The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-01-17

This l know is impossible; tor the wlsest
legislation is at best but an expedient,
and often falls far short of meeting the
public need. Still if this be true of the
wisest, then it must be apparent to all,
that inconsiderate and unwise legislation
will only MIKE matters worse instead of
better. Hence, while / would urge upon
your attention the importance of such
legislation as will help to restore conf
dence in financial affairs, and bring &C
tivity and energy again to our business
circles, | would at the same time warn
you that this relief must come mainly by
instituting vigorous reforms, rather
than by high sounding statutory enact
ments.
Close related to the matters already
considered, is what is usually called the
Labor Question, and which has recently
been forced upon our attention with very
decided emphasis. In your deliberations
you cannot safely ignore this question.
Hence hope it wilfreceive a thorough
and candid consideration. The proper,
adjustment of capital and labor has
long occupied the most thoughtful at
tention of some of the wisest statesmen
and profoundest philosophers. And in
country like ours, where prosperity
depends so much upon this adjustment,
it is not strange that every earnest
patriot should feel anxious to reach the
wisest conclusions in reference to this
important matter. It should be your
purpose as far as possible, to avoid all
distlnctively class legislation; for, as
general rule, this kind of legislation is
ruinous to the bestinterests of fthecountry
In fact, too much of tbs one of the evils
with which we are at present cursed !;
hence YOU can not be too careful when
dealing with such subjects as the rela-
ton of capital and labor; for no legisla-
tion that attempts to build up one of
these at the expense of the other, can
possibly be productive of any substan-
tial good to the people. And should
the suggestions already submitted, in
reference to economy, be carried out in
your deliberations, then ! am satisfied
that very little, if any, legislation will
be needed to restore harmony between
capital and labor, and make them what
they ought to be, and what they really
must be, if either is successful, hearty
co-operant in all that relates to the ma
terial growth and prosperity of the
country.
do not wish to consume your time on
the present occasion in particularizing,
since it will be my pleasure from time
to time, should | deem it necessary, to
communicate with you in special mes
sages concerning matters which 1 can
not now even hint at. But I feel that
there are some things which ought to
| receive your immediate attention, and ]
RI q
few of them. -
The present condition of the Pub
lie Works should be carefully and
thoroughly investigated. Recently there
has been considerable excitement grow
ing out of the fact that the lessees OF
these works have virtually repudiated
! their contract with the State. The mat
ter has been submittd to the courts for
adjudication, and though a decision
may be reached at an early day, still
the whole subject is of such vital i'm
portance that you should not fail to give
it full and candid investigation not
4 only as regards the contract referred to
but as regards what shall be done with
these works for the future.
Our State has rightfully given great
prominence to the building and suppor
| of public institutions. In this respec
we stand among the foremost; and O.
this enterprise we have rig ght to b.
proud. Still, all this has cost US i'm
mense outlays of money. But where
judiciously expended, these outlay
ought not to be regretted. But my in
formation is such as to lead me to believ'
that, both in the building and manage
ment of these institutions, much nigh
be saved to the public treasury. l Ger
tainly do not wish to restrain the publ
enterprise and benevolence whicl
prompt the building and sustenance o
these institutions, but | would, at tn
same time, heartily restrain that ten
dency to extravaganza and waste, whicl
often accompanies the most generou
and useful undertakings. In building
houses for the institutions [ think
proper discrimination should be mad
between those intended for the poor AM
unfortunate and those which are fo
criminals. 1t is certainly right an
proper to surround the unfortunate, a
far as possible, with responsibility an
comfort; but it is very questionabl
policy, to say the least, to offer pre-
MUM of these blessings to those VIII
are criminally wicked. All should b
properly provided for; but the purpose
, of some Of these institutions would
better served if they were conducte
upon the principles of a more rigl
) economy than has heretofore character
lied them. At any rate, I am satisfie
, that close investigation on your par
!, will discover the fact that in the futul
much can be saved to the public treasur
without in any way detracting from th
best interests of those persons committe
to their charge.
In reference to the prison system {
, the State, would call your attention
an important suggestion made by tt
Board of State Charities in its rece1
annual report. The report Recommend
, that another State Prison be immed
ately erected, with the capacity for NJ
r exceeding six hundred prisoners. Th
prison to be reformatory, in which tt
: younger prisoners, and those not CO.
7 firmed in the habit of crime, are to
7 treated with view to their reformation
. 1t is also recommended that distri
! work-houses, where every convicte
, criminal shall be compelled to work ar
: earn his living, should be added to tt
: prison system.
S These suggestions are worthy of SCI
e Gus consideration; and, if carried OF
4 will test W at has long been with me
t deep conviction. I hope that you w
g furnish the necessary legislation to ma
C them practical. Of course, this will ]
r quire a considerable appropriation; bl
d in my opinion, there is nothing, whi
!, money is likely to be called for, that
Ii more deserving
q The improvement of the navigation
II the Ohio River is properly the busin'
OF the General Government; nevertl
il less, it is matter in which the citize
le of our State are deeply interested, al
al as it has been your habit to give sol
le attention to it, you should, during yo
= present session, give it such conside
N tiou as its Importance may demand.
a. 1t is certainly cause for congratu
De ton that amicable relations between I