Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1874-01-15

oOfCASiSA 'OhSS VI bhS pSSPAS w Pr
side over the interests of our State
William Allen, Governor OF
Ohio.
After tremendous and long con-
tinued cheering by the immense
crowd, Governor Allen spoke as fol
lows:
ADDRESS OF GOVERNOR
ALLEN.
COLUMBUS, Jan. 18th. Gentlemen
of the General Assembly:
The event of October have made
it my duty to appear before you, land
In your presence, to take the oath
prescribed to the Chief Executive
office of the State.
1 have taken the oath, and shall
earnestly seek to perform the prom
ises it exacts.
NO GENERAL SUGGESTIONS.
At the opening of your session
my predecessor, in his annual mes
sage, submitted to you a genera
statement of the condition of The
several executive departments of the
Government. He likewise mad,
such suggestions as seemed to hin
necessary and proper.
If at any time during your session
the public interests should, in my
judgment, reqnire me to do so.
will submit to you some additiona
suggestions in the form of specia
message.
MUCH LEGISLATION TO BE AVOIDED.
The Constitutional Convention
now in session, will no doubt com
plete It's important labors and sub
NIT the result for ratification by the
people during the current year.
Should such ratification be OBJ
tanned, your next session will be one
of extraordinary labor. You will
then be required to revise the whole
body of the general laws of the State
and by appropriate notifications, ,ad.
just those laws to the requirements
of the New Constitution.
For these reasons, you may deem
it unnecessary to alter in any very
material particulars, the existing
laws, at your present session.
EXPENDITURES AND TAXES MUST BE RE.
DUCED.
But there are some legislative acts
which will 1 believe, attract your i'm
mediate attention. These are the
acts by which taxes are imposed and
appropriations made. Even if you
were now convinced under ordinary
circumstances, you would 1 believe
feel it to be your duty to reduce
existing taxes and appropriations;
for it is evident to all men that the
increase Of taxes and public expen.
ditures has for some years past beer
much beyond the actual and ration.
al necessities of the public service.
But, gentlemen, you are not now
convened under ordinary circum
stances.
A few months ago that undefinable
but tremendous power called mon.
ey panic, impaired a violent shock
to the whole industrial and property
system of the country.
fhe well considered plans and
calculations of all men engaged
in active business, or in the exer
ton of active labor, were suddenly
and thoroughly dera1ged. In the
universal business anarchy that en-.
sued, the minds of men became more
or less bewildered 80 that few among
them were able distinctly, to see
their way, or know what to do OF
what to omit, even through the briei
futurity of single week. All val
ues and all incomes were instantly
and deeply depressed. There was
net a farmer, a manufacturer, a mer.
chant, a mechanic, or laborer, who
did not feel that he was less able to
meet his engagements, or pay his
taxes, then 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, be.
cause 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 we'll being, whilst
some of them, especially in the large
towns and cities, would have suffer
ed for the want of the nutriment up-
on which the continuance of life de-
pends, but for that prompt humani.
ty and charity SO characteristic of,
and SO honorable to the whole
people.
1t is in the midst of this condi-
tion of things that you are now con-
vened; and it is manifestly the duty
of the Legislature of the State to af-
ford the only relief which it has the
constitutional power to afford, by
the reduction of the public taxes, In
proportion to the reduced 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
of the public credit of the
State, and the efficient working of the
State Government, under the ever pres
mt sense eff necessary economy. / do
not mean that vague and mere verbal
which public men are so ready
% profess with regard to public expen-
mean that earnest and inex-
,rable economy, which proclaims its
existence by accomplished facts.
In the prodigality of the past, you
will find abundant reason for frugality
y tho future.
EXPRESSION OF THANKS.
/ close these brief observations by re-
;urning my thanks to the people of the
State, for that expression of their good
will and pleasure which brings me be-
ore you.
thank you, gentlemen of the Gener-
Il Assembly, and our fellow citizens
lere convened, for the respectful atten-
ion with which have been heard and
thank my predecessor for the courtesy
md urbanity which he has extended to-
wards me since my arrival in this city;
when for the first time had the pleas
ire of making his personal acquaint-
nee.