The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1876-01-06

opening prison doors for the release Of men
whose innocence l had become entirely con-
.inced, confirms me in the belief that every ae-
permitted to testify under oath in his own
behalf. 4 am aware o. the objections
with which this suggestion will be met;
unfavorably for the accused. Whatever force
there may be in this objection is. l am satisfied,
more than met by the consideration that to deny a
man who Is willing to subject himself to cxamina-
ton and cross-examination under oath the right to
do SO in fact establishes to some extent a pre-
sumption Of guilt against him. | earnestly COM
mend this subject to the consideration OF the Gen
eral Assembly.
While upon this subject 1 the repeal
OF the provision introduced into the code, allow
ing changes of venue in preliminary examinations.
Its presence In the statutes, | am convinced, in
creases expense, interferes with justice, and Sc
cures no substantial rights.
ne Jury System Entertaining, as I do, the
protoundeIt veneration for this legacy Of our an
csstors, l yet do not think it beyond the reach OF
improvement. The requirement of unarimity in
ajury in order to a verdict l cannot but look upon
as an antique absurdity, which has too long fet-
tered tho administration of Justice. l there
fore TINT steps be taken to do away
with the requirement, and thus to conform our
jury system more nearly to modern ideas and
practical common sense.
Tile Public Heath.-Theim importance Of the sub
1ect Of public health has impressed itself SO upon
the public mind throughout the country that in
several Of our sister Commonwealth State Boards
have been established having cogniZance thereof
with more or less limited powers. l submit to the
General Assembly the propriety of adopting this or
some other measure Of q comprehensive character
for the public health, believing no subject to be
more deserving Of the attention Of the sagacious
legislator.
The Contingent Fund.-In my former message
! stated that Of the appropriation made by the
Fourteenth General Assembly for the contingent
expenses Of the Executive office I had expended
81 .303. 6S. have now to report an additional ex-
penditure under that appropriation Of $3.50 max
ing an aggregate Of $1,Si0.62, of which fl,6so.44
was expended for clerk hire, $3.50 for telegraph
dispatches, s. so visiting the Penitentiary, $S.S5 for
visiting other public institutions. and $1sl.s5 for
other purposes. The amount of the appropriation
undrswn and remaining in the Treasury
BY tn. fifteenth General Assembly for tn. same
purposes, as required by the code, / rendered an
itemized statement to the Auditor Of State OF the
expenditures for the fiscal term, ending Oct. 81;
1875, smo uniting to s1,s42.M, Since that time I
have expended $22 for elerk-hire, making an ag-
gregate outlay OF s., l14.91. OF this S273.38 was
expended for the expenses Of Gen: N. b. Baker
visit the counties devastated by the srasshoppers,
and to report upon their condition. The balance
remaining undrawn in the Treasury is Sl,3s5.O9.
COMPENSATION OF PUBLIC oFFIeBRs.
One of the Judges Of the Supreme Court has filed
in the Executive office his resignation, to take eff
feet on the 18th day of the present month. He as
signs as a reason for his retirement that the salary
is inadequate to meet the expenses of his family.
L do not believe in the payment OF exorbitant sal
aries to public officials; and still it would
be well for the General Assembly to give
some consideration to the question OF sal
aries. In the case Of judicial Officers it is
both wisdom and economy to pay such
salaries as will secure the highest talent not
only for the Supreme Bench, but for the District
and Circuit Courts. And while upon this ques-
ton Of salaries l desire to say that any salary
paid to an official who sabordinates public duty
is exorbitant. But the public officer who devotes
himself with singieness Of purpose to the
duties Of his Office, making his private interests
secondary to those ofthe public, should be paid for
his labor. | know that it requires economical ly-
ing to make the Governors salary meet the ex-
penses of a family; and as l am about to retire from
this office it is proper for me to say that would
be glad to see my successor more literally PAID.
But while saving this it Is but Just that l should
state my opinion that the officers in the other de-
rtmeu OF the State Government receive smaller
proportional salaries than does the Governor. l
1no0 the present officers OF this State, and know
that their time and talcnts are enthusiastically and
entirely devoted to their public duties, and would
be glad to see them paid so that they can pay rea-
families. and by prudent management have o pit
lance left at the close of each year.
This concludes my message sid my offcial re-
lation to the people of Iowa. The distinguished
gentleman whom the people have called to sue
coed me resumes a position which be laid down
twelve years ago. The Iowa of which he was then
Governor contained 701 1872 inhabitants; that OF
which he will be inaugurated the Governor in this
centennial year returns by census 1,35O,544 human
souls, and a proportionately much larger increase
of material wealth. In retiring, therefore, l
can only wish for my State, in whose every
rill and river and grove and prairie, and all the
people within her borders, my interest can only
cease wh.. l sleep in her soil, that the prosperity
of ths past NAV symboliZe the glories OF the fu-
ture. And while her people pursue the same pur-
poses. are .uided by the same virtues, illustrate
the same patriotism and trust in the same God as
did those who have gone before. their continued
prosperity and happiness will be assured.
CYRUS C. CARPENTER.