The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1878-01-17

TO Do prOuu, bull, all tnlB mas COBt us
immense outlaya of money. But where
judiciously y expended, these outlays ought
not to be regretted. But my information
is sush as to lead me to believe that, both
in the building and management of these
institutions, much might be saved to the
public treasury, certainly do not wieh
to restrain the public enterprise and be-
nevolenCe which prompt the building
and sustenance of these institutions, but
/ would, at the same time, heavily re-
strain that tendency to extravaganza and
waste, which often accompanies the most
generous and useful undertakings. In
building houses for the institutions, l
think proper discrimination should be
made between those intended for the
poor and unfortunate and those which
are for criminals. 1t is certainly right
and proper to surround the unfortunate,
as far as possible, with respectability and
comfort; but it is very questionable poll
cy, to say the least, to offer a premium
of these blessings to those who are GRIM
inally wicked. All should be properly
provided for; but the purpose ofsome of
these institutions would be better served
if they were conducted upon the princi-
pies of more rigid economy than has
heretofore characterized them. At any
rate, am satisfied that a close investiga.
ton, on your part, will discover the fact
that in the future much can be saved to
the public treasury without, in any way.
detracting from the best interests of
those persons committed to their charge
In reference to the prison system of
the State, would call your attention to
an important suggestion made by the
Board of State Charities in its recent an
nual report. The report recommends
that another State prison be immediate
ly erected, with the capacity for not ex-
Ceeding six hundred prisoners. This
prison to be a refOrmatory, in which the
younger prisoners, and those not con-
firmed in the habit of crime, are to be
treated with view to their reformation.
1t is also recommended that district work
houses, where every convicted criminal
shall be compelled to work and earn his
living, should be added TO the prison
system.
These suggestions are worthy of seri-
GUS consideration; and, if carried out, will
test what has long been with me deep
conviction. hope that you will furnish
the necessary legislation to make them
practical. Of course, this will require a
considerable appropriation; but, in my
opinion, there is nothing, which money
is likely to be called for, that is more de-
serving.
The improvement of the navigation of
the Ohio river is properly the business
of the general government; nevertheless,
it is a matter in which the citizens of our
State are deeply interested, and, as it has
been your habit to give some attention
to it, you should, during your present
session. give it such consideration as its
importance may demand.
It is certainly cause for congratua-
ton that amicable relations between the
recently distracted portions of our Coun-
try seem to he now entirely restored.-
The people of this State cannot be indif-
ferent to whatever will tend to preserve
these relations and promote commercial
intercourse with the Southern States. 1t
is believed that the Cincinnati Southern
Railway, which bids fair to soon be COM
pleted, will prove an efficient agent in
both of these respects. 1t should, there
fore, receive your hearty encouragement;
not only because of the high public spir.
it which it represents, but also for the
reason that it will assist, by bands OF
steel, to unite more closely the ties Of
sympathy which now hold together the
North and the South.
The registration law, as passed by the
last Legislature, upon fair trial, proved
to be not only inconvenient and trouble.
some, but extremely expensive. II
should, therefore, either be repealed, OF
so amended as to make it more accepta.
BILE to the people.
There are at least three public grievan,
ces which should receive from you the
same preliminary treatment. l refer tC
our unequal, unjust, and, therefore, com
paratively unproductive system of taxa
ton; our clumsy, exceedingly dilatory
and general odius system of courts, or ju'
dietary; and our confused, extravagant
and badly managed system ofmunicipal
or city and town government. l cannot
enlarge upon the importance of these
subjects now, further than to say that
should you be able to find and provide
remedies which will give us fair taxes
speedy justice, and economy in city gov.
ernment, you will undoubtedly perform
work for your State which will com
mand and receive the cordial approba
ton of all honest and good citizens.
AS a step antecedent to any legislation
that may be needed, would recommend
that you, either by commission or by
Joint committee, cause thorough inves
tigation of each of these subjects; requir,
ing the commission or committee to take
testimony, both oral and documentary
so as to obtain full and Authentic
knowledge of the facts; and after duly
considering any and all plans that may
be suggested, to report by bill or other.
wise, such amendments to existing laws
as will cure existing evils
This plan will furnish what the Legys-
lature has not yet had before it, viz: A
thorough knowledge of the facts, and this
knowledge, it seems to me, is all i'm
portant before any legislation should be
attempted on subjects of such vital con-
sequence.
1 am especially solicitous that some
thing shall be done in this direction to
provide against the evils of our present
system of municipal government, Our
cities are becoming, more and more ev-
cry day, great centres of social, CONNER
cial and political influence, and as they
continue to grow in power and import
ance, the problem of their proper gov
ernment challenges the gravest consid-
Grafton of the most enlightened states
manship. And not the least difficult fea-
ture of this problem is how to reach the
best results without endangering the
right of selfgovernmentP
This, l believe, should be faithfully
guarded, for no other benefit however
valuable, could possibly compensate for
any material loss of this right.
In concluding these brief suggestions,
I wish TO urge upon YOU the Importance