The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-01-14
INAUGURATION or GOVERNOR
HiAES.
The Military Parade and CPrem0n-
ies-Sh0rt speech Of Governor
Allen-ThP Inaugural
Address.

COLUMBUS. Jannary 10.-Fhe innu-
guration of Governor Hayes took place
to-day, in the order OF ceremonies indi-
Gated in the published programme.
Long before the hour of the ceremonies,
crowds began to gather in the rOtunda of
the Capitol where a rongh platform had
been erected and overhung with two or
three banners from the Flag room, and,
at 2 o'clock, a dense mass of people fill
ed the rotunda and the four broad cor
ridors leading out in opposite directions
therefrom, and occupied the long flights
of stairs, filling every available foot of
space. The sudden change of weather,
from the mild days of last week to pierc-
ing cold, made it impracticable TO hold
the exercises on the East terrace, in the
open air, and deprived thousands of
persons of the opportunity to witness
simple ceremonies that mark the transi
ton from a citizen to Chief Magistrate.
The procession, which moved ont
Broad street at o'clock to escort the
Governor-elect, to the Capitol. consisted
of company of regular United States
infantry from the Columbus Barracks,
preceded by the famous Newport Bar
racks Band, and followed by the Spring
field Champion City Guards. Cleveland
Grays and Columbus Cadets, with hands.
and squad of the Cleveland and Sixth
Ward Club bearing n banner with the
figures of Hayes celebrated majority on
that banner ward of the State. The
police had great difficulty in opening a
passage way for the officers-elect and
other privileged persons through the
crowd in the rotunda; but with this ac-
complished, the platform was occupied
by the Judges Of the Supreme Conrt
and State officers. Governor Allen oc-
cupied seat in front, and at his left sat
his successor.
After an invocation by Rev. r. 6.
Hutchins, which the din of voices re-
sounding through the corridors of the
vast building rendered it impossible for
human ears to hear at three yards dist
ance, Governor Allen rose and said:
Fellow citizens have the honor to
introduce to you your Governor elect
General r. B. Hayes, who will now take
the oath of Office prescribed by the Con.
stitntion, and have no doubt that he
will be punctilious in the discharge ot
office Of myself, in retiring from Office
1 have not a word to say. [Applause.
THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
Fellow Citizens of the General Assembly:
Questions of National concern, in the
existing condition of public affairs, may
we'll be left to those officers tn whom
the people, in conformity with the Con
stifution of the United States, have con.
fided the important duties and responsi
bilities of the various departments of thC
| General Government.
During the term for which you have
| State devolves on you the task of deal
ing with many subjects very interesting
to the people of Ohio. The duty o
communicating to yon the condition o
the State, and of recommending mea
snres deemed expe,lient, WAS performe'
at the opening Of your present session b!
the distinguished citizen who has pre-
ceded me in the executive office. il
! complying with the usage which require
me to appear before Won on this occasion
| am, therefore, relieved from the ne
ces<ity Of entering upon any extensiv
examination of the subjects which will
claim your attention. There are, how
ever, few topics on which brief suggeF
tions may, perhaps, be profitably sub
mitted.
The attention of the Legislature ha
often heen earnestly invoked to tn
rapid increa-e of municipal and othe
local expenditures, and the consequen
augmentation Of local taxation and loca
Indebtedness. This increase is foun
mainly in the cities and large towns.
ia certainly great evil. How TO gov
ern cities we'll, consistently with tn
principles and methods of popular gov
ernment, is one of the most importan
and difficult problems Of our time. Pro
fligate expenditure is the fruitful caus
ofmunicipal misgovernment. If a mean
can be found which will keep municipa
expenses from largely exceeding tn
public necessities, its adoption will g
: far towards securing honesty and eff
cheney in city affairs. In cities larg
debts and bad government go together
Cities which have the lighiest taxes an
smallest debts are apt to have the puI
est and most satisfactory governments.
The following statement, showing tn
increase of municipal taxation and in
debtedness in the cities and large town
of Ohio, onght 10 arrest attention.
In 1871, IN thirty.nne of the principl
cities and towns of the State, the aver
age rate of taxation was twenty -thre
and one-tenth mills on the dollar. TIL
| lOldl duiOuui VI ldAtH ItNltaI Ihi pun
poses was So, ,9SS. .064. The total indebt
edness was 81 ,197 ,Oe2.
In 1875, in the same cities and towns
the average rate of taxation was twenty
eight and three -tenths mills on the do
lar. The total amount of taxes levie
, for all purposes was $l2, 2,36l,934. TIL
total Indebtedness was $40, 800, ,491.
The salient points in this statemer
are, that in four years the rate of mum
cipal taxation has increased almo'
} twenty five per cent. the total amount {
municipal taxes has increased over thii
; ty-seven per cent. and municipal indeh
/ edness has increased about one hundre
and ninety per cent. or more than thil
; teen and half million of dollars.
, this great increase of burdens afecte
4 directly the whole people Of the Stat
D they would give their agents in the les
; islative and executive departments of tn
1 Ctata Govarnmant M paaoa INIT