The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1880-01-15
Governor Pishopsss Message.

Governor Bishops Message.
The annual message of Governor
Bishop was submitted to the Legisla.
ture on the first day of its session,
January 5th. 1t is a business like doc.
ument dealing altogether with ques-
tions of importance to the people OF
Ohio. Its great length precludes our
publishing it at length at this late day,
but we publish the following import
ant facts and figures gathered from it
The public debt of Ohio aggregates
So, ,257,000. of which amount $4l, ,49O,-
574 are local debts contracted by
counties, townships and villages. The
taxes collected during tho past year
aggregates $2S, ,559, ,765, of which amt
$2l, $4,000 were for county and local
taxes.
The public works are reported in ex-
cellent condition and source of reye-
nue. to the State. The gross earnings
for tolls, fines and water rents for the
past year amounted to $219, ,14O, and
expenses we're $1S7,116. The Cover
nor declares that it is no longer
question that these works under State
management are self-sustaining and
worthy OF the fostering care of the
Assembly. Attention is called to the
great improvement Of the State Ma.
tional Guard, and recommendation is
made that the present plan Of consoli-
datlon shall be continued. The be-
nevolent institutions are reported in
excellent condition, and recommends
ton is made that reformatory prison
be erected; that district warehouses
should be provided, and in case
children's homes are not provided in
all counties by given time, that each
county thus derelict shall be required
to send all children remaining in coun-
ty infirmaries to the nearest children's
home; also that an additional asylum
be hailt fer -&Ae-eaFe- -of-insane- -critai-
nails and epileptic insane.
Special attention is called to the ex-
cellent condition of the penitentiary
and the abolition of the extreme pun
ishments, including the "ducking tub"
dungeon" and ''thumb screw" The
Governor insists that with decrease
of punishment, good order, discipline
and health have increased among the
convicts.
The State University now has pu-
pills from 81 counties, and is COM
mended as worthy of further care.
The message urges the importance of
granting additional powers to the
State Insurance Commissioners, so as
to allow him to decide as to the sound
ness of fire insurance companies doing
business in Ohio. The Legislature is
called upon to pass a law providing
for Board of Arbitration as ike best
method to prevent strikes among la.
boring men, and also laws to prevent
incompetent persons from running
engines. Attention is call
ed to the decrease of railroad debts
during the past year, owing to increas-
ed traffic. The suggestion is made
that in view of the recent revision of
the statutes few laws should be passed
this winter, and none to take effect at
once.
The message closes by recommend
ing the bringing of all possible influ-
ence to bear upon Congress to secure
the improvement of the Ohio river,
the desirability that the Legislature
should provide for the further geolog-
ical survey of Ohio mineral fields, that
renewed liberality should be shown
to public schools, and appropriations
made for the erection of an Executive
mansion.
BOD INGERSOLL.SP POWER OVER
A JURY.
James Redpath tells the following
anecdote about Bob Ingersoll's power
over jury.
A farmer was on trial for murder.
He had shot one of his neighbeors
dead. I have forgotten the details.
The evidence was conclusive as to the
killing and who did it; but it could
not be construed to show that the slay-
Or might have cause to think that he
was acting in self defense.
WhenColonel Ingersoll was address
ng the jury he drew a poetical picture
Of his clients wife and children at
nome-he had refused to allow the
wife or children to be present, as a |
ess skillful advocate would have done
and then he said that even at that
the loving wife was standing
It the door, with the sunlight ON her
ace, waiting to welcome the husband
pack to his fresida, and the little hnya
we're swinging on the gate, and look
ng from time to time along the road,
to see him come, and jump
nto his arms and kiss him. &" And
won't you let him go home ?" he asked.
rhe jury were listening with moist |
,yes, and leaning forward in their |
Ieats. The foreman, great, sturdy |
armer, with tears running down his
Jun Drowned cheeks-as if the ques-
ion had been asked for immediate in
ormation-nodded his head and said
Yes, by thunder, Bob, We'll let him
70 home to 'em."
Ingersoll had not half finished his
but he sat down at once.
Pho Prosacntino Aff0rnav made q |