The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-04-15
THE zNAUGU URAL.


W.
The following is Mayor Johnston's address,
delivered this afternoon on the occasion OF his
second inauguration as Mayor of Cincinnati:
MIR. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN OF THE
COMMON CoUNCIL-Called for the second time
by the votes of my fellow citizens to discharge
insensible to SO distinguished mark Of public
favor. The Mayoralty, always an arduous
and difficult position to satisfactorily fill, has
by late enactments beeen rendered still more
the place, by its enlightenment in regard to the
character OF Its functions, has only made me
again assume its duties with great oistrust as
to my ability to fultlrthc expectations OF those
who have hOnored me with their suffrages.
One thing l can safely promise, and that is, if
any mistakes are made. 1T will not be because
have not given the subject wherein they are
committed every possible attention. enter
ain the highest sense OF my official RESPONSE
bIlity. To preserve the public peace in city
Of near three hundred thousand people, made
up OF diverse Classes of population, having, OF
course, its full proportion OF the depraved ele-
ment, is no light un 'ertaking. 1t is a source OF
satisfaction that during my term there has
been no serious popular outbreaks, nothing, in
fact, that was not easily repressed by the Ordi-
nary efforts OF the police. l can only hope
that at the end of the present torn, which l
am now commencing, shall have been equal
ly fortunate. l know that if any. occasion
should arise, when, as Mayor, it would be my
duty TO come in collision with hedsorderly
classes, l should be cordially supported by the
great mass Of the people.
shall do my duty in the future as In the
past 1t Will be my aim to SO control the police
as to, at all times, preserve peace and quiet,
and afford to every citizen his right to pursue
his business, or indulge in innocent recreation
and enjoyment, or attend places OF public wor-
ship without annoyance from any quarter, or
without his sensbilitles being offended by un-
seemly exhibitions.
| can congratulate you upon the rapid pro
grcss toward completion of the Southern Rail-
road. The indications are that Cinclnnatipwill
have an opportunity in the centennial year Of
our Independence to also locally rejoice over
one Of the greatest enterprises that was ever
accompli shed by any city in the world The
heavy expenditures in this great work neces-
sta tes large increase In our taxation. | can
not too strongly impress upon you the impor-
tance of retrenchment, In every branch Of the
city government.
trust that you will be able to materially cut
down tho appropriations without seriously i'm
pairing the efficiency OF the public service.
Until the Southern Railroad is built and dis
posed OF by the city to private company for
at least its cost Of construction, there should be
no other large WORKS or improvements en-
barked in by the city. We can not do too much
at once. l take it for granted that when the
Southern road is finished it will be sold as soon
as proper purchasers can be found who will
give fair price for it, accompanied with such
stipulations as wilr protect our commercial IN
terests in the running Of the road. 1t is not
the prcrOgative of the city or of any govern
ment to own and manage business enterprise
of any description.
Governments are organized to protect all per-
sons in their rights. 1t is not designed to pro-
tect any ones interest. That can not be ac-
cOmpllshed without inj ustice to the fesidue of
the community. Every opportunity should be
embraced to divorce the city from every de-
partment that car be better managed by indi-
vidual skill and ability. see no reason why q
considerable portion OF the work, now directed
to be performed Dy the city government, should
not be letout MS the county work is, upon ad-
vertisement, to the lowest bidder. Such pol
icy would, l am confident result in large
saving to the city and at the same time abate q
great source Of political complaint and give
additional scope to individual energy.
The debt proper Of the city is between 49, 600, =
OOO and s7,O6O,O6O. There has been no increase
durings the last two years. There have been
some appropriations necessary TO carry out the
contracts and fulfill the obligations Of the old
Boaras, but these contracts and obligations,
although not matured, were prospective debt
for which the last two Councils were in no.
wise responsible.
/ The many instances Of corruption which
have been discovered in the legislative bodies,
in the United States. in the last few years,
have very painfully excited the public mind.
Those in legislative OF executive positions,
from regard for their own reputation, rs well
as for the public interest, can not be too care
full in seeing tC it that they favo: no measure
in which, to use an expressive phrase, there is
q job, or any intlica ion Of personal fayOritlsm,
at the public expense.
There is no government that more directly
affects every citizen than that which is under
tho control Of your honorable Boards. The
State and Federal Governments are remote.
Yours Is immediate. Upon you, IN The wisdom
Of your action, rests, i'll a large degree, the
protection OF the lives and property Of the peo-
pie. In your legislation IL woutl be well to re-
member that we are very cosmopolitan city.
That We have a population that differs largely
in their customs, habits and tastes, anu that
broad and liberal views in regard to every
thing which touches the individual character
stics of these different types OF mankind. 1t
is not to be expected that III ,ir ideas will cor
respond on what may be tea med strictly moral
questions. But all agree i'll the duty of lS-
pressing that which is, In it's nature, criminal
and vicious.
Our municipal experience has taught us the
value Of the late checks which have been put in
Our municipal code upon hasty and inconsider-
ate legislation.
Ihc crsation of second Board IN your body
has more than fulfilled the greatest exDect;-
lions of its friends. This was strikingly
cvinced by the excitement which agitatcd the
public mind upon the receipt of intelligence
that it had been abolished through n IN stake
OF the General Assembly Of Ohio 1t is gratify
ing to know that we eventually. escaped tho
great trouble and anarchy into which our mu-
nicipal affairs would have been plunged il the
error had not been discovered and rcctified in
time. In this connection there is another very
useful restraint upon improper and corrupt
practices, which, although adopted by the
General Assembly, has never yet been put in
practical operation