The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1876-01-13
and my predecessors, may require some &C.

ton on the part of the Seneral Assembly.
Section 3 of Article VII of the Constitution
provides that "the Governor shall have
power to fill all vacancies that may occur in
the offices aforesaid (members of Boards of
State institutions,) until the next session of
the General Assembly, and a successor to
his appointee shall be confirmed and quali-
fed" Executives have always acted upon
the Interpretation that the expiration of a
| term of office created "vacancy" within
the meaning of the laws and the Constitu-
ton. The Court has decided otherwise,
and, l think, the General Assembly
should declare by statute that the
| expiration of a term of Office creates
"vacancy" in the meaning of the
| laws, where the Governor is authorized to
| fill vacancies "occasioned by death, resigna-
| ton or otherwise" The Executive should
have the power to make his appointments as
terms of service expire, enabling him to
have full opportunities for securing the best
men, and TO have knowledge of the con-
duet of officials up to the time of the expira-
| ton of their terms, instead of being COM
| PEELED to make them months in advance, to
secure the consent of the Senate before they
| are entitled to enter upon the discharge of
| their duties. The expiration OF the term for
| which an officer is appointed shouldehost
| certainly constitute vacancy which the
Governor should have the power to fill, as
he is now authorized to fill vacancies Occa-
stoned by death or resignation.
Under the operations of the act OF
the last General Assembly, To Regulate
Mines and Mining" there has been
marked Improvement in the ventilation
of the mines in most of the mining dis
tricts of the State; and more improved plans
of mining are being applied, and the num-
Der of serious and fatal accidents have ma
terially decreased. The operators are gen.
orally satisfied with the law and the man.
ner of its enforcement, and the miners are
grateful for the many changes conducting to
their safety and health. 1t has been suggested
that Department of Mining might be ad-
vantageously connected with the Agricul-
tural and Mechanical College, offering young
men an opportunity to secnre those scien-
tifc acaufrements which will materially aid
in fitting them for the responsible positions
of superintendents of mines and mining en-
gineers. The law needs slight amendment,
so as to provide penalties for violating some
of its provisions.
The railroad interest has continued In
depressed state. But little more than forty
miles of new track have been laid during
| the past year, and most of that on changes
or additions to existing lines. Several new
projects, however, have been successfully
put on foot, and we may anticipate mate
rial revival in railroad building during the
| year to come. rsal
During the past year, more than ordinary
zeal manifested itself in the State for the
organization of military companies. Fifty
one new organizations were formed. The
total force Of the State, at this time, is four
battalions, and ffty-nine companies OF IN
fantry, and eleven artillery companies, con-
stituting an effective body of 4, Az men.
This military spirit has been largely stimu-
lated by the industry and zeal of the Adlu-
nt-General.
| In the interest of the State, and for the
announcement of the military, the Adjutant
General has secured a settlement with the
United States under the act of Congress ap-
proved March 8, 1875, whereby the State re-
| ceived credit on its arms and ordnance
account of S149, ,S00.05, which settled all the
Indebtedness of the State to the United
States for arms drawn in 1868, and placed at
the credit of the State the sum of S44,771.14
in arms, upon which acquisitions have been
made for improved arms to the amount OF
| S44,320. These arms have been distributed
among the military companies OF the State,
and will place them, as far as equipment is
concerned, in an excellent condition. All
of the State war claims that were supposed
to be collectable under the laws OF Congress
were presented to the United States
previous to the year 1874. The total
amount of these claims was 1926, 1851 all
of which were represented as valid accounts
against the United States. OF this sum
the United States had paid $2,959, 1874. 3d.
leaving a balance outstanding, November
Is, 1875, of $275, ,9S4.S5, on which there was
paid December 81, 1875, the sum OF St, ,51S.21,
on special settlement forwarded by the Ad.
iutant General, February q, 1875, leaving a
balance yet unpaid of $270, ,4O6.55. This
amount consists in claims that are disaliowed
or suspended for want of proper evidence
which it is impossible for the State to obtain
1t is not probable that any additional mum
Der of these claims can be collected unless
there is further legislation by Congress.
We have now entered upon the Centennial
wear of our national existence. The efforts
which have been made to insure O proper
celebration Of the important event at the
city of the nations birth have been crowned
with great success. The principal nations
of the world have signi6ed their intention
to participate, through their representative
at the national capital, and the President oi
the United States, in his recent message, ma
recommended to Congress that it more fully
! invest it with national significance. Tht
different States of the Union are vieing viii
each other in friendly and patriotic rivalry
!: in the effort to make creditable exhibl
ton of their growth and resources
and Ohio, the third in population ant
wealth, and the equal of any in its natura
! resources, should not lack in appreciation
of the interesting event, or lag in its effort
: to make such an exhibition as will give /
its proper place in the rank Of States. Ou
efficient Board of State Centennial Manager
have been laboring with great energy, ant
t are cheered by the belief that their effort
r have been successful in creating an interes
e which will insure such a representation
t will be matter of pride to every citizen
: the State. respectfully recommend tina
: YOU grant them such reasonable aid as the.
r NAV REQUIRE to complete their arrangement
: and secure the success of their labors.
0 In this connection it may be matte
}. worthy of consideration whether Just al
# probation of the benefits secured to us b
: the Declaration of Independence, and tn
IS innumerable blessings which have foliowe
e in their train, viii not justify cele6rato
u under State auspices at the State Capltoi
It the coming Fourth day of July. 1tseems
II me that the memorable epoch, our Gel
tennial Anniversary, is worthy of State
l. well as National recognition, especially
J. the Declaration of Independence was
s Declaration of States.
b The matter of professional vagrancy is on
r worthy of your attention. l am well awal
E that, owing to the general paralyzation
K business, great many nonest anu inuu
S, trious men are out of employment, and
t, their efforts to find remunerative labor
ii from place to place with honest purpos
re But within a few years class Of vagranl
lie have grown up in our midst, who seize Il
y. dullness of business as pretext to roam ov
rs the country with no purpose except to
ic cure living by begging or illicit mean mean
c. The evil should be arrested at once. II
ly question is a difficult and delicate on
Honest search for employment must not
p branded as crime, but yagrancy is misd
in meanor in itself, which the law should su
ne press. Icommend the matter to your W
e. dom, believing you will fined its solution.
&C. l earnestly recommend that you Purs
Id steadfastly the path of retrenchment, a.
al that you heed not the influences which W
d, attempt to lure you into extravagant ent
or prises. The State needs no new buiidin
he or additional lands at this time. Our =
of fortunates are humanely treated, and, ar
in the completion of the Central Hospital
ly the Insane, will be amply provided for.
en- this season of business prostration, the p
lie. pie have right to demand that the pub
te- expenses be cut down and the taxes redue
an to the last dollar possible to secure proI
be administration of the functions OF the st