The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1876-01-06


his power tor 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 IN
stitutions. 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
cannot be proved against him, he cannot
be touched. / 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 mot political)---
being required to report his action and
his reason therefor to the Senate, imme-
diately, if in session, and if not in ses'
sion, within ten days after the COM
mencement of the next session OF the
General Assembly, for its approval; the
suspension to become an absolute re-
moval, if concurred in by the Senate.
A recent decision of the Supreme
Court, putting an Interpretation upon
the term vacancy" as used in our laws,
entirely different from the understand
ing of myself and my predecessors, may
require some action on the part Of the
General Assembly, Section 5 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 until a
successor to his appointee shall be con-
firmed and qualified" 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 Constitution. The
Court has decided otherwise, and, |
think, the General Assembly should de-
clare by statute that the expiration of q
term of Office creates vacancy" in the
meaning of the laws, where the Cover
nor is authorized to fill vacancies "occa-
stoned by death, resignation, or other
WISE" The Executive should have the
power to make his appointment 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 the officials up to the time Of the
expiration of their terms, instead of be-
ing compelled 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 Off
Ger is appointed should most certainly
constitute vacancy which the Governor
should have power to fill, as he is now
authorized to fill vacancies occasioned
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 number of serious and fatal accidents
have materially decreased. The opera
tors are generally satisfied with the law
and the manner of its enforcement, and
the miners are grateful for the many
changes conducting to their safety and
health. 1t has been suggested that a De-
partment of Mining might be advanta-
geously connected with the Agricultural
and Mechanical College, offering young
men an opportunity to secure those
scientific requirements which will ma
terially aid in fitting them for the respon,
sibe positions of Superintendents oi
Mines, and Mining Engineers. The law
needs slight amendment, so as to pro.
vide penalties for violating some of its
provisions.
: The railroad interest has continue in
depressed state. But little more thar
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 material revival in
railroad building during the year to come
During the past year more than ordi.
nary zeal manifested itself in the State
for the organization of military compan.
les. Fifty-one new organizations were
formed. The total force of the State, al
this time, is four battalions, and fifty.
nine unattached companies Of infantry
and eleven artillery companies, constitu.
ting an effectihe body of four thousand
fonr hundred and forty-two men. This
military spirit has been largely stimu.
lated by the industry and zeal of the
Adiutant General.
In the interest of the State, and for the
encouragement of the military, the Ad-
, jutant General has secured settlement
with he United States, under the act Of
, Congress approved March 3, 1875, where.
by the State received credit on its arms
{ and ordinance account of $149,800,05
which settled all the Indebtedness of the
State to the United States for arms drawn
in 1868, and placed to the credit of the
{ State the sum of $44,771 IA in arms, W on
, which acquisitions have been made fol
improved arms to the amount of $44, 800
, 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 collectible 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 presented as
valid accounts against the United States.
, Of this sum the United States had paid
1859 1874 SO, leaving balance outstand-
ing, November Is, 1876, of$275, ,984,S2, on
which there was paid December q, 1875,
the sum of $5,578,27, on special settle
ment awarded by the Adjutant General,
February 81, 1875. leaving balance yet
unpaid of $270,406,55. This amount
consists in claims that are disallowed OF
suspended for want of proper evidence,
which it is impossible for the State to OBJ
tain. 1t is not probable that any additi-
onal number of these claims can be col
lected, unless there is further legislation
by Congress.
We have now entered upon the Cen
tennial year of our national existence.
The efforts which have been made to in
sure a proper celebration of the import
ant event at the city of the Nations
birth have been crowned with great sue
cess. The principal Nations of the