hat
# the honor to deliver before the Genera
!, Assembly, I strongly urged reduction
S of the expenditures of the State Govern
h ment down to the very last dollar com
S patible with the maintenance OF the pub
lie credit and the efficient working of th
+ several departments of the Government
L and | insisted that it should not be tina
: vague and mere verbal economy whic
: public men are so ready to profess wit
e regard to public expenditures, but tina
S eaInes: and inexorable economy whic
e proclaims its existence by accomplished
j. facts In the midst of the existing finan
! cial distress, with so many OF our fellow
e citizens out of employment, and wage
Il everywhere reduced, l most earnestly re
: new the recommendation then made
The State should not embark in neN
/ building enterprises uEtil the publ
o buildings now in process of constructio
It shall have been completed; new office
: should not be created; and your presen
It session should be brought to a close
t the earliest moment when, in your jude
ment, the public business will allow :
D The evidence you gave at your last ses
/ sion of determination to retreneh, b
reducing the tax levy S474,00O. and b.
D other acts of legislation, has encourages
/, the people of the State to believe tha
f economy and prudence will govern a
t your actions in the matter of public eS
t penditures.
q 1t is question for your serious con
: sidera!ion, whether the compensation G
: our county officers is not disproportion
ate to the salaries of other public off
= GERS, and of persons in private life
}, Public servants should be reasonabl
compensated; but salaries and fee
Al.