The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1876-01-13


pensive building; but the same money ex'
pended on three or four smaller institutions,
properly located, would, in my judgment,
have much better subserved the interests of
the insane. In appropriations for future
public buildings, this is matter worthy the
consideration of the General Assembly.
The Board of Construction and the officers
under them, have been faithful and energetic
and they have pushed the mammoth struc-
ture toward completion at a speed worthy
of hearty commendation.
The Constitution places the power of ap-
pointment of Boards of State institutions in
the hands Of the Executive. Although the
"adviee and consent" of the Senate is re-
quired to confirm and make binding the ac-
ton of the Governor. he is, nevertheless, held
responsible to the public for the official
character of his appointees. He should,
therefore, have greater range to his power for
removal. Under the laws as they exist, the
Governor is utterly powerless to get rid OF
an incompetent or immoral appointee In
many of our Institutions. The law generally
authorizes removal "for cause" and then
specifies the cause to be financial turpitude.
He may be immoral, incompetent, or waste
full, but if some financial delinquency can
not be prov ed against him, he can not be
touched. l think the Governor should have
power to suspend members of Boards, and
all other appointees Except judicial) OF the
Executive, for cause which he may deem
sufficient (not political )-being required to
report his action and his reason therefor to
the Senate, Immediately, if in session, andif
not in session, within ten days after the COM
mencement of the next session OF General
Assembly, for its approval; the suspension
to become an absolute removal, if eoneurred
in by the Senate.
recent decision of the Supreme Court,
putting an Interpretation upon the term
Vacancy" as used in our laws, entirely
different from the understanding Of myself
and my predecessors, may require some ac-
ton on the part of the Seneraf Assembly.
Section 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 successor to
his appointee shall be confirmed and quali-
fed" Executives have always acted upon
the Interpretation that the expiration OF
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 term of Office creates
vacancy" in the meaning Of the
laws, where the Governor is authorized to
fill vacancies "occasioned BY death, resigna-
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 a knowledge of the con-
duct of officials up to the time of the expirs-
ton of their terms, instead of being conf
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
] Uhieh m 0f4iaaV ia Qrnniufad eh0uld most
certainly constitute vacancy which the
Governor should have the power to fill, as
he is now authorized to fill vacancies 0cca-
stoned by death or orresignation.
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-
ber 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 secure those selen-
in fitting them for the responsible positions
of superintendents of mines and mining en-
giEeers. The law needs slight amendment,
so as to provide penalties for violating some
of its provisions.
The railroad interest has continued in q
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
! hovo hoor urrqoaaufnllv
| put on foot, and we may anticipate a mate
rial revival in railroad building during the
| year to come.
/ 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 4t442 men.
This military spirit has been largely stimu-
lated by the industry and zeal of the Adju-
tant-General.
In the interest of the State, and for the
encouragement of the military, the Adjutant
| General has secured a settlement with the
United States under the act of Congress ap-
proved March 3, 1875, whereby the State re-
! ceived credit on its arms and ordnance
account of Sl49, ,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
81, ,320. These arms have been distributed
among the military companies of the State,
and will place them, as lar 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 s., ,235, 1851 all
of which were represented as valid accounts
against the United States. OF this sum
the United States had paid $2,959, ,194.69,
leaving balance outstanding, November
Is, 1875, of $275, ,984.85, on which there was
paid December 81 1875, the sum of S., ,57S.27,
on special settlement forwarded by the Ad-
jutant General, February q, 1875, leaving
balance yet unpaid of $270, ,406.55. This
amount consists in claims that are disallowed
or suspended for want of proper evidence
which it is impossible for the State to obtain.
1t is not probable that any additional num-
ber of these claims can be collected, unless
there is further legislation by Congress.
We have now entered upon the Centennial
wear of our irrational existence. The efforts
which have been made to insure proper
celebration of the important event at the
cIGy OF the QdLlO1 Dlrbu udNc OCCn OAOHASA
with great success. The principal nations
of the world have signifed their intention
to participate, through their representatives
at the national capital, and the President Of
the United States, in his recent message, has
recommended to Congress that it more fully
invest it with national significance. The
different States of the Union are vieing with
each other in friendly and patriotic rivalry
in the effort to make a creditable exhibl-
ton of their growth and resources;
and Ohio, the third in population and
wealth, and the equal of any in its natural
resources, should not lack in appreciation
of the interesting event, or lag in its efforts
to make such an exhibition as will give 1t
its proper place in the rank of States. Our
efficient Board of State Centennial Managers
have been laboring with great energy, and
are eheered by the belief that their efforts
have been successful in creating an interest
which will insure sucn a representation as
will be a matter of pride to every citizen OF
the State. | respectfully recommend that
you grant them such reasonable aid as they
may require to complete their arrangements
and secure the success of their labors.
In this connection it may be matter
worthy of consideration whether just ap-
probation of the benefits secured to us by
the Declaration of Independence, and the
innumerable blessings which have followed
in their train, will not Justify celebration
under State auspices st the State Capitol on
the coming Fourth day OF July. ltseemsto to