The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1878-01-17
TALKS.
HIS INAUGURAL ADDRESS,

HIS INAUGURAL ADDRESS,
The Inauguration of Governor r.
NJ. Bishop took place at Columbus on
Monday. Immense crowds were in
to witness the ceremonies.
The following is the Governors
INAUGURAL ADDRESS:
of the General Assembly,;
In accordance with the usual custom
it becomes my duty, as the Governor
elect of this Commonwealth, to appear
before you, and in your presence to
take the oath of Office. Aud it becomes
my duty also to call your attention
to such matters as [ may deem i'm
portant to the best interests of the
State you represent. Happily, my
predecessor has left me
very little to do in this last respect.
At the opening of your session, in his
annual message, he submitted to you q
statement of the con-
ditiOn of the several executive depart
ments of the government, and cOnse-
Quently all that is necessary for me to
do now is to urge upon your attention
those matters only which deem OF
such grave importance as to deserve
very special mention.
Among the first and most impera-
tive things demanding your attention,
is the present financial distress Of the
am not unmindful that
this is generally regarded as q national
question, and consequently some may
consider any discussion of it here as
quite out OF place. But little reflec
lion may help US to see that this very
view of the matter contributes largely
TO the distress of which we complain.
1t is very common habit to refer our
grievances to causes as far from home
as possible: and consequently our
to hold our national Con-,
gress entirely responsible for the pres-
ent financial condition of the country,
is precisely what might be expected
But it may be worth while to serious
ly ask the question: Is this view con-
sistent with the facts III the case? 1
do not wish you to under
stand me as apologizing on behalf of
our national Congress for any unwise
or injudIciOus legislation; or even
failure to give the legislation that is
needed. What l mean to say is, that
our real aud permanent help must
come from economical living and ju-
dicious leg gisiStiOn a. home. We must
begin The work of reform in our own
State government. Hence l would
call your attention to the i'm
pOrtance of such enactments as will
secure AN honest administration and
rigid economy in all the departments
OF our State service. e-. .tr... el..
In republican government all civil
reform must, for the most part, be the
outgrOwth of virtuous aud ecODom-
ical people; and as your Assembly is
very closely related to the peopleTbe-
ing in tact composed of the peoples
immediate representatives-its should
be your sonstanl aim to set an exam-
pie in the character OfyOur legislation,
such as shall be worthy to be initiated
by our nOtional representatives. When
we have secured tor ourselves the
right kind of record at home, we can
then hope that our influence will be
potent in the higher councils OF the
nation, in securing for the whole poo
pie that ' ,etreDchment and reform"
which, I am thoroughly convinced,
must ante date any permanently
healthful condition OF our financial at
fairs. 1 .H 4.4r ii .lan--. Sc. ~.
, I do not wish to convey the idea
that you will be able to successfully
overcome all the evils of which the
people con- plain. This L know is i'm
possible; for the wisest legislation is
at best but an expedient,F 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 in
cOnsiderate and. unwise legislation
will only make matters worse instead
of better. Hence, white would urge
upon your attention the importance
OF such legislation as will help to re-
store confidence in financial affairs,
and energy again to our business cir
cles, l would at the same time warn
you that this relief must come mainly
by institnting vigorous reforms. rather
than by high sounding statuary enact.
ments. ni Ha
Closely related to the matters al
ready considered, is what is called the
Labor Question, and which has recent.
iy been forced upon our attention
with very decided emphasis. Hence
l hope it will receive II most thorough
and candid consideration. The proper
adjustment of capital and labor has
long occupied the most thoughtful at
tenlion OF come of the wisest states
men and profoundest philosophers.
Aud in a country like ours, where
prosperity depends SO much upon this
adjustment, it is not strange thut every
earnest patriot should feel anxious to
reach the wisest conclusions in refer
ence to this important matter. 1t
should be your purpose, as far as. pos
sible, to avoid all distinctively class
legislation, for, as general rule, this
kind OF legislation is ruinous to the
best Interests of the country. Intact,
TOO much OF it is one OF the evils with
which We are at present cursed hence
you cannot be too caref ul when deal
ing with such subjects as the relation
OF capital and labor, and make them
what they ought to be, and what they
must be, il either is successful, hearty
co-operants in all that relates to the
material growth and prosperity Of the
country.
Is do not wish to consume your time
on the present occasion in particular
lang, since it will b. my pleasure, from
time 10 time, should deem it neces-
sary, to communicate with you in
special messages concerning matters
which cannot now even hint at. But
/ feel that there are some things which
ought to receive your immediate at
tention, and therefore deem it proper
to specify few of them. -
The present condition of the public
words should be carefully and thor
oughly Investigated. Recently there
has been considerable excitement
growing out of the fact that the lcssees
OF these works have virtually repudl
ated their contract with the State The
matter has been submitted to the
oour.s for adjudication, and though a
decision may be reached at an early
day, still the whole subject is of such
vital importance that you should not
fail to give it full and candid iuves-
tigatiOn; not only as regards the con-
tract referred to. but as regards what
shall be done with these works for the
future. '''" 'i
nur Stot hoe rio fu lu tfr; vo,, yroof