The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-01-16
Inauguration Of Governor Allen His
Address.
INTRODUCED BY GOV. MOVES.

AWUA Coos
INTRODUCED BY GOV. MOVES.
Hon. Edward F. Noyes, the retiring
Governor, introduced the Governor elect
in the following words:
"MY FELLoN CITIZENS: l have the
honor to introduce to you a gentleman
long distinguished in the country's his
tory, and now called by the sovereign
voice of the people to preside over the
interests of the State-the Hon. Will
liam Allen, Governor of Ohio" GGreat
applause.1
THE OATH ADMINISTERED.
Governor Allen arose to his feet, fa-
cling Chief Justice White, of the Su-
preme Court, who administered the oath
of office. The Governor bowed low as
his Affirmative response to the oath pro-
posed by the Chief Justice, and turning
10 the audience, proceeded to deliver the
following, his
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
G1ntIemen 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 pre-
scribed to the Chief Executive officer
of the State
have taken the oath, and shall earn
estly seek to perform the promises it ex-
acts.
At the opening of your session my
predecessor, in his annual message, sub
mitted to you a general statement Of the
condition of the several executive de-
partments of the Government. He
likewise made such suggestionA as s5em-
ed to him necessary and proper.
If at any time during your session the
public interests should, in my judgment,
require me to do so, / will submit 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 ap-
propriate notifications, adjust those
laws to the requirements of the new
Constitution.
For these reasons, you may deem it
unnecessary to alter in any very n,ateri
al particulars, the existing laws, az your
present session.
But there are some legislative acts
which will, believe, attract your i'm
medite attention. These are acts by
which taxes are imposed and appropria-
tions made. Even ifyou were nov con-
vened under ordinary circumstances
you would, believe, feel it to be your
duty to reduce existing taxes and appro-
priations; for it is evident to all men
that the increase Of taxes and public ex-
penditures has flor some years past been
much beyond the actual and rational
necessities of the public service.
But, gentlemen, you are not now con-
vened under ordinary circumstances.
A few months ago, that unde6neable
but tremendous power, called money
panic, impaired violent shock TO the
whole industrial and property system OF
the country.
The well considered plans and calcu-
lations of all men engaged in active bu-
siness, or in the exertion of active labor
were suddenly and thoroughly dcran-
ged. In the universal business anarchy
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 in
comes were instantly and deeply de-
pressed. There was not a farmer, q
manufacturer, 4 merchant, a mechanic
or laborer who did not feel that he
.,
pay his taxes, than he had been before
The distressful effect of this state OF
things was felt by all, but it was more
previously felt by the great body of the
laboring people, because it touched them
at their vital point of subsistence. Ma
ny of these men were unable to find
that regular and renumerative employ
ment SO essential to their well-being,
whilst some of them, especially in 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 char
ity so chara of, and 50 honora-
bic 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 Legisla-
ture of the State to afford the only re-
lief which it has the constitutional pow
er to afford, by the reduction Of the pub
lie taxes, in proportion to the reduced
ability to pay.
Yet, this cannot be done without at
the same time reducing the expenditures
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